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Anaglogs Daughter
17 May 13 13:33
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Date Joined: 05 Jan 10
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Friday, May 17, 2013
Gloucestershire Echo
By STEVEN IMPEY


TALKS are taking place between Cheltenham Racecourse and organisers of Glastonbury in an effort to improve phone signals at the course.

Complaints about a lack of mobile phone coverage at Prestbury Park has forced bosses to seek ways of improving reception.

Punters were unable to make calls or place bets on their smart phones.

Additional masts were put up at this year's festival, but it did not have the impact organisers had hoped with many of the 235,000 visitors left out of reach.

Chief executive Ian Renton said: "We regularly meet other major sports event organisers – the likes of Twickenham and Wembley – and we all have the same problem.

"But in the case of racing, it is exacerbated by the wish to use mobile phones for betting, which is obviously different to all other sporting venues.

"It is something we are very keen on resolving but, at the moment, we don't have the answer."

It is understood Mr Renton will hold meetings with organisers at Glastonbury before and after the event in June.

EE confirmed it will be offering 4G internet roaming at the event to improve reception for excited music fans.

Proposals are not finalised for Cheltenham 2014, but the racecourse is holding discussions with a number of mobile phone providers.

But increasing phone signal may be a blow to bookies who have remained loyal to more traditional methods of taking bets.

BBC Sport racing journalist Frank Keogh said: "It can be frustrating for racegoers when they cannot get a signal because it affects their enjoyment on a great occasion.

"But, equally, if the signal is improved, it will have a knock- on effect for bookmakers while people make bets online.

"Having been at the Cheltenham races as a punter and a journalist, there are more complaints recently that people cannot get signal on their mobile phones.

"But this is not only a Cheltenham problem – anyone who has been to a Premier League football match will know how difficult it is to get signal.

"The very fact Cheltenham is considering ways to improve phone signal as part of its new developments should be applauded."

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/Cheltenham-racecourse-bosses-finally-sort-mobile/story-19013355-detail/story.html#ixzz2TYEI4xcY
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Report thegalwayman May 17, 2013 1:46 PM BST
If there is such interest in resolving this issue then why do all racecards published by this organisation contain a notice stating that you are prohibited from using your mobile phone to strike a bet?
Report tony57 May 17, 2013 2:21 PM BST
ive never known a course like it!..impossable to make a call..this years festival was spent inbetween races trying to get a signalCry
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