# Ribeirão Preto Removes 21.5 Tons of Irregular Cables in 2026 City task force targets dangerous, unauthorized telecommunications wiring to improve urban safety and aesthetics. - **Source:** [G1 – Globo](https://g1.globo.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-07 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/cb643bc9-5485-4bc1-b1bb-b6ec97259bc3 ## Massive Cleanup Operation Between January and November 2026, a task force in Ribeirão Preto removed 21.5 tons of irregular, clandestine, and abandoned telecommunications cables from public utility poles. This initiative, led by the Coinfarp commission, aims to mitigate safety risks for pedestrians and motorcyclists while simultaneously addressing the city's growing problem of visual pollution. ## Scope of Infrastructure Issues Technical inspections conducted throughout 2026 identified 381 poles occupied by clandestine installations and 904 locations containing cables lacking mandatory operator identification. These findings highlight the scale of unauthorized infrastructure usage, which complicates maintenance efforts and poses significant physical hazards to the urban environment, particularly along major thoroughfares like Avenida Presidente Vargas. ## Defining Cable Irregularities Authorities categorize the problematic wiring into three distinct types: clandestine installations made without contracts, irregular wiring that violates technical standards despite existing agreements, and abandoned 'dead' cables. These unused wires add excessive weight to pole structures, increasing the risk of structural failure and potential accidents for those navigating the city streets. ## Shared Responsibility Framework The responsibility for pole maintenance is divided among several stakeholders. CPFL Paulista, as the pole owner, manages space rentals and enforces safety regulations. Telecommunications companies are obligated to maintain and identify their cables, while the local municipal government coordinates the cleanup schedule and processes public reports of hazardous or dangling wiring. ## Enforcement and Safety Protocols When inspectors detect non-compliant wiring, the utility company issues formal notifications requiring operators to rectify the situation within a set timeframe. Failure to comply results in financial penalties or forced removal. In emergency scenarios, such as energized or fallen wires, the utility holds legal authority to perform immediate cuts without prior notice. ## Operational Challenges and Risks A major challenge during cleanup operations is the entanglement of clandestine wires with legitimate network infrastructure. In October 2026, an emergency removal in the City Ribeirão neighborhood accidentally severed internet service for local businesses. This incident underscores the difficulty teams face when attempting to isolate unauthorized cables without disrupting essential connectivity services. ## Public Reporting Channels Residents are encouraged to report dangling or low-hanging cables—those below the five-meter height requirement—via official channels. Reports can be submitted through the municipal 156 telephone line or the SAM application. Additionally, the CPFL Paulista 0800 010 1010 hotline serves as a direct contact for addressing immediate infrastructure concerns across the city. ## Safety Warning for Citizens Authorities emphasize that citizens must never attempt to pull, cut, or touch hanging cables found on public streets. There is a persistent risk that telecommunications wires may have come into contact with high-voltage electrical networks. Professional intervention is strictly required to prevent electrocution or other severe injuries during any maintenance activity. ## Sources covering this story - https://g1.globo.com/sp/ribeirao-preto-franca/noticia/2026/11/07/ribeirao-preto-recolhe-215-toneladas-de-cabos-irregulares-em-2026-saiba-quem-e-responsavel-e-como-denunciar.ghtml — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._