Georgetown Fiber Attack Knocks 20,000 Offline as Damage Tops $100,000
Updated
Updated · KEYE TV CBS Austin · Jul 13
Georgetown Fiber Attack Knocks 20,000 Offline as Damage Tops $100,000
1 articles · Updated · KEYE TV CBS Austin · Jul 13
Summary
Georgetown police said about 20,000 customers lost internet service Monday after overnight damage to Optimum fiber lines also disrupted some T-Mobile service.
Investigators said the cables near I-35 and Northwest Boulevard were deliberately damaged, with losses believed to exceed $100,000; detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and filed a police report.
Optimum said crews are repairing the network but gave no timeline for full restoration, warning that fiber cuts can disrupt critical services including 911 calling.
The company linked the attack to a wider pattern of thieves targeting telecom infrastructure for copper, even though fiber lines contain no copper and little resale value once cut.