SOMETIMES it feels like Oxford is still living in an age as old as its historic buildings.

While superfast broadband and 4G are revolutionising the way we commmunicate and do business, it beggars belief that getting a good phone signal can still be a problem in the city.

Surely we have reached the point where decent coverage should be the norm?

It is a vital part of everyday life, especially with the rise of mobile phones leading to the decline in pay phones.

No bars on your phone can be expected in the middle of the countryside, with masts few and far between, and only a few customers needing them.

But in a bustling city that is often at the forefront of scientific achievement and looking to continue to prosper economically, it should not be the case.

The reasons for the blackouts are wide-ranging but ultimately rest on co-operation between all parties. Phone operators need to work hard to get more masts installed and agree on allowing customers to connect to rivals’ masts in dead spots if needed.

The city council must be open to planning applications for new masts in the knowledge without them the city and its frustrated residents suffer.

And landowners must be willing to make plots available to house the masts.

Without this, we will continue to live in the digital dark ages while our rivals speed ahead on the communications superhighway.