Residents and businesses in sections of North and Central Georgetown were left without communication services between Wednesday night and Thursday morning after thieves vandalised cables, in what One Communications has described as one of the year’s most serious disruptions.

The company confirmed that incidents of copper cable theft have surged in 2025, now accounting for nearly half of all service interruptions. Vandals have also mistakenly damaged parts of the fibre network, further compounding the problem and leaving communities disconnected.
“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.”
Reports of cable vandalism have been documented in multiple communities, including South and North Ruimveldt, Lodge, Werk-en-Rust, Albouystown, Bourda, South and North Cummingsburg, Subryanville, Kingston, and along the East Bank. In some cases, cables have been cut in broad daylight, with poles stripped of wiring.

One Communications is urging citizens to assist intackling the problem by reporting suspicious activities to its hotline, 0663, and by monitoring updates through the company’s social media platforms.
To address the issue, the company is collaborating with the Office of the Prime Minister, the Scrap Metal Unit, and the Guyana Police Force to curb the trade in stolen copper and bring offenders to justice.
While emergency teams continue efforts to restore service, One Communications said a long-term solution lies in accelerating customer migration to fibre in areas where it is available.
“These acts of vandalism undermine safety, disrupt education, and slow economic growth,” the company said in a statement. “This is now a national crisis that requires collective action from all stakeholders, law enforcement, regulators, businesses, communities, and citizens alike.”