One Communications is calling for greater protection of telecommunications infrastructure amid an increase in vandalism, copper theft and damage caused by roadworks and heavy-duty vehicles.
In a statement yesterday, the company said it recorded five incidents of vandalism and copper theft over the past two months. The resulting disruptions affected approximately 7,000 residential and business customers, as well as mobile services and, in some cases, public-sector facilities.
According to the company, repairs can involve replacing cables and other equipment, excavation, splicing, testing and the deployment of specialised technical teams.
It said the incidents not only damage equipment but also disconnect households, interrupt businesses, affect public services and divert resources needed to maintain and expand the telecommunications network.
“Every time a cable is stolen, deliberately damaged or severed during other works, there are people on the other end who suddenly lose a service they depend on,” Jasmin Harris, the company’s Communications and Community Relations Manager, was quoted as saying.
Harris said technical teams work to restore connectivity as quickly as possible, but repeated damage makes it increasingly difficult to maintain reliable service.
One Communications said telecommunications providers could not protect the infrastructure on their own. It added that it was engaging the authorities, law-enforcement agencies, contractors and other stakeholders on preventative measures, improved coordination during works and efforts to deter theft and vandalism.
The company also appealed to residents to report suspicious activity involving telecommunications cables, poles, cabinets, underground infrastructure and other network equipment.
“When telecommunications infrastructure is damaged, the consequences are shared by all of us,” Harris said. She urged contractors, motorists, communities, public agencies and law-enforcement bodies to help safeguard the infrastructure.
One Communications said it remained committed to investing in its network and restoring disrupted services. However, it noted that preventing avoidable damage would allow more resources to be directed towards improving network resilience and expanding connectivity.
Anyone with information about the theft, vandalism or deliberate damage of telecommunications infrastructure is being encouraged to contact the Guyana Police Force or use the company’s reporting channel at [onecommgroup.com/gy/copper-vandalism](https://onecommgroup.com/gy/copper-vandalism).
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