The Discovery Recreation Hall was filled with excited residents attending the public meeting held on 24 August about Vumatel’s optic fibre installation .
The councillor for the ward, Gert Niemand, called the meeting, as it forms part of the public participation process, to ensure residents were informed about the pending installation.
Representatives from Vumatel, including the Head of Department for Aerial Installations, the Senior Project Manager as well as various other team members used the opportunity to address the residents’ concerns.
One of the biggest concerns for residents was how the fibre will be installed. They were reassured that, where possible, City Power’s infrastructure would be used (i.e. street poles), and, where necessary, gumpoles would be planted on sidewalks.
Also Read: Residents to decide future of fibre-optic cabling
Another concern was the lines being installed through trees, but Allan Webb, the Senior Project Manager put their minds to ease. “Optic fibre does not conduct any electricity – like an electricity cable would – so there is no danger in that regard. Also, fibre lines are very strong, and should a tree branch fall on it, it will not break and the damage would be minimal, ensuring minimal down-time,” he said.
Residents were also assured that damage to infrastructure that could lead to power or water outages would be kept to a minimum, and should something happen because of an error, Vumatel will not leave the site until everything is repaired and water or electricity is restored. “We will work together with City Power and/ or Johannesburg Water technicians, and should it be necessary, we will supply generators or water tankers, as we do not shy away from accountability and will always fix our errors,” Allan said.
Gert was very pleased with the number of residents attending the meeting and felt that it was a largely positive one.
“I am generally happy that optic fibre is finally coming to our area, but even happier that we will not have to deal with a trenched installation and all the issues that go with it,” he said.
He added that residents should note that he would not be entertaining any technical complaints about the fibre installation, including residents having problems with their service provider or internet being down. “However, if there is a complaint pertaining to damage to City of Johannesburg infrastructure because of the installation, residents are more than welcome to contact me. Just as long as they do not expect me to connect their fibre,” he said.
Also Read: Planned fibre roll-out for Roodepoort
Residents were assured that the installation would be completed, at the latest, by 25 December.
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