Residents get clarity on fibre optic cable project
SYDENHAM – Fibrehoods explains to residents why it is installing fibre optic cable poles in their street.
A Sydenham resident who wishes to remain anonymous is concerned about work that was done along 10th Avenue.
During December last year, a team of men on bikes and in vans spent several days intently examining and measuring the pavement up and down 10th Avenue.
According to the resident, signs appeared at different intervals with the company’s name, Fibrehood, and there were no other details as to who they were or how one could contact them. This was followed by teams of workers digging up the pavement.
Tall gum poles that had a strong creosote smell were then placed in the holes. The poles were all placed on the eastern side of the road, whereas the electricity poles are on the western side, which gave the road a hemmed-in feel. The surrounding excavations were then closed, workers disappeared and all was quiet again, except for random inspections.
On 9 February, 10th Avenue buzzed with activity again and teams of men removed the poles and closed up the holes. When asked why all this work was taking place again, a Sydenham resident was informed by a worker that they had put the poles on the wrong side of the road and they were supposed to be placed next to the electricity poles.
Paul van Vuuren, programme manager for Fibrehood said, “We are currently in discussions with all relevant parties and residents’ associations in the area regarding our fibre-to-the-home infrastructure. The original pole positions were altered to optimise the design and we will ensure that all reinstatements are done accordingly.
“This has all been and will be funded privately by ourselves. As we add to the infrastructure in the area, we also uplift the community by offering free Internet to all [Gauteng Department of Education-] or Independent Examinations Board-registered primary and secondary schools.”
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