Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
LANDLINE phone and data services operator, TelOne, is contemplating going wireless though adopting optic fibre technology to curb a surge in cases of theft and vandalism of its telecommunications infrastructure.
Head of corporate communications, Mrs Melody Harry said the company was implementing short term solutions with a view of turning to optic fibre as a long-lasting solution.
“Incidents of vandalism of the TeOne telecommunications infrastructure have been on the increase countrywide where vandals are targeting mostly copper and other steel installations,” she said.
“Vandalism often results in voice and internet service disruptions, thus, prejudicing our valued clients and impacting negative reputation to the company.”
Eventually, the company is earmarking going wireless, and modalities towards this goal are being out in place, said the company.
“Strategies are at an advanced stage to source funding to provide network solutions such as wireless or optic fibre that are less susceptible to vandalism,” she said.
Although she could not quantify the loss the company has endured due to the vandals, Ms Harry said TelOne incurs huge costs in the form of replacement costs and funds injected to curb the vandalism scourge.
She said over 200 cases have been reported since January with Midlands, Kwekwe in particular, being the hotspot.
“A quarter of these attacks were related to the Midlands region. Kwekwe has been a hotspot having recorded the bulk of the attacks for the first half of the year,” said Mrs Harry.
“Other towns where attacks have been recorded include Gweru, Gokwe, Mvuma and Shurugwi.”
Of the 30 cases recorded in the Midlands province in the first half of the year, 16 were recorded in Kwekwe.
TelOne has also resorted to installing security alarms and beefing up its security teams to protect the infrastructure.
“The company is also collaborating with the judicial services to ensure that suspects arrested are charged under the Postal and Telecommunications Act that prescribes a minimum jail term of 10 years for suspects found guilty of vandalising the telecommunications infrastructure,” said Mrs Harry.
Other measures to curb the scourge include community engagements and awareness, so that they take part in protecting the infrastructure and to report suspicious activities.
In Kwekwe companies and households alike have gone for months without internet and telecommunications connections after thieves stole copper cables.
TelOne technicians are a common site while busy replacing and reconnecting vandalised network.
Msasa Park, Mbizo and Newtown were the worst affected in Kwekwe.
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