
Skyventure sues Simba over disputed telecom equipment
Skyventure sues Simba over disputed telecom equipment
- Skyventure VWT has sued Simba over alleged equipment trespass, claiming financial losses due to the installation of an antenna and base station.
- Simba asserts that it is operating under the IMDA regulations, which require building owners to provide designated space for telecom equipment.
- This legal action highlights a rare conflict between a mobile network operator and a building owner regarding equipment installation agreements.
Story
In Singapore, Skyventure VWT, the operator of iFly Sentosa, has initiated legal action against the telecommunications company Simba, claiming that its equipment constitutes equipment trespass. This legal dispute revolves around an antenna on the rooftop and a base station that allegedly obstruct revenue-generating opportunities for Skyventure. The company contends that the antenna inhibited the installation of additional air-conditioning units and that the space occupied by Simba's equipment has resulted in significant commercial losses. According to court documents, the total area taken up by Simba is 4.51 square meters. Simba has countered the allegations by stating that it is adhering to the regulations set forth by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), specifically under the Code of Practice for Info-Communication Facilities in Buildings 2018 (Copif 2018). This code obliges building owners to provide designated, rent-free areas for mobile network operators to install their equipment to ensure adequate mobile coverage for nearby structures. Benjamin Tan, Simba's chief technology officer, testified that this court case might be unprecedented, marking a conflict between a building owner and a mobile network operator that escalated to legal proceedings. Tan explained that according to Copif 2018, Skyventure should allocate 24 square meters of space for mobile installations for four telecommunications providers. In June 2021, Simba received notification from the IMDA mandating the removal of its equipment within a designated timeframe of 12 months. This order was reaffirmed in December 2022, extending the deadline to January 2023. Simba appealed the IMDA's decision with the Minister for Communications and Information, Mrs. Josephine Teo, at that time. Tan further stated that removing Simba's equipment would violate telecommunications laws and highlighted that they would have relocated had Skyventure provided another suitable location within their premises. According to Tan, the effectiveness of the mobile network is crucial for the coverage of beach and forested areas adjacent to the iFly building. Maintaining this coverage is essential for Simba to comply with quality standards required by the IMDA, as failing to meet these standards could jeopardize their mobile network operator license. Tan emphasized that iFly Sentosa represents the only commercially feasible site for Simba's equipment installation to ensure that the area receives adequate mobile service. This situation highlights the growing tensions between telecommunications providers and facility owners, particularly as urban areas become increasingly dense and the demand for reliable mobile connectivity rises.