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DIPA urges Odisha to take action against tower theft, sabotage

Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) Director General, T R Dua, in a letter to Odisha government’s Chief Secretary, Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, urges the Odisha government to take strict action against miscreants involved in theft and sabotage of tower infrastructure:

“We, Digital Infrastructure Providers Association (DIPA) formerly known as Tower and Infrastructure Providers Association (TAIPA), apex representative body of Telecom Infrastructure Providers Category – I (IP-1), formed to expedite the rollout of the Telecom Infrastructure in the country. DIPA members have been registered as Infrastructure Provider Category –I (IP-I) with Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India for providing Telecommunication Infrastructure services by installing and maintaining telecom Infrastructure such as telecom towers, fibre, ducts, cables and other telecom network infrastructure. Our members include all key players in the telecom infrastructure sector i.e. Indus Towers Limited, ATC Telecom Infrastructure P Ltd, Ascend Telecom, Summit Digital Infrastructure, Tower Vision, Suyog Telematics, Sterlite Technologies, Coslight, Space Teleinfra, Applied Solar Technologies, ibus Networks & V Con telecom towers.

This is with reference to industry submissions made during 2nd State Broadband Committee Meeting held dated 23-Dec-21 and various F.I.R and complaints logged in districts of Odisha (attached) in regard of theft and sabotage on Telecom Towers.

Sir, we regret to inform that despite many industry submissions and meetings the incidents are not coming down thus impeding the growth and expansion of robust telecom infrastructure in the State of Odisha therefore hindering Govt of India visionary programs i.e. “Digital India”, ‘’National Broadband Mission’’ & ‘’Smart Cities’’.

Key issues which are being faced by Telecom Industry are mentioned below:

• Miscreant elements are stealing telecom infra like Battery Banks, DG battery, DG spare parts, Diesel from the tower sites.

• F.I.R not being filed by police resulting in a dual loss. One, the equipment is stolen from the sites. Two, we are not able to claim the loss from insurance companies in the absence of FIR.

• There are also increase in cases of sabotage of telecom towers.

Further, it is pertinent to mention that a robust Telecom Infrastructure is the essential to enable ubiquitous connectivity and connect the unconnected. A robust and scalable telecom infrastructure is the bedrock for realizing the ambitious vision of the Government of Odisha.

Needless to mention, such unscrupulous incidences are causing disruption of network services and lot of inconvenience to the public at large.

We, therefore, request your urgent intervention into the matter to direct the police authorities / law enforcement agencies and district administration regarding ensuring security of telecom towers in Odisha and also take requisite action against the miscreants who are involved in the theft.

Looking forward for your support.” CT Bureau

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