The Impact of Copper Wire Theft on Critical Infrastructure

Imagine calling for help and hearing nothing. During a surgery, a hospital loses internet access, turning your child into a patient without communication. They struggle to perform tasks, reach banks, or connect with doctors, all because thieves have stolen copper wire to sell it as scrap.

This isn’t just a hypothetical scenario; these incidents are occurring across the nation. Recently, around 5,500 streetlights in Tucson went out due to such theft, and the Denver A Line train was halted, leading to a significant loss of $1.25 million. In Bakersfield, California, thieves stripped wiring from an electric car charging station.

Broadband is essential to daily American life. Protecting it transcends being merely a business concern—it directly affects consumers.

It’s not just about slow connections. Recent reports have unveiled a concerning rise in theft and vandalism targeting America’s broadband and wireless networks. Between June 2024 and June 2025, there were over 15,000 incidents of theft, disrupting services for more than 9.5 million customers across the country. The first half of 2025 witnessed an almost doubling of such incidents compared to the previous six months.

Hospitals, schools, 911 centers, and even military bases are increasingly vulnerable due to these attacks.

Wider Implications

The financial impact of stolen wire pales in comparison to the damage caused. From June to December 2024, outages linked to theft cost society between $38 million and $188 million. California faced losses of $29.3 million, and Texas incurred $18.1 million, while smaller states like Kentucky also reported extensive damage. Each cut cable sends ripples through communities, leaving them in silence.

This isn’t just petty crime; it’s organized, strategic theft. Some criminals target specific copper or fiber optic cables, while others mistakenly damage fibers believing they contain metal. Regardless, the fallout is the same: confusion, costs, and increased risks.

Consumers bear the brunt of these disruptions. Each incident can cripple access to emergency services, hinder small businesses, and disrupt healthcare, banking, and remote work. In particular, broadband expansion has lagged, particularly in rural areas.

Escalating Concerns

Some of these acts are severe enough that authorities now view them as potential domestic terrorism. In Missouri, for instance, Charter Communications reported a staggering 200% increase in serious attacks on fiber-optic networks this year. Vandals in Van Nuys, California, cut thirteen fiber lines overnight, compromising 911 services, military bases, and hospitals for more than 30 hours. These attacks are coordinated and life-threatening.

Investments from businesses, taxpayers, and consumers have created these networks, and allowing criminals to dismantle them for little gain is unacceptable.

Currently, federal laws do not treat attacks on broadband infrastructure with the same severity as those on pipelines, railroads, or the power grid. Many states still have outdated or nonexistent penalties, effectively allowing criminals to act without fear of consequences.

A Call to Action

In response, Congress has introduced HR 2784, the Bipartisan Stop Broadband Theft and Vandalism Act, championed by Representative Laurel Lee (R-Florida) and Representative Mark Vesey (D-Texas). This legislation aims to explicitly criminalize attacks on broadband infrastructure and equip law enforcement with necessary enforcement powers.

By including broadband systems in the list of critical assets under Title 18 of the United States Code, lawmakers would convey a clear message: this is not merely scrapping metal—this is a serious offense that will be prosecuted.

To safeguard consumers and our interconnected economy, lawmakers need to:

• Enhance penalties for theft or destruction of communication infrastructure, aligning them with protections for other critical sectors.
• Hold scrap dealers accountable and crack down on black market sales.
• Bolster funding and coordination for law enforcement agencies to effectively investigate and prosecute network attacks.
• Support industry-led security enhancements while preventing regulatory burdens that could slow innovations.

States like Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina have already made efforts to combat these crimes, and Congress should take notes.

Protecting Our Investments

Broadband serves as a vital component of American life and should not be viewed as merely a business issue; it affects every consumer. Americans shouldn’t need to worry about connectivity when they need it most.

We have established a connected economy. The time to protect it is now, or else we risk letting those who seek to destroy it win.