Fibre installations back on track after vote for continuation
After having put the project on pause for a few weeks after outcry from local residents, the fibre installation company Evotel continued their project this week.
Fibre installation efforts by the internet service provider Evotel recommenced on Monday, 25 February after a public voting session about the issue was held in association with local ward councillors.
Earlier in the year, Evotel moved its project into certain suburbs of Krugersdorp, planting creosoted poles on sidewalks from which their fibre cables would be suspended.
A Facebook post from one of the residents rallied concerned home owners together in opposition to the project. A meeting was then held on 28 January, where ward council members acted as mediators between the concerned residents and Evotel representatives.
Read more here:
https://www.citizen.co.za/krugersdorp-news/372708/major-resistance-against-fibre-installation/
It was found that the residents present at the meeting had a problem with the aerial installation option used by the company. They came to the conclusion that they would prefer the fibre cables to be installed underground in trenches. The problem was that this option was far too expensive, would take too long, would have a high risk of damage if the municipality need to work on wires or pipes on the sidewalks, and the repair times on the cables would increase drastically.
A formal voting process was started in which the residents of various neighbourhoods were invited to vote on how to move forward, and the votes were tallied on Wednesday, 20 February.
The results were heavily in favour of Evotel continuing its aerial installations – 166 verified voters in Rant-en-Dal voted for operations to continue, and 39 voted against it. Something similar was found in Dan Pienaarville and Krugersdorp North, with 160 for and 22 against, and 72 for and two against respectively. The percentage of favourable votes ranged from 81 to 92 per cent and Evotel was allowed to continue its operations, meaning that residents in these areas will soon have access to high speed fibre internet.
The company has also started planting flags displaying its contact details at specific locations where the poles are to be erected. Concerned residents may contact the company if they have any valid problems with the planned placements.
