Broken telecom boxes a bust around province
When there are no consequences for not fixing broken equipment boxes, there’s no imperative for telecom providers to do the right thing.
I’ve recently been writing about the large number of telecom equipment boxes — also known as pedestal boxes — that are falling apart on city streets and can go months or even years without being fixed.
It’s not just me who takes issue with the lack of concern on the part of Bell and Rogers, which own the vast majority. For weeks, I’ve been getting email from readers — and not just Toronto residents — about damaged boxes.
“Out here in wine country, same issue,” said Ross Robinson, who lives in Niagara-onthe-Lake and included a photo of a crumbling box in his front yard that he says has been that way for two to three years.
Ed Hogan sent me photos of side-by-side boxes owned by Bell and Rogers, in front of his home in Whitby. The Bell box is in good shape but the Rogers box has all but disappeared, except for wires sprouting from the boulevard.
“The Rogers box cover was damaged by Whitby Operations staff this past winter and
they reported it to Rogers” said Hogan.
Rogers and Bell insist they’re trying to fix busted boxes and encourage the public to report them. But they don’t make it easy. Those who want to report a damaged box have to go looking for a phone number or the right place on their websites.
And that brings us to municipalities, which allow telecoms to locate their equipment on city property. But they can’t just say no. Federal legislation provides telecoms with as-of-right access to municipal right-ofways for the placement of infrastructure.
However, municipalities indeed have authority to impose basic maintenance standards
on telecom boxes, should they choose to. They could also require telecoms to fix them in a timely way, or provide information on boxes that makes it easy for the public to report damage.
Status: I asked the city if it requires telecoms to adhere to prescribed maintenance standards. The reply mentioned “guidelines” and said damaged boxes can be reported to 311.
“When the city receives service requests via 311 for damaged utility boxes/cabinets, staff investigates with an aim to first make the box/cabinet safe. Once safe, the city will work with the utility company to ensure they make timely and necessary permanent repairs/replacement or remove the equipment.”
The reply went on to say “there are…bylaws that address the requirements of anyone who places approved infrastructure in the right of way, including utility companies. The applicant shall… maintain the encroachment in a state of good repair, at no expense to the city.”
I was also provided Toronto’s universal equipment placement “guidelines.” Near the bottom of the document is a section on “special considerations,” which included the following: “State of Good Condition: All above and below grade equipment should be kept in a state of good condition and repair to ensure public safety and aesthetic appeal.”
These are guidelines, not rules or bylaws. Telecoms are under no obligation to follow guidelines. They are only suggestions. And as long as there are no rules, why should they play ball?
Next week I’ll reveal a cheap and easy way that telecoms can demonstrate they’re serious about responding to public complaints about damaged boxes.