Telecom Antenna Location in Antigua: A Ministerial Issue

Meeting in Madrid

Minister Óscar López (Digital Transformation), Minister Ángel Víctor Torres (Territorial Policy), and Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures Antonio Hernando met on Wednesday in Madrid with Matías Peña, mayor of Antigua, and Patrick Farges, CEO of TOTEM. The goal was to mediate a new site for the telecom antennas that will restore mobile coverage for the town’s 14,800 inhabitants.

The original site became inoperable weeks ago after the lease contract was terminated by the property owner. During that period, the village “lost mobile coverage, as this was the only such infrastructure in the locality,” the official statement noted.

After evaluating several possible sites that could guarantee the same service level as the original location, both sides agreed to pause the installation at the current site and explore alternative locations that will not cause inconvenience to residents.

Community Pressure

Residents have been demanding a solution for months, insisting that the antenna not be placed near homes.

• The municipal councilor from Antigua claimed he had done everything possible to find another site but was unsuccessful, and he refused to stop the installation due to a lack of legal basis.
• Urban planning councilor David Alberto told the radio program La Voz de Fuerteventura that the municipality only learned of TOTEM’s request in early June—nine months after the proposal was first submitted to the council—and that he had not been invited to the negotiations.
• The local citizens’ association CC‑AM appealed to the Cabildo of Fuerteventura and the Government of the Canary Islands for a solution, emphasizing that the project carries a declaration of general interest.

During a parliamentary control session on September 10, where issues such as reduced working hours and the housing crisis were debated, Ministers Torres and López made room in the agenda to address the antenna’s location in Antigua, according to the town hall.

Ministers’ Statements

“We have responded to the request made by the mayor of Antigua and are pleased to have found a common ground that benefits everyone,” said Minister Torres. “The antenna will be placed in the most suitable spot for both the citizens and the operator, and that is great news.”

“We will always contribute to finding the solutions needed for citizens and companies to enjoy the benefits of a digital society, wherever they live,” emphasized Minister López. He also highlighted Spain’s investment in the digital transformation of the Canary Islands: “Since 2018 we have invested around €100 million through various calls to improve connectivity for the islands’ people, institutions, and businesses, investments that directly impact well‑being and boost the local economy.”

Next Steps

Following the meeting, the municipal council and TOTEM have committed to identifying an alternative site. Achieving the agreement required the mediation of two ministers, a trip to Madrid, and the intense pressure from residents who have been worried for months about the antenna’s proximity to their homes.

The search for a new, acceptable location is now underway.