Cities across the United States and Europe have witnessed a noticeable rise in copper thefts, coinciding with a sharp increase in global copper prices, leading to disruptions in essential services including telecommunications, public lighting, and traffic signals.
اضافة اعلان
According to market data, copper prices in the United States have jumped by more than 30% in recent months, driven by increased demand from data centers and energy projects, as well as concerns over the potential imposition of new tariffs on imports.
Utility and telecommunications companies said the price surge has turned copper into a fast-moving commodity on the black market, encouraging thieves to target overhead and underground cables, steal them within minutes, and sell them after stripping away any identifying markings.
Local reports indicated that the thefts affected telephone lines, internet cables, and power wires, resulting in repeated service outages and impacting hospitals and emergency facilities in some areas.
The reports added that tracking stolen copper remains a complex task, as it is typically sold as “bare copper” to scrap dealers, amid weak oversight in some markets.
In an effort to curb the phenomenon, telecommunications companies in several countries have begun accelerating plans to replace copper networks with fiber-optic infrastructure. However, the process faces technical challenges and high costs, particularly as millions of users continue to rely on aging infrastructure.
Experts warn that continued increases in copper prices could lead to further thefts and service disruptions unless stricter oversight of the scrap trade is enforced and network modernization plans are accelerated.
Al Arabiya.net
