Yes, the terrestrial vhf/uhf signals are very poor in rural areas. Where I live we can only receive 3 of the 4-5 available terrestrial channels. When something goes wrong we are subject to viewing snowy channels for weeks or more.
Best of all, a local organisation goes around door to door collecting money to maintain the mast that provides the service

. Neither the mast nor the quality of service are covered by your licence fee! At least not around here.
Even though you pay a licence fee, the channels might not be available to you, if this is the case and you choose to get them via satellite. You have to pay again
Welcome to Ireland