The picturesque seaside town of Tenby in Wales attracts around two million visitors annually, praised for its pastel-colored harbor, medieval walls, sandy beaches, Norman castle, and independent eateries. However, a significant flaw has emerged: it is a mobile phone 'dead zone.'
Worst Mobile Signal in the UK
Consumer experts at Which revealed that Tenby's postcode SA70 is the worst in the UK for mobile network quality, with only 54.3% of the time experiencing a 'good' connection. For Three network users, this drops to 38%. Issues stem from Vodafone removing its mast near Tenby months ago; a replacement BT/EE mast is approved but not yet built.
Local Frustration
Henry Tufnell, MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, stated that residents and businesses are being 'failed' by poor coverage. He wrote to EE and BT, demanding urgent improvements. Vodafone and Three apologized in April, citing the decommissioned mast and working on temporary solutions.
Locals report daily challenges. Chris Brookfield, founder of Around Tenby and Chamber of Trade member, says the lack of signal affects parking apps, maps, card payments, and safety. 'This is not just about scrolling Facebook—people miss calls, can't contact family, and struggle with parking apps,' he told Metro.
Social media users describe the situation as 'dire,' 'appalling,' and 'hopeless.' A Reddit user noted that pay-by-phone parking apps are useless without signal. A former taxi driver said taking payments was a 'lottery.' Some businesses are considering switching to Starlink.
Still a Gem
Despite the issues, Brookfield insists Tenby remains 'beautiful, independent, full of character.' He recommends harbor walks, coastal paths, boat trips, and exploring the old town walls and independent shops. 'The mobile signal issue is real, but Tenby is still one of the best places in the UK,' he added.
