MTN says that its plan to deploy antennas on street light poles is on hold, following outcry from local residents who claimed that they were not consulted.<\/p>\n
The operator announced in August that it had begun erecting \u201cpurpose-built pole masts with zero visual impact\u201d around west and northern Johannesburg to improve network coverage and quality.<\/p>\n
It came after the network revealed in January 2014 that it had an infrastructure deal with City Power.<\/p>\n
MTN said that City Power awarded it a 3-year contract following a request for proposals on City Power\u2019s plan to commercialise its infrastructure.<\/p>\n
The areas targeted was to include a number of suburbs in Randburg, Fourways, Bryanston, and Saxonworld.<\/p>\n
MTN told BusinessTech that residents in Bryanston complained that they had not been consulted over the installation process, citing environmental legislation and bylaws relating to tower mast health and safety.<\/p>\n
MTN said that it had been informed by City Power that complications with the project had meant that it would be put on hold.<\/p>\n
City Power did not respond to calls and emails from BusinessTech.<\/p>\n
Each pole site has a coverage radius of 400\u2013600 meters, and the number of poles that will be installed will depend on customer density in the targeted areas.<\/p>\n
MTN had hoped to complete the first phase of the project by the end of December, while the second phase of the project would be determined by customer requirements.<\/p>\n
However, the project is now on indefinite hold, and is subject to further instruction from City Power.<\/p>\n
In a recent opinion piece on BusinessDay,<\/a> Karen Heese<\/span>, Municipal IQ\u2019s economist, said that MTN is entitled to replace 110,000 lampposts throughout Johannesburg with mini-masts under the contract.<\/p>\n “While MTN has argued the poles are hard to distinguish from ordinary lighting poles, they are considerably larger and more unsightly than street lights, with a box at the base.”<\/p>\n “MTN dismisses the health implications as being within World Health Organisation norms, but the basis for this assurance is vague and appears not to have been independently verified.”<\/p>\n Vodacom meanwhile, said last month that it is also investigating the possibility of converting street light posts into mini antenna towers.<\/p>\n While the initiative is still in its early stages, the operator said it is targeting about 100 sites in Johannesburg.<\/p>\nMore on MTN<\/h3>\n