[UPDATED] Police investigating TSTT cable vandalism

A HIGH-POWERED team of police officers have been detailed by acting Commissioner of Police McDonald Jacob to bring the perpetrators of an act of vandalism to TSTT's underground cables which led to major disruptions to internet and mobile services, especially in South Trinidad on the weekend.

A release on Sunday, in the name of TSTT's senior manager, corporate, environmental, social & reputation management, Khamal Georges, said officers from the Special Branch, Central Intelligence Bureau and the SAn Fernando CID were tasked Jacob – who visited the crime scene – to investigate.

Jacob, according to the release, said, “this is something of a very serious nature because of the high disruption of services to all customers, especially in the southern and south western areas, and it also posed a security risk to the whole communication network.”

Jacob said the police views this as a serious infringement on the communication apparatus of the country which at first glance, appears to be malicious damage and larceny.

"From speaking with the technical people at TSTT, it is amounting to approximately $1 million in losses,” Jacob added.

Preliminary investigations, Georges said, pointed to "a major act of vandalism" on a critical cable artery that services customers in South Trinidad.

As a result, customers’ mobile, internet and other services was "severely impacted."

People have taken to social media complaining of dropped calls on their mobile devices, patchy or non-existent internet service and when able to actually make a call via their mobile devices, they are unable to hear or communicate with the other person on the line.

TSTT said its customers in other parts of the country may also experience a degradation or interruption in their service because of this particular act of vandalism.

“There are some leads, and we are looking in the near future to solve this matter as we continue with the good cooperation of the TSTT security and the administration of TSTT,” Jacob said.

TSTT’s CEO Lisa Agard thanked Jacob for his response and is hopeful the criminals will be brought to swift justice.

This story has been updated to include additional information. Read original below:

MAJOR disruptions to internet and mobile services in South Trinidad on the weekend, is being blamed by the Telecommunications Services (TSTT) on malicious acts targeting its underground cables.

A release on Sunday, in the name of TSTT's senior manager, corporate, environmental, social & reputation management, Khamal Georges, said the company has mobilised crews and is working assiduously to restore service in the shortest time possible.

Preliminary investigations, Georges said, pointed to "a major act of vandalism" on a critical cable artery that services customers in South Trinidad.

As a result, customers’ mobile, internet and other services was "severely impacted."

People have taken to social media complaining of dropped calls on their mobile devices, patchy or non-existent internet service and when able to actually make a call via their mobile devices, they are unable to hear or communicate with the other person on the line.

TSTT said its customers in other parts of the country may also experience a degradation or interruption in their service because of this particular act of vandalism.

The state-owned telecoms company said it strongly condemns "these deliberate and selfish acts" especially since they negatively impact customers, communities and businesses.

"TSTT reminds those responsible that there are legal implications when caught. The company has engaged the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and an investigation is being launched into this latest incident."

The company said repairs were underway and full service was expected to be restored later on Sunday.