Deliberate damage to Optimum’s fiber-optic network near I-35 and Northwest Boulevard cut internet service for a sizeable slice of Williamson County on Monday, leaving many Georgetown households and businesses suddenly offline. Technicians were sent out overnight to patch the damaged lines as residents reported spotty connections or no service at all during a busy mid-July evening.
Company says the network was targeted
In a statement to Community Impact, Optimum Communications Manager Kirstin Carroll said repair crews discovered that the company’s fiber had been intentionally cut in what appeared to be an attempt to steal copper for resale, even though Optimum’s fiber “does not contain copper and the cords are worthless once cut.”
Carroll said about one-third of Optimum customers in Georgetown, Jarrell, Sun City, Serenada, Weir, Santa Rita Ranch, Florence and Granger were affected, and confirmed the company has filed a police report. “We sincerely apologize to our customers who are experiencing an internet service disruption,” the company said, adding that repair teams expected service to be fully restored by early morning July 14.
Copper theft has knocked out service elsewhere
Thieves targeting wiring for scrap have caused similar headaches across Texas and around the country, with utility and telecom providers warning that the damage can interrupt everything from emergency calls to day-to-day business operations. Axios reported that AT&T has recorded thousands of copper theft incidents and noted that Texas law now treats damaging copper or brass components of critical infrastructure as a felony when it impairs service.
How to report damage and stay safe
Optimum urged residents to report any signs of damage to fiber-optic cables and reiterated that it has filed a police report, according to Community Impact. If you see suspicious activity around utility poles or cable vaults, officials advise calling 911 first and then contacting your provider, rather than confronting anyone. Cut or exposed cable can be hazardous and should only be handled by trained crews.
The company also cautioned that restoration timelines can shift depending on how extensive the damage turns out to be. Customers are encouraged to keep an eye on account notifications or the company’s outage pages for updates as work continues into Tuesday morning. Those who rely on internet for work or critical devices may want to line up temporary options such as mobile hotspots or cellular backup while service is being restored.
