Minas Gerais State-Owned Company Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Telecommunications Cables

The Brazilian state-owned energy company, Minas Gerais Energy Company (Cemig), has made significant progress in removing 16.2 tons of irregular telecommunications cables from its poles in 66 cities across Minas Gerais in the first six months of 2025. This effort is part of a broader initiative to crack down on cables installed illegally or without sharing agreements within Cemig's infrastructure. The company has been actively inspecting its approximately 2.3 million poles in 774 municipalities, identifying over 900 companies operating illegally and issuing more than 17,000 notifications to telecommunications companies.

Key Takeaways:

• Cemig has removed 16.2 tons of irregular telecommunications cables in the first six months of 2025, primarily in 66 cities across Minas Gerais.
• The company has inspected approximately 2.3 million poles in 774 municipalities, identifying over 900 companies operating illegally.
• Cemig has issued more than 17,000 notifications to telecommunications companies requiring them to adapt their wiring throughout its concession area.
• The number of notifications issued is 30.5% higher than the entire previous year, when 10,524 notifications were issued to data processing companies.
• The crackdown aims to reduce the risk of public damage caused by illegally installed equipment and promote awareness-raising initiatives to educate companies about the risks and need for regularization.
• Cemig has maintained an updated registry of companies that use its poles legally, supported by information obtained from the census.
• The company has also reinforced its notifications to companies operating illegally and worked with municipalities to promote awareness-raising initiatives.

Statistics:

• 16.2 tons of irregular telecommunications cables removed from Cemig's poles in the first six months of 2025.
• Approximately 2.3 million poles inspected in 774 municipalities across Minas Gerais.
• Over 900 companies identified operating illegally.
• More than 17,000 notifications issued to telecommunications companies.
• 30.5% increase in notifications issued compared to the previous year.
• 10,524 notifications issued in the previous year.
• Cemig has worked with 774 municipalities in Minas Gerais.

Sources:

• https://www.agenciaminas.mg.gov.br/noticia/cemig-ja-retirou-mais-de-16-toneladas-de-cabos-irregulares-de-telecomunicacao-em-postes-em-2025