When copper thieves strike, the consequences ripple throughout our communities.

When a communications line is stolen or vandalized, it doesn’t just impact the provider. It disrupts the ability of residents, businesses, law enforcement and emergency services to stay connected. For a quick payday at a scrap yard, criminals put the safety and livelihood of thousands at risk. 

Between June and December 2024, there were 5,770 reported copper theft incidents nationwide, impacting more than 1.5 million customers. In 2025 alone, AT&T has recorded more than 7,000 copper theft and vandalism incidents across the country.

This is not a distant problem; it is happening in neighborhoods and communities right here in Georgia. At AT&T, we have experienced more than 160 copper theft incidents in Georgia so far this year and there are two months remaining. That’s one almost every other day. 

In one instance, thieves stole nearly 4,000 feet of copper wiring – the equivalent of 13 football fields – leaving an entire neighborhood without internet service for 24 hours.

Copper theft and vandalism are not minor crimes. They damage communications infrastructure, disrupt essential connectivity for our customers and put emergency services and 911 communications at risk. 

When copper cables are stolen, the impact is immediate: network operations are disrupted, and customers of all sizes lose access to connectivity and vital services. In many cases, fiber and copper cables are placed side-by-side so when copper is stolen the damage can extend to our fiber networks as well, impacting even more Georgians.

At AT&T, we take copper theft seriously, and we are acting on multiple fronts to prevent it. 

We are reinforcing vulnerable sites, welding manhole covers, adding traceable markings and paint on copper wiring and utilizing surveillance and sensor technology. We are working closely with law enforcement, and in some areas, we offer rewards for information leading to arrests. And when theft does occur, our dedicated technicians mobilize immediately to restore service as quickly as possible.

Fortunately, Georgia lawmakers have taken meaningful steps to curb copper theft by strengthening restrictions and enforcing stricter penalties.  

In addition to supporting smart public policy, AT&T is modernizing our networks by migrating from copper to fiber. Copper theft doesn’t just cause immediate outages; repairs are lengthy and labor-intensive. Copper materials are harder to source, and the equipment needed to maintain copper networks is increasingly scarce. 

Fiber, by contrast, is faster to repair, easier to maintain and relies on materials that are more readily available. Every dollar spent repairing stolen copper is a dollar that could have been invested in fiber buildouts to deliver more reliable, resilient connections to communities across Georgia.

AT&T’s efforts to combat copper theft underscore our commitment to protecting public safety and serving our customers here in Georgia. 

By collaborating with local officials, law enforcement and industry partners, we are working to prevent theft and secure communications infrastructure. 

But we need your help. Community awareness is critical to stopping copper theft. 

If you see something suspicious like unfamiliar trucks, individuals tampering with telecommunications lines or copper being hauled away, report it immediately to law enforcement and to AT&T Global Security at (800) 807-4205. If you own or operate a recycling business, please stay alert to potentially stolen materials. 

Copper theft is not a victimless crime. It threatens public safety, drains resources and undermines the progress Georgia has made in expanding internet connectivity. But together, we can put a stop to it.

At AT&T, we remain committed to protecting our network and the Georgians who rely on it. With your support, we can keep our communities safe, strong and connected.

Riley Blount serves as president of AT&T Georgia.