A major disruption in Hyderabad occurred when broadband services were cut off in many areas. This happened after the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) removed cables from power poles.
In just two days, over 100,000 internet connections were lost. TGSPDCL used heavy-duty wire cutters to remove these cables as a safety measure. This action followed several electrocution incidents reported in the city. Cable cutting across the Greater Hyderabad area led to a massive internet outage starting Monday. The fiber-to-home internet services were hit hard, affecting offices and people working from home. This caused sudden broadband failures, impacting digital transactions, communication, and surveillance in residential zones. Many residents complained their internet was cut off without any prior warning.
Internet service providers (ISPs) renting poles from the power department faced severe disruptions. Companies with their own poles also experienced issues, but less severely.
The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) criticized TGSPDCL for cutting optical fiber cables, severely affecting home broadband. SP Kochhar, Director General of COAI, stated that internet cables don’t carry electricity and aren’t part of the power infrastructure. He emphasized that cable cuts have led to serious connectivity issues, which is now a critical service. COAI mentioned that telecom operators are working quickly to restore connections, urging the electricity department to avoid widespread cable removal affecting millions. Meanwhile, power officials claimed they had notified cable operators before the operation, though the action still led to numerous complaints.
