HYDERABAD: With the TGSPDCL firm on continuing its crackdown on low-hanging cables that has left thousands of homes and businesses without connectivity for over three weeks, a “complete shutdown” of internet and cable TV services across Hyderabad appears imminent.
Telangana Cable TV Internet and Telecom Service Providers Welfare Association president Middela Jitender expressed a similar view, saying that the possibility of a shutdown was very real, despite the fact that MSOs and ISPs were cooperating with the TGSPDCL by bunching wires but the task on hand was “humongous” and they needed time.
The drive, launched by the TGSPDCL to cut low-hanging cables following electrocution deaths during processions, has created chaos. Permission for restoration has not been granted, leaving snapped wires lying on roads and households without service. Even offices like TNIE’s at Begumpet have experienced repeated blackouts.
“Hyderabad has nearly 2,000 km of cable lines laid over 30 years. OTT, telecom, Airtel towers — 30–40% of them are down,” Jitender said. “We have been working on this for six months. In the last 15 days alone, we cleared 500–700 km. But how can we clean one side when the government keeps snapping the other?” he asked.
Jitender pointed to local operators as part of the problem. “Small operators with “half knowledge” throw wires across poles and vanish. We are trying to streamline by removing unwanted wires and connecting a single line. But indiscriminate cutting of cables must stop.”
He added: “We accept that bunches of wires are unsafe, and we are clearing unused ones immediately. But cutting live lines without notice is destroying services. Losses have already run into lakhs. It costs `20,000 to fix just 1 km of cable.”
Cut off, frustration builds up among subscribers in city
Meanwhile, homes and workplaces have been hit hard. Children have missed online classes and employees working from home struggled with deadlines. Corporate hospitals and diagnostic labs lost broadband connectivity, while several mobile towers remained down, further weakening coverage.
“We are forced to recharge costly mobile data packs every other day, but even calls drop constantly,” said a Kukatpally resident. A software engineer from Ameerpet added: “I lost work-from-home days because of this. My company has warned me. The government and operators are blaming each other, but it is we consumers who are paying the price.”
Others echoed the frustration. “Cable operators are asking me to pay the bill without providing services,” said Anji Konaseema. A diagnostic lab technician in Banjara Hills said, “Our entire system depends on broadband to upload patient reports. For weeks, we’ve been relying on unstable mobile hotspots. Patients are suffering.” Another consumer, Sowmya, recounted how a new connection was cut just two hours after installation.
Across Telangana, there are 3.5 crore telecom service connections and nearly 1 crore internet and cable connections. “Restoration has stalled because the snapping continues. If the government regularises COAL tax, we can replace all this with one line carrying 100 fibre wires. That will both solve the mess and beautify the city. We have already submitted this proposal, but until then we need time and cooperation.”
Meanwhile, the TGSPDCL defended its actions, saying only cables hanging below 15 feet or lying unused were being removed.
“We are not cutting functioning lines. The action is purely for public safety and to protect our linemen,” a senior official told TNIE. “Operators had agreed on record to raise cables to 18 feet within three to six months, but much of this was not implemented. Around 60% of the cables on poles are unused, left behind when customers switch operators.”
He added that underground cabling was not mandatory. “If operators simply followed rules – maintaining height and clearing unused wires – these issues would not arise. About 20–30% of dangling or unused cables have already been removed. Operators were given ample time over the last one and a half years to make corrections.”
The Telangana HC had ordered that all unauthorised cables on electricity poles be removed immediately, except those installed with proper permissions and rentals paid to authorities. While the directive tightened regulation, it has also left consumers wondering how long they must remain cut off in a city where nearly every household and business depends on digital services.