A major section of North and Central Georgetown was left without service between Wednesday night and Thursday morning after thieves targeted communications cables, in what One Communications (Guyana) described as one of the year’s most severe disruptions caused by vandalism
The company confirmed that copper vandalism has surged in 2025, now accounting for nearly half of all service interruptions. Vandals have also damaged sections of the fibre network, mistaking them for copper, leaving households and businesses disconnected and underscoring the growing seriousness of the problem.
“This is not simply theft, it is a direct attack on people’s ability to work, study, stay in touch with loved ones, and feel safe in their communities,” said Richard Stanton, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of One Communications. “The vandals who struck in Bourda are part of a troubling national trend that is putting our entire communications network at risk.”
Documented cases of cable vandalism span several communities, including South and North Ruimveldt, Lodge, Werk en Rust, Albouystown, Bourda, South and North Cummingsburg, Subryanville, Kingston, and multiple East Bank areas. Images and videos show cables slashed and poles stripped, sometimes even during the day.
One Communications urged the public to report suspicious activity through hotline 0663 and stay updated via its social media channels.
To strengthen the national response, the company said it is working with regulators including the Office of the Prime Minister, the Scrap Metal Unit, and the Guyana Police Force to curb the trade in stolen copper and bring perpetrators to justice.
Emergency teams are working around the clock to restore service, but the company stressed that customer migration to fibre in designated areas is a key long-term solution.
“These acts of vandalism undermine safety, disrupts education, and slows economic growth,” the company added. “This is now a national crisis that requires collective action from all stakeholders, law enforcement, regulators, businesses, communities, and citizens alike.”
One Communications said it remains fully committed to delivering reliable and secure connectivity and thanked customers for their patience and cooperation as prevention and restoration efforts continue.
