Spectrum customers in Los Angeles and Ventura County faced widespread internet outages over the weekend after vandals cut the company’s fiber optic lines. The incident, which occurred Saturday, disrupted internet and streaming services early Sunday morning.
While Spectrum restored service to most of Ventura County by mid-Sunday and fully by Monday morning, technicians are still working to fix outages in parts of Los Angeles. The company has promised affected customers a full-day credit on their next bill and thanked them for their patience.
Spectrum confirmed that the attack was deliberate and part of a growing trend of telecom infrastructure vandalism. The company noted that such crimes are often motivated by rising prices of precious metals like copper. However, fiber optic cables, like the ones targeted in this case, contain no copper.
“These acts of vandalism are not only a crime, but also affect our customers, local businesses and potentially emergency services,” Spectrum stated.
Spectrum is collaborating with the Los Angeles Police Department to identify and apprehend those responsible. The company has offered a reward of up to $25,000 for credible information leading to arrests. Tips can be submitted to Spectrum at 833-404-TIPS (8477) or directly to the LAPD.
The Los Angeles Police Department has not released further details as of Monday.
The attack highlights growing concerns about infrastructure vulnerability in major urban areas. Disruptions caused by sabotage can delay emergency services, cut off vital communications, and impact small businesses relying on internet connectivity.
The outage has raised renewed concerns about the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in urban areas. With internet access essential for emergency services, small businesses, and daily communication, deliberate attacks like this one can cause widespread disruption and potential safety risks across affected communities.
