Telecommunication Minister Daryl Vaz says he has submitted to parliament a proposal to increase the fines and custodial sentences for offences under the Telecommunications Act.

This statement comes after Telecoms Companies Flow and Digicel lost some cables to vandals on Tuesday.

This resulted in the services of thousands of customers being disrupted.

The loss suffered by the companies is estimated at 300 million dollars.

Mr. Vaz said the proposal has been referred to the Legislation Committee of Parliament and would see the current fines being increased. 

He noted that it would also see some cases being tried in the circuit court which would incur greater penalties. 

The minister sought to explain the proposed increase in penalties.