In 2018, TSTT introduced that as a part of its digital transformation thrust, the Firm could be sunsetting its copper plant and migrating clients to wi-fi and fibre options; each of that are higher suited to fulfill the wants of shoppers on this digital age.
Whereas copper theft just isn’t a brand new phenomenon, there was a big enhance within the vandalism of TSTT’s copper plant and the theft of copper cables because the begin of the Covid-19 pandemic.
TSTT, in no unsure phrases, condemns this legal exercise and the actions of rogue scrap iron sellers who gasoline the illicit commerce by buying the stolen materials.
The haphazard, unauthorised elimination of copper cables poses an incredible danger to the vandals and others. It endangers the lives of these immediately concerned, compromises the security of residents and motorists, and contributes to typically widespread service outages.
Whereas TSTT has made appreciable progress transitioning clients to wi-fi and fibre alternate options, the Firm nonetheless has lively clients who depend on copper for much-needed service.
Moreover, when vandals harm non-copper cables within the course of, it adversely impacts TSTT’s clients and different utility suppliers as nicely. Admittedly, the Firm has needed to incur vital prices because of the illegal elimination of its copper cables.
The chance inherent within the copper elimination course of should not be trivialised.
The secure and correct elimination of copper cables should be carried out by competent, licensed professionals with data of voltage clearances, expertise working close to excessive pressure and lashing wires, and entry to accepted instruments and tools.
Along with Occupational, Well being, and Security elements, the wrecking of TSTT’s copper plant should adhere to the Firm’s Buying Insurance policies and Procedures and obtain approval from its Procurement and Disposal Advisory Committee. Approvals required from stakeholders exterior to TSTT should even be obtained.
The Trinidad and Tobago Scrap Iron Sellers Affiliation and its members have loved a longstanding, fruitful relationship with TSTT. Subsequently, the emotions strongly expressed by the Affiliation’s President at their Could 3, 2022, Press Convention are nothing in need of disappointing.
TSTT is dedicated to following the Firm’s established procurement and disposal practices and won’t, beneath any circumstances, be strongarmed into disregarding its due diligence necessities to fulfill one other get together’s agenda.
Members of the general public are reminded that legal actions of this nature entice extreme penalties beneath the Telecommunications Act. By advantage of Part 69 (1) of the Act, an individual who maliciously damages, removes, or destroys facility works or different set up of a public community or a public telecommunications service commits an offence and is liable on abstract conviction to a high-quality of as much as $250,000 and to imprisonment of as much as 5 years.
TSTT expresses gratitude to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and the regulation enforcement businesses that it really works intently with to carry issues earlier than the court docket. For the yr, 161 folks have been taken earlier than the courts on issues associated to cable theft.
The Firm additionally thanks members of the general public for reporting cases of cable theft and urges them to proceed doing so by calling 800-0688.
