Vlakfontein, home base of Treeferns Trout lodge, because of its high altitude, is an ideal site for telecommunication transmissions. Not surprisingly, therefore, three landmarks or towers dominate the skyline. The major telecommunication networks are represented here, viz  Sentech, Eskom, Telkom, Vodacom, and MTN. I  believe that also Cell C is utilising  excisting infra-structures.

Sentech.

Sentech evolved from the technical and broadcast arm of the SABC into an information communication technology company. It is state-owned and a fully commercial enterprise. Sentech owns and operates a large number of broadcasting transmitter sites : 598 television transmitters, 730 FM transmitters, and some medium and short wave transmitters. One of these is sited at Vlakfontein on the hill called Mareskop, and is referred to as the Dullstroom tower, shown below.

The height of the tower is 800 ft, it pivotes on a ball, is well anchored with 4 anchor cables on each of 4 anchors. It has a radius of 150 km. The tower also hosts Telkom and Vodacom.

Eskom.

Eskom ownes the Machadodorp Radio Repeater Station which is also situated on Mareskop, Vlakfontein. It is a 45 m Eifel tower as part of Eskom’s radio communication network. To ensure sustainable power to all its consumers Eskom relies on its own communication network. This station also hosts a MTN base station. The tower is the one on the left on the picture below, west of the Telkom mast.

Telkom.

Telkom has erected a mast of 50 m high on a concrete foundation of 7 m² on a site of 12 m², with associated telecommunication equipment. It is the mast on the right of the above photograph. Telkom also has an Alcatel radio antenna at the Sentech tower. The farm telephone is connected to this antenna.

Vodacom.

Vodacom operates a base station  at the Sentech FM tower.

MTN.

The Eskom mast left on the above picture hosts a MTN base station, as shown on the photo below.

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