Domestic telecom and cable TV companies illegally using utility poles for communication lines
Published2020.02.21 14:09Institutional measures such as increasing penalty fees needed to prevent habitual unauthorized use
A recent investigation report has shown that cases of domestic mobile carriers and cable TV broadcasters installing and using communication lines on utility poles without authorization have been increasing over the past five years.
When excessive cable installation exceeds the allowable weight of utility poles, it can lead to safety accidents, making countermeasures urgent.
▲ Cases of unauthorized use of Korea Electric Power utility poles are increasing, and calls for institutional improvements have been raised
According to data received by Rep. Lee Jong-bae (Chungju, Chungbuk; Future Integrated Party) from Korea Electric Power Corporation, from 2015 to 2019, unauthorized use of Korea Electric Power utility poles by telecom companies including LG U+, SK Telecom, and KT resulted in 1,425,943 detected cases, with corresponding penalty surcharges totaling approximately 170 billion won.
By carrier, ▲LG U+ had the highest number at 367,106 strands (597 billion won in surcharges), followed by ▲SK Broadband with 245,935 strands (28.18 billion won) ▲SK Telecom with 188,084 strands (20.16 billion won) ▲KT with 99,661 strands (14.54 billion won) in that order.
Detected cases of unauthorized utility pole use by cable TV broadcasters and other general telecom operators reached 349,341 strands (37.65 billion won), and unauthorized use of utility poles by local governments, military units, and other administrative and public institutions totaled 76,045 strands (760 million won).
To install communication lines on utility poles, telecom companies must submit an application to Korea Electric Power, undergo technical review considering allowable weight, and obtain approval. However, unable to obtain approval or fearing loss of customer acquisition while waiting for approval, telecom companies opt to install first without authorization and pay penalty fees when detected later.
Penalty fees for unauthorized utility pole use are approximately 27,000 won, which is three times the annual usage fee of 9,036 won, far less than the profits gained from acquiring subscribers.
Rep. Lee Jong-bae stated, "When cables are excessively installed on utility poles, not only does it harm urban aesthetics but also increases the possibility of accidents. Therefore, institutional improvements to eliminate habitual unauthorized use of utility poles by telecom companies are urgently needed."
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