Telecommunication companies concerned over rising cable theft

A number of large-scale telecommunications network providers operating in Cambodia have reported the increasing incidents of cable theft and damage across the national connectivity network.

Telecom providers, including Metfone, Smart and Cellcard, as well as the Ministry of Information (MoI), have asked for increased action against perpetrators of cable theft, noting that recent trends are impacting national information security by causing property damage, undermining communication safety, along with affecting the service quality and the reputation of network providers among their customers.

The network providers have reported ongoing issues of telecommunication cables and other related equipment being cut and vandalized, with some materials also being stolen in some cases.

Network operators have suggested that based on preliminary statistics on the trend, there are approximately 15 cases of cable theft and equipment vandalism every month, which is effectively disrupting services to several thousand subscribers.

Localities where these incidents have occurred include a significant proportion within Phnom Penh municipality and Kandal province.

Disruptions to cable networks also have a significant negative effect on operators’ revenues, noted the joint statement.

The network operators report that while cable theft or damage is not a new problem, the number and severity of these theft incidents are on the rise in recent months.

According to a representative from the Phnom Penh Branch of Global Innovation Services (Cambodia) Co., Ltd. (GIS), a member company of Viettel Construction Corporation, Chheak Vutha, “Cable cutting significantly impacts our unit.”

“A single cable contains many smaller fibres inside, and it takes a person a whole session to reconnect them,” he explained.

“Additionally, we have to deploy a workforce to re-lay the cables, which is very time-consuming, while the public is affected by the service disruption,” noted Vutha.

According to applicable local law, the act of cutting telecommunication cables with the intention to vandalize or steal, as well as purchasing and consuming stolen telecommunication cables, is illegal and is liable for serious criminal punishment.

As well as working with local police departments to investigate and prosecute those involved in recent cable related crimes, the three telecommunication companies, with support from the MoI, last week jointly called on the public to raise awareness about the ongoing issue, and to provide public support in participating in protecting cable network infrastructures and other telecommunications apparatus nationwide.

The company’s and the MoI have requested that the public promptly report perpetrators if they detect any acts of theft or vandalism of telecommunication cables in their local areas, or witness the sales of stolen cable and components.

According to global market research agency Mordor Intelligence, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of the Cambodian national ICT sector is 5.3 percent between 2023 and 2028.

“The increasing usage of IoT-based devices across several industries, including consumer electronics, military, agriculture and construction, significantly drives the ICT technology industry,” the report explained.

“The market is also growing because the government is spending more on keeping up its advanced infrastructure and making sure that the country’s many modernisation and improvement projects are done right,” highlighted the Mordor report.

The report commended the country’s Digital Government Policy 2022–2035, a strategic plan that reflects the government’s long-term vision and acts as a blueprint for complete digital government transformation.

Steps, such as the Digital Government Policy 2022–2035, that include short-term, medium-term and long-term priorities are boosting comprehensive digital technology advancement in the country and adopting international best practices, the report confirmed. Hence preservation of existing infrastructure should support strong market growth into the future.