Criminals hurting mobile networks and costing billions Daniel Puchert

[Nat Quinn]

Criminals hurting mobile networks and costing billions

Daniel Puchert

Mobile operators in South Africa continue to experience the persistent threat of infrastructure vandalism and theft. This results in enormous costs for these telcos, amounting to billions every year.

However, the country’s telcos are experiencing this criminal phenomenon differently.

The infrastructure subject to this type of crime usually consists of backup batteries, generators, and copper cables found at cellphone tower stations or base stations.

Backup batteries and generators are essential to the towers’ functioning during load-shedding, as networks try to ensure as much uptime as possible.

Copper found in power cables is highly vulnerable to theft due to how easily it can be sold in South Africa.

Stealing batteries, generators, and wires from base stations destroys the surrounding infrastructure, costing mobile operators millions in capital expenditures.

As a result, mobile networks are losing and spending millions.

South Africa’s biggest mobile network operator, Vodacom, told MyBroadband that it annually loses roughly R100 million to mobile tower battery theft and infrastructure vandalism.

Telkom, on the other hand, said that its estimated losses caused by vandalism and theft are R7 billion per year, and the total economic loss caused by the crime is over R108 billion.

MTN has also experienced its fair share, spending R33 million in 2023 to account for damages and theft.

Fortunately for MTN, this situation seems to be improving, unlike Vodacom.

“Although the incidents of battery theft and network infrastructure vandalism is still a reality, MTN has seen a decline of incidents relating to this type of crime,” MTN SA told MyBroadband.

MTN attributes this decline to security measures that the network has introduced over the past few years. This includes installing CCTV and building concrete and heavy steel safehouse carriages to safeguard the batteries.

Vodacom sees this situation differently, noting that base stations are increasingly targeted and organised syndicates create unique approaches every time.

“On a daily basis local network providers experience multiple incidents of break-ins in our base station sites,” a Vodacom spokesperson said.

“For many communities, especially those in remote areas, cellular base stations serve as the primary form of connectivity.”

Vodacom notes how each incident can cause outages lasting days, severely affecting businesses and people who rely on mobile networks for communication.

Vandalism of backup batteries at an MTN tower station

Restoring service at the base stations causes even further downtime, Vodacom said.

Like MTN, Vodacom has also taken extreme measures to protect its batteries, applying a combination of epoxy and glass around the battery’s housing to prevent criminals from cutting through with tools like grinders.

It has also cemented batteries in vaults and installed concrete cubes for housing.

MTN has implemented additional strategies by entering into multiple partnerships to further prevent theft and vandalism.

“MTN, in partnership with the Gauteng Provincial Community Police Board, is working on a pilot project aimed at safeguarding tower infrastructures and minimise network downtime,” MTN said.

“The establishment of a command centre equipped with essential data collection tools is currently underway in Soweto.”

Telkom mentioned that it participates in multiple external forums aimed at addressing economic crimes.

“These include the Communication Risk Information Centre, Southern African Fraud Prevention Service, Economic Sabotage of Critical Infrastructure Forum and Non-Ferrous Metals Crime Combating Committee,” a Telkom spokesperson said.

“As an example of the benefits of this participation, we influenced the introduction of a temporary ban on the sale of copper scrap metal, which was critical in combating theft and vandalism of essential infrastructure.”

Vodacom, which has invested heavily in additional security measures, is appealing to all stakeholders to help mitigate this threat.

“As part of these efforts, we are collaborating with residents, community policing forums and encouraging community members to report criminal activity,” a Vodacom spokesperson said.

“Putting a stop to vandalism and theft is in the interest of everyone, ensuring uninterrupted access to the benefits of connectivity.”

Vodacom encouraged anyone who sees suspicious activity around its base stations to call its toll-free number, 0822419952, or the SAPS on 10111.

Vodacom mobile tower backup batteries recovered by police

Vandalism of copper cables and other infrastructure at an MTN tower station

The door of a steel cage battery bunker

An MTN concrete battery bunker

source:Criminals hurting mobile networks and costing billions (mybroadband.co.za)

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