MOBILE phone giant Vodafone have come under relentless attack via the internet, by post and phone for the past two weeks from their customers in the Redbrook, Staunton, Penallt and Newland areas due to the fact that their phones are inoperative.

Some reports which have been received by the Review also claim that signals are out for parts of Monmouth and the villages towards Skenfrith. For some the problems began back on March 19 when their phone signals vanished, and so far (at press time on Tuesday) have not yet returned.

But the true wrath of the customers who have been cut off has been reserved for the way that Vodafone have treated their problems, and their lack of response to the issue, which has continued throughout the duration of the problem.

Allegations have been made that the company have also removed the complaint forum from their website to avoid recriminatory comments, while there have also been some reports that they have also removed Facebook comments that refer to the situation.

A spokeswoman for Vodafone told the Review: "We're aware we have some network problems in Redbrook and surrounding areas. We're sorry customers are being inconvenienced and our engineers are working to get the service up and running as soon as possible."

She added: "We believe the fault lies with a link which connects the affected masts into the network. We are treating this as a priority."

However, many residents who have not had a phone signal for many days are not impressed with either the breakdown itself, or to Vodafone's responses to their pleas for information about when the problem would be fixed.

One resident from the Wye Valley took their protest to the Vodafone shop in Hereford where they allegedly told customers in the shop not to buy into that network, and were consequently asked by staff to leave.

"This wouldn't be allowed to happen in a city," commented one Redbrook resident, "but because we are out here in the sticks they think they can treat us any way they like. It's disgusting really, and it might be an inconvenience to some of us, but think what it must be doing to local businesses who rely on their mobiles for work, bookings and appointments."

She added: "It could also be dangerous if someone needed the emergency services in a hurry. People in Penallt and Newland would have to race around and find somebody with another phone signal, because neither of those villages has a public phone box. There are also lots of parents living locally who need to keep in contact with their children and the schools at all times."

•Have you had problems with mobile phone or internet reception in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley area? Contact the Review editorial team on 01594 841113.