The decision comes after a community backlash at 2degrees' plans to install a 12m tower in Scroggs Hill Rd, many being concerned about the possible health effects of having a tower so close to homes.
In a letter addressed to Brighton residents obtained by the Otago Daily Times, the company says work on the tower would not ''proceed until further notice'' while it looked at alternative sites.
The letter said the decision to halt its plans came after members of the community made their feelings known at an information evening held for residents last month.
''Since then, we have been working to see if we could strike a balance between the needs of our customers and the views of the community. Whilst we are very limited with the options available to us, we have decided to undertake even further technical analysis to ensure we have the balance right,'' the letter said.
The Scroggs Hill Rd site was selected as the best possible location because it was on a spur, meaning it gave the best coverage from a single site that was designed to be ''as low impact as possible''. Brighton Residents v 2degrees spokesman Daryl Hanna hailed the decision as a major victory for the community.
''I think they have probably gauged the community's feelings and ... that if they do go ahead with it, it is certainly going to be a very bad PR exercise for them,'' he said.
While the group was happy that 2degrees was ''prepared to listen'', it would keep on fighting until plans to install the tower in the road were abandoned.
''We won't rest easy until we know for sure, but this is certainly positive news,'' he said.
He believed 2degrees had chosen the Scroggs Hill Rd location because it was an ''easy spot'' and siting the tower on privately owned land would likely cost the company more.
Brighton councillor Colin Weatherall said 2degrees had exercised ''good common sense'' in listening to the community's concerns.
He received the letter by email last night and forwarded it to some of the affected residents and it was likely others would receive it by post over the next couple of days.
