High Sites

It is becoming increasingly clear that Wireless Broadband Providers are fighting an uphill battle to find suitable high sites in South Africa.

High sites are needed to erect base stations or towers in order to expand Wireless Broadband networks. This is why we intend to list high sites, recommended by our fellow Average Joes and other interested parties, in this section of ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa).

Do you know of a suitable high site?

Please make use of our secure online contact form to send us your high site recommendations.

What is a high site?

A high site, in terms of Wireless Broadband networks and without getting too technical, is a site suitable for the successful transmission of telecoms signals within a designated area.

Why is it so important to find suitable high sites?

The fast and effective erection of additional base stations/towers is critical to the success of any Wireless Broadband Provider.

Finding a suitable high site to erect a base station/tower can be a daunting task, especially in urban or built-up areas. A lack of base stations/towers leads to network congestion, especially in areas where there is a high demand for Wireless Broadband, which in turn leads to a substantial drop in the quality of the service provided. This is why ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) believes the best strategy is to work together as a team for the greater good.

Wireless Broadband Providers are facing, among other challenges, the following challenges in their search for suitable high sites:

• Getting passed community resistance: Communities that are opposed to the erection of base stations/towers in their neighborhoods are opposed mainly because such structures can be a sore eye and are perceived to present health risks. Whether base stations/towers present health risks or not because of radiation, are still an ongoing debate and a subject of intense scrutiny in scientific circles and elsewhere. ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) cannot attest whether base stations/towers present health risks or not, but we will always be on the side of true science when its revealed. Needless to say, it’s no wonder that Wireless Broadband Providers are facing strong opposition, especially in certain areas. Do you live in an area close to a base station/tower? Have you been adversely affected in any way? If Yes, we would like to hear about it.

• Passing environmental impact studies: This is another major challenge/obstacle Wireless Broadband Providers face. Even when you find a suitable high site, it doesn’t mean that you will be allowed to erect any base stations/towers on the relevant site, even when the site is for sale. An environmental impact study needs to be done first, and only when you pass it with flying colours, you will be able to build any base station/tower on the relevant site (assuming that there’s no community resistance).

In addition to the above, intense competition between various Wireless Broadband Providers doesn’t help in the finding and acquisition of suitable high sites.

Given the above, it is no wonder that Wireless Broadband Providers have to abandon the acquisition of high sites in many instances, because of the strong opposition they face. This after they already spent much time and money in their quest to find the relevant high sites. ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) therefore urges our fellow Average Joes to be considerate of the uphill battle Wireless Broadband Providers are facing in finding suitable high sites. Make sure that you don’t oppose the erection of base stations/towers just for the sake of opposing, but make sure of your facts and take the greater good into consideration. Help us to help them to help you.

A list of recommended high sites:

• Centurion area - Wireless Broadband Providers looking for a suitable high site in the Centurion area, may want to consider erecting a base station/tower next to the Summerfields Village residential complex in Kirkness Avenue in Pierre van Ryneveld. The relevant site is not suitable for residential development because of unstable dolomite formations, but is highly suitable for the erection of a base station/tower.

Do you know of a suitable high site?

Please make use of our secure online contact form to send us your high site recommendations.

Do you live in an area close to a base station/tower? Have you been adversely affected in any way?

If yes, we would like to hear about it. Be sure to make use of our secure online contact form.