Increase in attacks on BT copper wire

According to communications giant BT there has been a surge in the number of attacks on its copper broadband and phone wires in Scotland, which is costing the company millions of pounds each year.

It has been reported by the communications giant BT that last year saw a surge in the number of attacks on its broadband and phone copper wire in Scotland, which is something that is causing a number of problems. The number of attacks on the provider’s copper cables in Scotland are said to have increased by nine percent last year.

The attacks are made up mainly of thefts of the broadband and phone copper wiring used by the company, and BT officials have said that this is costing them millions of pounds every year. The company has also expressed concern over the effects that the attacks and thefts are having on consumers, especially more vulnerable people.

The telecoms and broadband giant said that these thefts and attacks were leaving vulnerable people isolated in many cases, and could even limit access to emergency services for those that may need them. There has been a surge in scrap copper prices, and this has been blamed for the rising level of theft when it comes to copper wiring used by BT.

Head of Security for BT Openreach, Bernie Auguste, stated: “Any criminal who targets the BT network in Scotland now risks being invisibly tagged with SmartWater. Cable theft affects not only us as a business, it affects everyone who relies on access to phones and broadband.” A police official added: “Cable and metal theft is high on BTP’s agenda due to the disruption and economic effect it has on businesses and communities.”

Source – News.Scotsman