Santa Pola has joined the national rollout of next-generation mobile networks with the introduction of 4G and 5G in the 800 and 700 MHz bands, respectively. Telefónica, Vodafone, and Orange have started the deployment process in the municipality, allowing residents and visitors to enjoy high-speed mobile connections, better coverage even within buildings, and increased penetration in regions where signal strength was previously limited.
The deployment is being carried out gradually in accordance with the terms of Royal Decree 579/2019, which reorganised the radio spectrum to enable the expansion of next-generation mobile telephony. Previously, the frequencies between 694 and 790 MHz were designated for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), which was known as the Second Digital Dividend. Since then, certain bands have been allocated to mobile operators.
Advantages for Users and Companies
The Santa Pola City Council claims that activating these bands significantly improves the quality of mobile services. Download and upload data speeds have increased dramatically, allowing for the usage of high-definition video platforms, online video games, and data-intensive apps at home and at work.
In addition to technical advancements, the new networks provide higher inside penetration, which is especially advantageous in older residences or small city streets, and they alleviate coverage issues in challenging terrain. This reinforcement will also help to increase the usage of digital tools in local government and the business community. Mobility applications containing multimedia material, high-quality video calls, and remote services will become more accessible and reliable.
The utilisation of the 700 MHz band in 5G and the 800 MHz band in 4G not only enhances coverage but also allows for wider geographic extension of the service, reaching out to peripheral areas of the municipality more effectively.
Llega700: remedy for DTT difficulties
To ensure compatibility between the new mobile services and the DTT signal, operators have activated Llega700’s service, which is responsible for addressing any television reception issues produced by the new mobile broadcasts at no charge.
If subscribers encounter interference after activating the new base stations, Llega700 offers free technical support. To that purpose, it has established a freephone number, 900 833 999, and a website, www.llega700.es, where people may browse a map of active zones and request assistance.
A new app to report municipal incidents
In parallel with the private sector’s technological commitment, the Santa Pola City Council has announced a new measure to strengthen its modernisation process: the creation of a municipal mobile app that allows citizens to report incidents on public roads quickly, directly, and with real-time monitoring.
The initiative arose from a public survey, the findings of which revealed a clear preference for the digitalisation of these services. More than 60% of participants said the best approach to report urban concerns was through a single mobile app. The majority of respondents were above the age of 36, and while nearly 40% reported an incident, generally over the phone, the overall impression of existing approaches was neutral.
The upcoming app will not only allow users to report problems but will also include emergency warnings, City Council announcements, local news, important phone numbers, facility schedules, and other pertinent content. The City Council’s purpose is to improve communication with residents, boost the effectiveness of municipal responses, and strengthen institutional openness.
The governing team emphasises that this digital tool adheres to both the Mayor’s Office guidelines and the City Council’s technical criteria and that its implementation will be a significant step forward in the municipality’s digitalisation, efficiency, and proximity to citizens strategy.
With the convergence of these two initiatives—the upgrading of mobile infrastructure by operators and the future municipal app—Santa Pola accelerates its progress towards a smart, connected municipality model that serves its people.
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