I gave Tel$tra the flick 10 years ago due to their (lack of) service, rudeness and lack of understandable call centres and now use Virgin (Optus). As for remote areas I have a sat phone for emergencies only (no sim). I lived without mobile sevices for most of my working life so am not to dedicated to them other than to make or receive calls and don't use it for anything else unlike the modern generation. Change carriers and make a change to your life for the better with less stress.
Pete