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"The increase in copper cable theft is creating an environment of a rapidly deteriorating service quality and is severely affecting the delivery of sustainable ICT services to customers. In many high-theft areas, cable is repeatedly stolen, sometimes within days after replacements or repairs," said Motlatsi Nzeku, chief of operations at Telkom.
Nzeku explained that the direct impact of cable theft included the disruption of essential services, and costs of replacements or repairs of the affected infrastructure.
"We are observing a new trend in the deliberately determined cycle of theft. This is damaging businesses, depriving our customers of a basic service and, in some cases, adversely affecting their security. This is affecting our capacity to deliver services within acceptable time intervals," added Nzeku.
In efforts to fight against copper cable theft, Telkom has embarked on various interventions, including deploying various wireless technologies, assessing vulnerable aerial cable routes and, where feasible, burying these underground.
It is also working closely with the non-ferrous theft combating committee (NFTCC) under the auspices of Business Against Crime and the Saps, to jointly find ways of protecting the cable network.
It said that since the start of its campaign to fit vulnerable cable routes with alarms, 157 convictions had been attained out of 1 043 arrests.
However, copper cable theft is still spiralling out of control and more daring, adventurous and organised methods of theft are being used.
"It is important, however, to note that each incident of cable theft is unique and therefore needs unique alternative interventions," said Nzeku.
Alternatives
He added that the deployment of alternative access technologies entailed a process of assessment, funding, planning and deployment, which could have implications in terms of the speed with which Telkom was able to redress affected customers with sustainable solutions.
"It is important to note that affected customers qualify for pro rata rebates on their rental charges and, in the near future, Telkom will be able to automatically pass credit against services that are affected by cable theft," he said.
He concluded that copper cable theft remains the biggest inhibitor to Telkom's capability to improve service levels.
- I-Net Bridge
