Gigacomm is a new entrant in the broadband rollout across residential strata buildings. However, their basestation model on the roof brings many issues including solar deprivation. Apparently the the Telecommunications Act (1997) includes provisions that allow mobile phone masts to be installed wherever they are needed. According to the Telecommunications Ombudsman, the only grounds for objecting to a LAAN are:
This is a base station which assists Gigacomm make money through their business model. It isn't solely for the benefit of providing fast broadband to just the residents of the strata building where the antenna is installed. For example, the proposed base station on 3 Freeman Rd needs line of sight to base stations proposed for 7 Freeman Rd and 640 Pacific Highway, in order to create a basestation network. But what if your strata building already had a plan to install solar panels? If the base station removed the possibility of installing 2 additional solar panels and solar panels last for a period of 25 years, what would the economic loss to the Owners Corporation of losing this roofspace to a base station?
At Wattblock we asked one of our Energy Consultants, Sean Cowan, to come up with an estimate. Assuming that the space taken up by the base station displaces 2 solar panels, each of these 2 solar panels are 570W panels and taking into account a seasonal common area electricity tariff with peak, shoulder and off peak rates (average 0.28c per kWh) and adding an inflation rate of 2%, the loss in the first year would be $433 rising to $697 p.a. in the 25th year. The accumulated losses as a result of having a base station installed, instead of 2 solar panels, over a period of 25 years would be $13,891. Shouldn't the Owners Corporation be entitled to compensation from the base station provider? Some strata buildings that elected to have mobile phone base stations (not broadband base stations) have deals such as: - $15,000 rental per annum, with an in-built escalation of 2% each year - Maximum term of 20 years - Agreement to "make good" on uninstall - Separate electricity metering, so that the extra power incurred by the base station doesn't negatively impact the buildings NABERS for Apartment Buildings rating In this case Gigacomm offered $500 p.a. compensation for electricity, or sub-metering of its equipment, or an internet account for the building (house services) at no cost. No compensation for roofspace rental in perpetuity was offerred to the building. Brent Clark Contributor Strata Energy News Further resources: https://inthecove.com.au/2023/09/16/telcos-have-the-right-to-install-high-speed-internet-on-your-apartment-building-whether-you-like-it-or-not/ https://www.afr.com/wealth/personal-finance/what-your-apartment-block-should-do-when-telcos-come-knocking-20220705-p5azbn https://www.smh.com.au/property/news/just-like-the-castle-the-apartment-owners-under-siege-in-their-own-buildings-20220712-p5b128.html Comments are closed.
|
Strata Energy NewsReceive our newsletter updates by email. Categories
All
Archives
November 2024
|