Vandals Disrupt Spectrum Internet by Cutting Fiber-Optic Lines
▼ Summary
– Spectrum Internet subscribers in Southern California experienced outages due to an attempted copper theft in Van Nuys, where fiber optic cables were mistakenly cut instead.
– The cable cuts disrupted service for Van Nuys and nearby areas, but Spectrum has restored service and is offering a $25,000 reward for information on the culprits.
– Affected customers will receive a one-day service credit on their next bill as compensation for the outage.
– Spectrum highlighted that network vandalism is an industry-wide issue, driven by rising precious metal prices, and affects customers, businesses, and emergency services.
– Downdetector reported thousands of outage complaints in Van Nuys starting Sunday noon, with service restored within 12 hours after technicians spliced thousands of fiber lines.
Southern California Spectrum customers faced widespread internet disruptions after vandals mistakenly severed fiber-optic cables while attempting to steal copper wiring. The incident occurred in Van Nuys, approximately 20 miles northwest of Los Angeles, causing service outages for residents and businesses across the region.
According to Spectrum representatives, the individuals responsible believed they were targeting valuable copper lines but instead damaged critical fiber infrastructure. The company swiftly restored connectivity and announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the vandals’ arrest. Affected customers will receive a one-day service credit on their next bill as compensation for the inconvenience.
Network vandalism has emerged as a growing challenge for telecom providers nationwide, driven largely by rising metal prices. Spectrum emphasized that while these crimes disrupt essential services, their fiber networks contain no copper, making such theft attempts futile. The company warned that these incidents not only inconvenience customers but also jeopardize emergency communications and local businesses.
Reports from Downdetector confirmed thousands of outage complaints in the Van Nuys area beginning Sunday morning. Technicians worked tirelessly to repair the damage, splicing thousands of fiber strands to fully restore service within 12 hours. Spectrum has not disclosed whether authorities have identified suspects but continues to collaborate with law enforcement to prevent future attacks.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to misguided theft attempts. Telecom providers urge communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity near network equipment. With fiber optics becoming the backbone of modern connectivity, protecting these systems remains a priority for both companies and customers alike.
(Source: Ars Technica)
