ISSUES relating to cellular network connections in the south have resulted in efforts by certain entities partnering to boost network in the south.
Some residents are pleased that the cellular network antennas of Vodacom, MTN, Telkom and Cell C have been installed in street light poles in Glenvista, Mulbarton and recently Mayfield Park.
Other residents are not so happy.
There are some residents who have called the poles an eyesore, which will result in their property value going down. They have complained that they were not consulted about the antennas.
Other worries extend to the health implications of the new cellular antennas being installed in residential areas.
Mr Goosen said he had no idea what was going on when contractors from Vodacom put up the pole at his neighbour’s house.
“This is a residential area, why did they put it up here? They could have put it in the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve,” he said.
His neighbour, Mr Molete, was also unhappy about not being afforded the opportunity to have a say about the antenna before it was installed directly opposite his house.
“I think it’s an eyesore and that they could have put it elsewhere, because it’s directly opposite my house. I was never consulted,” said Mr Molete.
Cllr Paul Smit commented on the mixed feelings by residents on the antennas.
“The antennas are a booster for the network because residents have been complaining about signal. It’s a bit frustrating, because when there is no network I speak to Vodacom and the residents complain when the antennas are put up.”
Cllr Smit said he also only discovered about the project of installing cellular network antennas in residential areas when the one on Laubscher Street in Glenvista went up.
Clr Smit added that most of the antennas will be installed on existing street light poles.
