Jio, Airtel, Vi link equipment theft to foreign websites, ask DoT to block them
Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), representing major telecom operators such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea, has raised concerns over the escalating cases of telecom equipment theft and urged government intervention. In a letter addressed to telecom secretary Neeraj Mittal, COAI highlighted the significant losses and expenses incurred by telcos in replacing stolen equipment at affected sites, ultimately affecting customer services.
The association called upon the Department of Telecom (DoT) to address the issue urgently by prioritising complaints related to equipment theft and ensuring stringent action. COAI emphasised the need for cooperation between the DoT and state authorities to tackle this growing problem effectively.
COAI also urged the DoT to take immediate steps to block several foreign websites, including eBay, Alibaba, Telefly, Seeker816, and Dorfatrade, which are allegedly involved in selling stolen active equipment from member telcos' networks.
«It is...critical that these websites are blocked immediately,» COAI stated in its letter to the DoT.
The telecom industry body underscored the urgency of the situation, noting a significant rise in equipment theft incidents since October 2023.
«This is to bring to your kind attention a very serious issue being faced by our member TSPs (telecom service providers) across multiple circles – the incidents of theft of active equipment are at an all-time high...from October 2023 onwards, such incidents have increased multifold,»
