MP: Erecting structures expensive

ERECTING telecommunication structures in rural areas is expensive and these assets must be protected in order to allow Papua New Guineans to benefit, a minister says.
Communications and Information Technology Minister Timothy Masiu said vandalism and inconsistent power supply were other factors that kept companies and state entities from putting up additional towers in remote locations.
He also noted that telecommunications companies would only service towers and erect new ones in an area it was cost effective.
“It is a very expensive exercise putting up towers and if no one is using the services being provided, then I don’t think they will have the urgency to maintain those towers.
“It is a customer based service and so it is really up to the service providers to provide additional telecommunication infrastructures.
“Sometimes there is no consistent power supply,” he told The National.