Copper theft is a colossal problem for telephone companies. Here’s why

Telephone companies are getting tired of their legacy copper cables. It’s bad enough old copper is difficult to maintain, people want to steal it, too. AT&T recently posted a $10,000 cash reward for information on copper cable thefts in the Austin (TX) area. Information includes details on the attempted sale or purchase of the stolen copper. The operator is also experiencing copper theft in Dallas, where customers reported they have lost phone and internet services for days at a time. Windstream’s Kinetic brand is another provider plagued by copper thieves, particularly across eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, said Barry Bishop, SVP of field operations. According to a press release from July, Kinetic estimates more than 350 residential and small business customers in the Clay County, Kentucky area have lost service due to criminal activity.