Copper Theft - What We’re Missing

In conversations with colleagues across the industry, I often hear a similar theory about why copper-based infrastructure is failing: the networks are old (true), and maintenance hasn’t kept up (not true). However, what I see every day in Southern California is that organized copper theft is happening more frequently and on a much larger scale.

If this were only about aging copper facilities, it would be a challenging but manageable infrastructure problem. Utilities and telecom providers have always addressed aging systems through planned upgrades, maintenance cycles, and capital investment. That’s not new. In fact, AT&T has committed billions of dollars over the next five years to build the nation’s best and largest network, designed with the capacity and resilience needed for the next era of innovation and economic growth.

In many major metropolitan areas and small towns, copper theft has escalated to levels that can only be described as systemic. And it’s not just telecom. Anything that uses copper is a target, including:

• Railroads and transit systems
• Power utilities
• HVAC contractors
• Transportation and roadway infrastructure
• City lighting systems
• Construction projects

Copper is found inside critical systems that support modern life, and those stealing it know exactly where to find it.

Southern California is my home. It’s where I grew up and built my life and career, so this is personal to me. Every day, I spend time walking the streets with local law enforcement and our technicians and following up on cases of copper theft. Here, there are days when hundreds of copper theft incidents occur across multiple industries. That volume creates a difficult reality:

• We can’t repair damage as fast as it happens.
• Some damage goes undetected for weeks or months.
• Crews are often stuck in a constant cycle of reacting to the next incident.

Many of these instances of copper theft do not appear to be one-off, opportunistic acts. We are seeing clear evidence of organized crime, such as the use of heavy machinery and coordinated thefts on the same lines at the same time. Our teams work directly with local law enforcement, as well as California Attorney General Bonta and state lawmakers, to help pass stronger laws and ensure these criminals are held accountable.

A lot of money and effort are going into mitigation. Across our industry, organizations are deploying:

• New detection and monitoring technology
• Physical security upgrades
• Closer coordination with law enforcement
• Dedicated investigation and response teams

We’re not alone, the telecom industry as a whole is facing this challenge. US broadband operators invested nearly $90 billion in communications infrastructure in 2024, according to US Telecom's 2024 Broadband Capex Report. As a company, AT&T experienced more than 10,400 copper theft incidents, with a weekly average of 200 incidents reported nationwide at the end of 2025. Losses for 2025 exceeded $82 million. In California alone, we experienced more than 7,300 copper theft incidents in 2025, with losses exceeding $54 million.

When copper theft occurs, it affects connectivity, transportation, lighting, and service availability. When these systems are hit, it’s not just “network reliability” at stake. It’s a commute that breaks down and a neighborhood left in the dark.

But you can help.

If you see suspicious activity around utility or telecom equipment, call local law enforcement. You can also reach out to AT&T Global Security at 1-888-871-2622. Information can remain confidential, and protecting this infrastructure is about protecting one another.