One Communications calls for greater protection of telecoms infrastructure

One Communications is calling for greater public awareness and collective action to protect Guyana’s telecommunications infrastructure, as incidents of vandalism, copper theft, and accidental damage caused by roadworks and heavy-duty vehicles continue to disrupt essential connectivity across the country.

Over the past two months alone, One Communications has recorded five incidents of vandalism and copper theft, contributing to service disruptions affecting approximately 7,000 residential and business customers, in addition to disruptions to mobile services. In some instances, critical public sector facilities have also been affected.

While One Communications’ technical teams work urgently to restore services whenever these incidents occur, the damage can be extensive and complex to repair. Restoration may require the replacement of cables and other network equipment, excavation works, splicing and testing, and the deployment of specialized technical teams.

These incidents therefore do more than damage cables or equipment. They disconnect families, interrupt businesses, affect public services and place additional pressure on the resources required to maintain and expand Guyana’s telecommunications network.

Telecommunications infrastructure is now an essential part of everyday life, supporting businesses, schools, healthcare providers, government agencies, emergency services and thousands of Guyanese who depend on reliable connectivity to work, communicate and access essential services.

“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,” said Jasmin Harris, Communications and Community Relations Manager at One Communications. “Our teams work tirelessly to restore connectivity as quickly as possible, but repeated damage to the network makes maintaining the quality and reliability of service our customers deserve increasingly challenging.”

One Communications emphasized that the protection of telecommunications infrastructure cannot rest with telecommunications providers alone.

The company continues to engage relevant authorities, law enforcement agencies, contractors and other stakeholders to strengthen preventative measures, improve coordination around works that may affect telecommunications infrastructure, and deter the theft and destruction of network assets.

One Communications is also appealing directly to communities to help protect infrastructure within their neighbourhoods and to report suspicious activity involving telecommunications cables, poles, cabinets, underground infrastructure and other network equipment.

“This is ultimately about protecting the connectivity of our communities,” Harris added. “When telecommunications infrastructure is damaged, the consequences are shared by all of us. We are asking everyone, contractors, motorists, communities, public agencies and law enforcement, to work with us to protect this critical national infrastructure and the services Guyanese rely on every day.”

One Communications remains committed to investing in and strengthening its network and to restoring services as quickly and safely as possible when disruptions occur. However, preventing avoidable damage is critical to ensuring that resources can remain focused on improving network resilience, expanding connectivity and delivering the quality-of-service customers expect.

Members of the public who witness suspicious activity or have information regarding the theft, vandalism or deliberate damage of telecommunications infrastructure are encouraged to report the matter to the Guyana Police Force or through One Communications’ designated vandalism reporting channels– https://onecommgroup.com/gy/copper-vandalism.