MTN users left without access to network services
The 53 cell towers that have been shut down are based in Tshwane and Johannesburg.
Due to the severe damage and vandalism of cell towers in South Africa, MTN has permanently shut down 53 of its base stations.
The criminal syndicates are targeting the network provider’s towers and this results in MTN losing millions of rand.
An article published in the Business Day on Thursday, 15 August, stated that the company said that hundreds of towers around the country are at risk of being permanently shut down, putting strain on the network and potentially diminishing the quality of the service provided to customers.
It is said that more than 80 cell towers across the country are currently on hold as they await replacement batteries and maintenance fixes.
The 53 that were shut down are based in Tshwane and Johannesburg.
Business Day quoted Ernest Paul, MTN’s General Manager of network operations, who said, “This situation leaves many South Africans without access to network services, either because of downtime caused by repeated maintenance and repairs or in the extreme case of towers being terminated when regular theft and vandalism render towers unsustainable.”
He added that, “This impacts on consumers’ access to emergency services, effective business operations and connecting with loved ones.”
Paul further explained that R350 million is needed to fix the damage and said that people normally think that this type of damage is insured.
However, “While you can get insurance for a major disaster, it is not feasible to insure a base station due to the high level of excess that would apply to claims of this nature,” he said.
Residents are urged to report any suspicious activities seen, either at a site or when someone tries to sell a battery without any branded markings.
