Copper theft continues to affect businesses of all kinds, and the telecommunications industry in particular has felt the negative effects of this crime. How can proactive security solutions secure copper assets and prevent service outages for customers and businesses?
Copper theft affects more than just the Hydro industry
Copper wire theft is an ongoing issue that poses a major threat – a lot of attention in the media has been given to copper wire thefts on hydro sites, but it affects many other industries as well. These thefts can have a devastating effect on businesses both large and small, and these effects also trickle down to customers. Copper has been stolen from a variety of different sources – air conditioning units, storage containers, among many others, while trucking companies and telecommunications companies have recently felt the very negative impact of copper theft.
Telecommunications companies have been grappling with copper theft
The telecommunications industry is not immune to the effects of copper theft. These thefts come from cable lines which are used to deliver high-speed Internet & telephone to customers in both urban and rural areas. There has recently been a spate of thefts that only prove how much the industry has been affected and illustrates the need for a proactive approach to security. One major Canadian telecom provider has reported more than 420 business security incidents since January 2022, 75% of which were copper thefts. (1) Ontario Provincial Police are investigating an incident that occurred in February 2023 in Belleville, where a telecommunications line was cut from a pole, causing a widespread phone and Internet outage and incurring a repair charge exceeding $10,000. (2)
In May 2023, over 1,000 customers in rural Kingston, Ontario were left without Internet and phone service after a large theft of copper. Not only were homes affected, but many local businesses were impacted, making it difficult to serve their own customers, and in turn affecting their livelihoods. (3)
In a separate incident in May 2023, customers went hours without service due to another copper theft in Brantford, Ontario, with the copper again being brazenly stolen out of the telecommunications wiring itself. (4) The situation has become so dire that one of the leading telecommunications providers in Canada has subsequently filed lawsuits against copper thieves to help deter vandalism and theft (5)
While this may be an effective deterrent after the fact, a more proactive approach to site security before the crime occurs is beneficial to keeping copper assets within the telecommunications infrastructure secure.
How can we help deter copper theft before it happens?
The proactive power of our Video Security Units
Our proprietary Video Security Units are equipped with everything needed to establish proactive security for businesses. The inclusion of two stationary cameras for perimeter coverage and a PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera to zoom in on the action allows our Live Remote Video Monitoring Team to obtain a complete view of the location. Combined with the power of our live communications speaker for proactive deterrence, they create a robust security solution that covers all the angles.
The addition of our Solar Unit is even more powerful for rural sites – it can be installed virtually anywhere and connect back to our Monitoring Centre within minutes. Telecommunications towers are often installed in outskirt areas, and the ability to operate without the need for additional grid power allows us to create a secure environment remotely, in a cost efficient manner. And by leveraging the power of our proprietary LTE cellular platform, our Video Security Units operate in a completely wireless environment, without the need for a hardwired Internet connection. Reliable and adaptable to the needs of any site, our Video Security Units make establishing proactive security in rural areas even more effective.
Live Remote Video Monitoring when it matters most
Live monitoring of any site is essential to establishing proactive security. Many thefts occur during off hours or in the dark of night, and live video monitoring can help protect businesses during those hours. Even if the site is primarily unmanned, our 24 hour monitoring service can be applied to protect those sites, and keep them secure around the clock. Our Live Remote Video Monitoring team utilize our Video Security Units to detect and deter trespassing, theft, and vandalism – they’re your eyes and ears when sites need protection.
syncroDetect to provide an additional layer of protection
For businesses that store copper on site, there is an important need for security to cover areas that may be out of camera view, are frequently moved, or are in remote locations. With telecommunications lines containing valuable copper being stored, the ability to protect sea-cans, storage containers is key. Using wireless contact sensors, our syncroDetect alarm system is an additional layer of security that packs a punch – providing an additional layer of security in the areas it is needed most.
IR Night Vision captures important details in the dark of night
Many copper thefts occur during night time hours, when criminals look to strike under the cover of darkness. Infrared night vision technology allows our Monitoring team to detect suspects in the darkest of conditions. Using IR, we are able to collect specific details such as physical description, location, and behaviour that are important when gathering evidence that can then be handed over to law enforcement if an incident occurs.
Telecommunications towers & lines in rural areas can greatly benefit from the protection provided with IR capable cameras – even without natural illumination, we can help to bring criminals from out of the darkness and into the light.
Leveraging Artificial Intelligence
The advent of artificial intelligence has changed the game of proactive security, and has revolutionized our approach to how we keep sites protected. With much of the telecommunications infrastructure laid in outskirt areas, our proprietary AI system allows our team to accurately distinguish suspects from natural environmental movements, such as wind gusts moving trees, wire lines, tarps, wildlife and more. This advanced technology allows for pinpoint accuracy for detections, and allows our Monitoring team to focus on what’s most important – protecting client assets and deterring criminal activity.
Business Intelligence & Security Statistics via syncroReports
A key component to our proactive security solutions is our ability to give clients full transparency when it concerns their site security. Through our syncroReports platform, clients get a complete picture of the activity on their site – including incident reports, statistical summaries of trespassers and deterrents issued, and even the ability to view the live monitoring feeds themselves. Not only does syncroReports create an environment of full transparency for our clients, it also proves the efficacy of our proactive security solutions-how they are truly working on-site. You see what we see, all in service of full protection and security for your business.
Copper theft is an ongoing issue, as criminals continue to target these valuable materials.. Proactive security can protect these assets and avoid disruptions to the telecommunications infrastructure, keeping individuals and businesses up and running, connected, and online.
Resources:
- “Bell files another lawsuit against accused copper thief to help deter network vandalism”, Yahoo! Finance, CNW Group, June 28, 2023
- “OPP asking public for information on copper wire theft”, CBC News, February 27, 2023
- “Copper stolen from telecommunication cables in rural Kingston, Ont.”, Ryan Peddigrew, Global News, May 17, 2023
- “Copper theft behind outage for some Bell customers in Brantford, Ont.”, Nida Zafar, MobileSyrup.com, May 17, 2023
- “Bell files another lawsuit against accused copper thief to help deter network vandalism”, Yahoo! Finance, CNW Group, June 28, 2023