advertisement
Facebook
X
LinkedIn
WhatsApp
Reddit

Link Africa’s stormwater fibre connections likely coming to Cape Town

In September this year, fibre communications company Link Africa won a two-year court battle which allowed it to go ahead and install fibre connections through the City of Tshwane’s network of underground water pipes.

That same idea is now being floated in the Western Cape, as the City of Cape Town is looking to expand its fibre connections with as many internet service providers as possible.

In theory, Link Africa would lease existing City stormwater and sewer pipes in which to install their cables, and thereby provide more people with fibre connections without the need to dig up sidewalks.

But in order for that to happen, a number of steps need to be taken. Most importantly, the Municipal Asset Transfer Regulations must be followed, which dictate that the City must obtain input from all possible stakeholders prior to allocating anyone exclusive rights to make use of public assets.

From today, the public participation process will kick off, with residents in the city urged to submit their comments to their local libraries or sub-council offices if they have any objections.

The City seems to have a firm plan for the underground fibre expansions, as it has already consulted with other parties involved to move the process along.

“In order to broker an agreement that will protect the City’s infrastructure without limiting the realisation of innovative and digitally inclusive technologies, an independent engineer’s assessment and report, as well as extensive negotiations, have thus far taken place. As a result of these engagements, an agreement that protects the residents of Cape Town in the case of pipe blockages and damages has finally been agreed to in principle,” the City of Cape Town said in a statement.

[Image: CC by 2.0/Ted McGrath]

 

advertisement

About Author

advertisement

Related News

advertisement