Fibre-optics in road reserves

Issued by SANRAL
Pretoria, Aug 30, 2017

Telecommunications service providers gathered in Menlo Park on 25 August to get in-depth information on application processes, regulations and required declarations on fibre-optic cable installations within the SA National Roads Agency's road reserves.

Openserve, Vodacom and MTN were among telecommunications service providers that attended the workshop.

SANRAL's mandate is not only to build and maintain national roads, but also to ensure the integrity of its road reserves. That is why SANRAL monitors fibre installation projects on their road reserves and requires telecommunications service providers to apply for wayleave before installation.

Although fibre-optic cables make communication easier, it is important to consider road safety and precautions when constructing on roads and in road reserves.

"SANRAL was continuously receiving common questions on the installation, standards and processes of fibre-optics installation from service providers, hence we saw the need to conduct this workshop to address their questions. We need to ensure careful control and co-ordination of all work in the road reserves that are managed by SANRAL," said Dimitri Alben, a Statutory Controller at SANRAL.

The importance of addressing safety issues was reiterated during the workshop and SANRAL stated that it has put measures in place to ensure electricity cuts and water contamination are avoided prior, during and after the installations of these fibre-optic cables.

Deputy Regional Manager for projects in Gauteng and North West provinces at SANRAL, Solomon Kganyago, said: "Roads are the heartbeat of the economy. Where there are well maintained roads, development follows. If any eventualities are to occur on the roads under our management, we'd be held liable, so it's important to take precautions to avoid such."