The policy aims to accommodate the accelerated deployment of electronic communications networks, such as LTE and 5G networks.
The policy gives mobile networks and other licensees the right to select, enter, and use public or private land for the deployment of their network infrastructure.
Any infrastructure built on this land would belong to the network which built it, and property owners are directed to avoid damage to the facilities built on their property…. Additionally, owners may not charge companies for building infrastructure on their property, except under certain conditions.
“In such cases, any access fee must be reasonable in proportion to the disadvantage suffered and must not enrich the property owner or exploit the electronic communications network service licensee,” the policy states.
Which goes against the principles of private property ownership and a capitalist system (where the infrastructure owner is certainly making a profit from the use of the tower). There is no reason why these towers can’t go up on government buildings or other community structures such as halls, light poles, etc. It should be my decision as a property owner to decide whether I want a structure on my property and what I want to charge for it (in competition with my neighbours).
It should be noted that this policy is currently open to written comments from interested parties, and will be until 30 working days after the date of publication.
See New government policy will let mobile networks build a 5G tower on your property
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams has gazetted a new policy on the deployment of communications networks in South Africa.