Copper thieves paralyse phone network

TELECOM Namibia says it has suffered losses amounting to N$760 000 this year through acts of vandalism and copper wire theft.

Telecom’s senior manager for communications, Oiva Angula, said copper wire theft was on the increase, resulting in more telephone system failures in some parts of the country. “Theft of copper wire from Telecom Namibia’s phone network is a worrisome phenomenon which, like a cancer, eats away not only at the physical state of the network but also at customer confidence in the ability of Telecom Namibia to deliver a world-class service,” he said.Angula said the illegal activities did not only hamper telephony services in some parts of the country but have also put many customers at risk of losing service.”In the past 11 months, over 26 copper theft incidents were recorded, and due to this, hundreds of subscribers were left without communication for days,” he said.Most of the thefts occurred in the surroundings of Rundu, Dordabis, Swakopmund, Usakos, Otjiwarongo, Okahandja, Okatope and Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport.Some of the phone lines were cut repeatedly in these areas.”Since January, Telecom Namibia lines worth at least N$760 000 have been destroyed through acts of vandalism and theft.Similarly, the shut-downs resulting from the thefts are causing huge losses to the Namibian economy due to the disruption it causes Telecom Namibia’s customers,” Angula said.He said the real cost to the country was much higher, as it included many indirect costs related to the sabotaged communications.”For example, who knows how many phone calls to emergency services have not been connected because someone has stolen the wiring?” he asked.He said thieves took copper wires, solar panels, utility poles and other equipment.Telecom Namibia has now joined forces with the Namibian Police to help prevent theft, identify stolen copper wire and arrest criminals, including their accomplices.”The public too could play an important role in assisting in both the protection of these public assets and apprehension of such criminals to prevent the immeasurable inconvenience brought about when the telecommunication lines are interfered with,” Angula said.He called on members of the public to call the nearest Police station or Telecom Namibia whenever they notice something wrong.”Telecom Namibia pays handsome rewards to any member of the public for information that leads to a successful conviction or the recovery of stolen assets.We count on the goodwill of the public to help stamp out these illegal activities,” he said.”Theft of copper wire from Telecom Namibia’s phone network is a worrisome phenomenon which, like a cancer, eats away not only at the physical state of the network but also at customer confidence in the ability of Telecom Namibia to deliver a world-class service,” he said.Angula said the illegal activities did not only hamper telephony services in some parts of the country but have also put many customers at risk of losing service.”In the past 11 months, over 26 copper theft incidents were recorded, and due to this, hundreds of subscribers were left without communication for days,” he said.Most of the thefts occurred in the surroundings of Rundu, Dordabis, Swakopmund, Usakos, Otjiwarongo, Okahandja, Okatope and Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport.Some of the phone lines were cut repeatedly in these areas.”Since January, Telecom Namibia lines worth at least N$760 000 have been destroyed through acts of vandalism and theft.Similarly, the shut-downs resulting from the thefts are causing huge losses to the Namibian economy due to the disruption it causes Telecom Namibia’s customers,” Angula said.He said the real cost to the country was much higher, as it included many indirect costs related to the sabotaged communications.”For example, who knows how many phone calls to emergency services have not been connected because someone has stolen the wiring?” he asked.He said thieves took copper wires, solar panels, utility poles and other equipment.Telecom Namibia has now joined forces with the Namibian Police to help prevent theft, identify stolen copper wire and arrest criminals, including their accomplices.”The public too could play an important role in assisting in both the protection of these public assets and apprehension of such criminals to prevent the immeasurable inconvenience brought about when the telecommunication lines are interfered with,” Angula said.He called on members of the public to call the nearest Police station or Telecom Namibia whenever they notice something wrong.”Telecom Namibia pays handsome rewards to any member of the public for information that leads to a successful conviction or the recovery of stolen assets.We count on the goodwill of the public to help stamp out these illegal activities,” he said.