Criminals Vandalize Flow’s Fibre Network

Flow Boss calls on all stakeholders to support the fight against vandalism

 Telecommunications company FLOW is again reeling from repeated acts of vandalism on its network.  This time, its fibre network is threatened as the company continues to grapple with repeated acts of vandalism, particularly in Montego Bay and its environs.

“I’m calling on the authorities to help us in this fight.  This cuts across many Government Ministries as we are the enabler for most industries across the length and breadth of this country. We have to ensure that customers are connected and that economic growth areas of our country are protected,” said Stephen Price, Managing Director, as he surveyed the repair work in the Meadows of Irwin, a community that has suffered from recent repeated acts of vandalism – three in the past two weeks.

Stephen Price (3^rd left), Managing Director, Flow Jamaica, makes a point about the repeated acts of vandalism to Cephas Burrell (l), Outside Plant Field Services Manager (Western and Central)

and Ronnie Thompson (2^nd left), Senior Director of Customer Experience while Walter Brown, Vice President of Technology (on ladder) examines 

the power node supporting the delivery of voice, internet and TV services in the area.  The team was on a tour of the Meadows of Irwin – a community recently affected by repeated acts of vandalism.

“The ban against copper exports earlier this year has been useful as we have seen a decline in the vandalism of our copper network, but we are still challenged by the acts of vandalism of our fibre network including theft of elements such as batteries and generators,” Price continued.  Last year, Flow spent approximately J$300 million on repairing and replacing damaged cables across the island as a result of vandalism and theft.  Given the recent spike in vandalism, the company projects to surpass J$200 million this year for replacement of the cables, in addition to the cost for implementing additional measures to further secure its network.  This includes moving aerial cables underground, encasing batteries and generators in special cages as well as partnering with CrimeStop, where information leading to an arrest or conviction is rewarded. 

Price further stated that operating the business in this way is unsustainable as critical funds for investment to connect more communities across Jamaica had to be redeployed to repair the vandalised infrastructure.  To date, the company has invested significantly in rolling out services such as high speed internet and sophisticated TV to over 128 communities across the island.

Price urged the Government to consider stiffer penalties for perpetrators of theft and vandalism of telecommunication infrastructure stating that, “We need more stringent fines and more long-term jail sentences for criminals who are keeping our people from connecting to the internet and to essential services that they may need - the Police, Fire Brigade and Ambulance service."

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Editor’s Note:  Persons who note suspicious activities around Flow’s cables and infrastructure should call the Police at 119 or call CrimeStop at 311.

Link to video:  https://we.tl/LaliIInpAF