Thai telco True Corporation has confirmed it's taking legal action against thieves stealing mobile tower equipment from its sites.

As part of the company's plans to tackle the issue, True today (September 2) said that it has appointed a legal firm to collaborate with the police on all cases, including thefts of lithium batteries, cables, and base station equipment across Thailand.

The company, which has more than 50 million customers, said that recent thefts have caused significant service disruption to its customers, especially in the Eastern and Northeastern regions.

True said it is working with police to find criminal gangs and their financial networks. The company added it aims to "prosecute all offenders to the fullest extent."

It will also investigate the black markets, where the stolen goods are being sold, and has warned consumers to be cautious when purchasing second-hand lithium batteries to avoid being duped into buying stolen property.

A range of equipment has been stolen from sites, including lithium batteries, cables, air conditioners, and solar panels. At some locations, metal equipment, ladders, and fences have even been taken, while damage has been caused in the process at the sites.

True noted that it has instructed legal firm B and L to represent them in filing complaints with Pol. Lt. Col. Chatkanin Insorn at Phanthong Police Station in Chonburi Province. The company is pressing charges against thieves who stole equipment from mobile signal towers in the Amata City Chonburi industrial estate area. It said that in this instance, cables were cut with the intention of being sold on, while the act of theft caused outages to users in the area.

“These thefts severely impact mobile network services, which are essential digital infrastructure," said Rittiron Preodprom, an attorney from B and L Law Firm who is representing True Corporation.

"Base stations have to shut down temporarily due to power supply disruptions, affecting many people’s ability to use mobile phones, including basic communication, daily apps, business, online transactions, and education, causing widespread public inconvenience.”

The legal firm will pursue criminal charges for theft, targeting thieves operating as individuals or in groups, or those using vehicles to help.

If found guilty of these crimes, criminals face up to seven years in prison and fines of up to 100,000 baht ($2,925), or both. Such penalties cannot be settled, and civil claims for damages will also be pursued to the fullest extent, added True.

"Consumers should be cautious when purchasing second-hand equipment, especially lithium batteries often used with home solar systems. They should buy from reputable sellers and verify the source of the products to avoid inadvertently purchasing stolen goods,” added Rittiron.

The issue of theft at telecom towers is a global one, stretching from the US, across Europe, Asia, and Africa.

There have been several reports from the US this year, including one in late August where two men were arrested in Georgia for attempted theft of batteries at a tower. The duo were linked with previous thefts in the area. Similar incidents have also occurred in Wisconsin, Florida, Minnesota, and Massachusetts.

In South Africa, the country's big telcos, MTN, Telkom, and Vodacom have all stepped up efforts to combat theft at their tower sites.