Romanian mayor risks fine over cutting internet, TV cables

The Regional Commissariat of the Timiş Consumer Protection Department is looking into the case of Timişoara mayor Nicolae Robu cutting the aerial cables in the city’s downtown area.

Sorin Susanu, a Consumer Protection head commissioner, said the mayor needs to answer for cutting the cables that belong to TV, telephony and internet operators, News.roreported.

Robu cut the aerial cables in the city’s downtown area in mid-March. The move came after telecom operators ignored the City Hall’s requests to move the cables underground, he said. The mayor cut some of the TV and internet cables himself, alongside a team of workers from the City Hall.

Susanu said he asked the mayor to show that he had the work safety approval and a psychologist’s approval to perform work at a high altitude.

Besides a fine, the mayor might have to pay damages to the consumers who were left without a service, Susanu said.

The mayor of Timişoara declared himself surprised by the statements of the Consumer Protection inspector and said he did “a good thing for Timişoara.” He explained that some of the poles are in danger of falling because of the weight of the cables, and this could have tragic consequences.

He insisted that all aerial cables need to be moved underground and that operators have the needed underground infrastructure to move them, Stiri.tvr.ro reported. The City Hall gave the operators the deadline of April 8 to move the cables. If they do not, a similar operation to cut the aerial cables is set to take place.

(Photo: Inquam Photos / Virgil Simionescu)