Mobile telecommunications providers in and around Dhaka have reported a significant increase in theft and vandalism targeting critical network infrastructure, resulting in service disruptions and financial damage. The Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB) formally alerted the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) on September 16, urging authorities to investigate and curb the rising incidents.

The spike in thefts has affected multiple areas including Badda, Mohammadpur, Lalbagh, Narayanganj, Narsingdi, Savar, and Gazipur. Stolen items have ranged from power cables and remote radio units (RRUs) to base transceiver station (BTS) cards, feeder cables, and batteries essential for network operation. According to AMTOB, the number of stolen BTS cards escalated sharply from 47 cases in 2025 to 170 cases recorded by August 2026.

While thefts of BTS cards and power cables have surged notably, some equipment categories such as RRU and battery thefts have seen a slight decline. Lt Col Mohammad Zulfikar, secretary general of AMTOB, highlighted the magnitude of the problem, noting the theft of over 16,000 meters of power cable and approximately 2,000 batteries over a 20-month period.

The increase in theft has led to frequent network outages, which have disrupted emergency communications, business operations, and access to digital services. Telecom operators report that these incidents not only cause direct revenue losses but also require unplanned capital spending to replace stolen equipment. Additionally, repeated disruptions have eroded customer confidence in mobile service reliability.

AMTOB has called on law enforcement agencies to prioritize investigations and implement stronger security measures to protect telecom infrastructure. The association warns that without effective intervention, the continued losses will pose serious challenges for maintaining stable and secure mobile networks across the Dhaka metropolitan area and its surroundings.