ONE Communications is urging greater public awareness and collective action to protect Guyana’s telecommunications infrastructure, reporting that five incidents of vandalism and copper theft over the past two months have disrupted services for about 7,000 residential and business customers, as well as affecting mobile services.
The company said the incidents form part of a wider pattern of damage to telecommunications infrastructure, including accidental damage caused by roadworks and heavy-duty vehicles. In some cases, critical public sector facilities have also been affected.
While technical teams work to restore services as quickly as possible, One Communications said the damage can be extensive and complex to repair. Restoration may require the replacement of cables and other network equipment, excavation, splicing and testing, and the deployment of specialised technical teams.
The company warned that the consequences of such incidents extend beyond damaged cables and equipment, affecting families, businesses and public services while placing additional pressure on resources needed to maintain and expand the country’s telecommunications network.
Communications and Community Relations Manager Jasmin Harris said repeated damage to the network was making it increasingly difficult to maintain the quality and reliability of service expected by customers.
“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,” Harris said, adding: “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 said telecommunications infrastructure has become an essential part of everyday life, supporting businesses, schools, healthcare providers, government agencies and emergency services, while enabling thousands of Guyanese to work, communicate and access essential services.
The company stressed that protecting the country’s telecommunications infrastructure could not rest solely with service providers.
It said it was continuing to engage relevant authorities, law enforcement agencies, contractors and other stakeholders to strengthen preventative measures, improve coordination around works that may affect network infrastructure, and deter the theft and destruction of telecommunications assets.
One Communications is also appealing to residents to help safeguard infrastructure within their communities and report suspicious activity involving cables, poles, cabinets, underground facilities and other network equipment.
“This is ultimately about protecting the connectivity of our communities,” Harris said. “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.”
The company said it remained committed to investing in and strengthening its network and restoring services as quickly and safely as possible when disruptions occur.
However, it emphasised that preventing avoidable damage was critical to ensuring that resources could 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 about 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.
