Hundreds of Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) customers in Grand Bahama experienced disruptions in their cell, landline and DSL services over the past two weeks as copper bandits struck six of the company’s service sites on that island.
The bandits stole copper, power and grounding cables from BTC service sites including Lucayan Estates, Old Movie Studios, Fortune Cay, Midshipman, Maurice Moore and the Ocean Side Triangle.
Officials say the thefts started on June 2 at the Lucayan Estates cell site.
This resulted in the disruption of mobile service for customers frequenting the area with a following attack to the cell and land line sites at the Old Movie Studio on June 6 resulting in disruption of service for mobile customers in addition to the loss of landline and DSL service to a few customers in the surrounding area.
The latest attack occurred on 8:00 p.m. Monday at the Midshipman site, which caused the failure of the landline site providing service to some 299 fixed line and DSL customers.
Overall 400 customers were affected by the heists.
Senior Manager of BTC’s Grand Bahama offices Michael Laing said with 40 service sites on the island, it is impossible to have a physical presence at each site.
However, officials are looking to better secure the sites in the future.
“We are seeking to install CCTV cameras at strategic locations to aid in detection of criminals who decide to trespass on BTC’s property and steal in the future. We have gotten the full support of the Royal Bahamas Police Force which has agreed to increase patrol of the various sites and search for the destructive culprits,” Mr. Laing said.
Senior Manager of Public Relations Jerome Sawyer said while officials are working to restore services it will not be an overnight fix.
“In some instances third party involvement is required to get some of the issues resolved as it requires the planting of new poles and the rerouting of power,” he said.
Meantime, BTC are asking anyone with information on this incident, to come forward.
“We are appealing to anyone who may have information on these incidents to come forward, urged Sawyer. “If at any time you see suspicious activity at any of the BTC sites please report it to the police because any resulting disruption in service affects you personally.”
