On the Issues of Overhead Electronic Communication External Engineering Networks

Electronic communication overhead cables are installed to provide residents with internet and television services. In some cases, the installation of overhead lines is legal, but there is a huge number of overhead lines for which there is no verifiable documentation, meaning they have been installed arbitrarily. Moreover, such arbitrarily installed engineering networks also cause problems for building management - roof repair and maintenance work, as well as roof and facade insulation.

The construction of electronic communication engineering networks is regulated by the Cabinet of Ministers' August 19, 2014, rules No. 501 "Building Regulations for Electronic Communication Engineering Structures." According to these regulations, any construction work, except for the renewal of existing engineering networks, requires a construction plan. For the dismantling of electronic communication engineering networks, a notification of construction must be filled out in the construction information system, but for installing a new electronic communication network feeder, attaching cable lines, electronic communication networks on the building facade on the street side and in the public outdoor space, laying electronic communication cables in existing cable ducts, or placing communication network equipment in equipment containers, or reconstructing electronic communication networks, an explanatory statement and a building authority's approval (coordination) must be obtained. Moreover, since November 9, 2002, all overhead electronic communication engineering networks must be marked (Cabinet of Ministers' November 4, 2002, rules No. 496 "Telecommunication Network Installation and Construction Regulations"). Therefore, if the engineering network does not contain appropriate marking and there is no available documentation, its installation is considered arbitrary.

The Ministry of Economics has prepared informative material on the organization of external overhead electronic communication engineering networks, what actions should be taken by the building owner or manager (administrator) and what actions should be taken by the municipal building authority, as well as the construction process for the dismantling of external overhead electronic communication engineering networks.

The Ministry of Economics invites the building owner and its manager (administrator) to familiarize themselves with the prepared material, inspect the overhead electronic communication engineering networks on their property, and take action to organize their property in accordance with legal regulations, and for municipal building authorities to ensure the legality of the construction process in their territory. The informative material at the moment is available in Latvian only.