Time is of the essence in fibre installations in Standerton
Workers were installing cables, working Saturdays and Sundays as well, giving substance to the feeling that time is of the essence.
Fibre-optic cable installations came to stay in Standerton, as well as internet connection in the form of fibre-optic broadband in the area from Appledew Guest House towards the Bethal Road.
Workers were installing cables, working Saturdays and Sundays as well, giving substance to the feeling that time is of the essence.
A resident sent a photo to the Standerton Advertiser on Sunday, 13 December, testifying to the above.
The two companies involved are Telelanga (Pty) Ltd and Mezonet. The newspaper spoke to the latter who denied any affiliation with Telelanga, but an affiliation with Fibretron Fiber Optic Solutions.
In layman’s terms, voice, video, and telemetry are transmitted through local area networks or across long distances. Telecommunication companies use optical fibre for transmission purposes.
According to Mr Deon Lee of Mezonet, locals are employed for the aerial route when poles are planted between trees, to cause as little possible environmental disturbance.
Mezonet indicated that negotiation has to be entered in with a municipality for wayleave, permitting work in any servitude.
A wayleave agreement means a written legal agreement between them and the land or property owner.
Permission is then granted to install, maintain or repair the network equipment on a property.
Mezonet intends to reach Kosmospark and Florapark as well. Telelanga allegedly did not apply for permission at the Lekwa Municipality.
A WhatsApp-message was sent to the communications manager of the municipality, Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, on Tuesday, 15 December, enquiring whether Telelanga has applied for wayleave.
Ms Mtshiselwa confirmed the same day that Telelanga did apply for wayleave.
Rumours were also flying that Telelanga allegedly uses workers from Malawi and Zimbabwe and another resident was of the opinion, that the employees are not South Africans.
A worker said to the newspaper in Beyers Naudé Street on Tuesday, 15 December that no permission was granted to take photos.
Questions were sent to the general manager of Telelanga, Mr Dieter Kusel, the previous day about the time-frame of the installations, the number of workers involved, the nationality of the workers, procedures followed when a pipe was hit, whether permission has been granted, as well as asking what the benefits to the community will be.
The Constitution of South Africa guarantees the right to communicate and Section 106 (1) states that everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes (b) freedom to receive or impart information or ideas.
The Telecommunications Act 103 of 1996 furthermore, regulates telecommunication infrastructure.
A resident asked on social media after a power failure on Saturday, 12 December, whether the fibre-company had anything to do with the interruption. It was also said that a map of the survey of town should surely be at their disposal.
Confusion reigned as to whether Mezonet or Telelanga could be blamed.
According to information, the municipality did fault-finding on some lines, but he onus was on the fibre-company to fix the damaged cable.
No feedback was received from Telelanga at the time of going to press.
