A group of residents in La Palma, Cartagena, have voiced their concerns regarding the installation of a mobile phone mast located near their homes, a sports pavilion, and Carthago Spartaria Institute. Neighbour Nadjeida Puga raised alarms about potential violations of regulations, stating that masts should not be installed within one hundred metres of residential zones or sensitive locations like schools.

In response to their concerns, affected residents contacted the police to halt the installation and to verify if the operators had obtained the necessary permissions. However, the police responded that they were unfamiliar with the relevant regulations and documentation requirements, which hindered their ability to intervene.

The situation escalated when local authorities were alerted about the residents’ protests, prompting the mobile network operator to call the police to disperse the gathering. In the midst of the unrest, municipal sources clarified that the mast did not need a municipal license as outlined in the General Telecommunications Law of twenty twenty-two, which excludes small installations from requiring prior authorisation unless specific criteria are met.

The residents’ lack of information and transparency from authorities has left them feeling vulnerable. The incident raises important questions about community engagement and regulatory processes surrounding telecommunications infrastructure in Cartagena.