1 Message
Fiber Optic Cable has been stolen 6 times
We have lost WiFi 6 times over the last 7 weeks because thieves are stealing fiber optic cable in our neighborhood. Every outage takes 2-3 days to repair since they are cutting 5 main trunks about 2 blocks from my house. They keep coming back to the same place to cut the cables. AT&T keeps coming out to make the repairs but we do not see they are taking active measures to prevent further theft.
Questions:
How do we communicate with someone at AT&T who has the authority to order preventative measures, ie, surveillance to catch the thieves?
If we cut ties with AT&T and go with, say, Spectrum, will this make a difference? Are other providers as susceptible to this problem at AT&T is? What questions do I need to ask other providers as I'm evaluating making a change?
JefferMC
ACE - Expert
•
36K Messages
3 months ago
Any "wired" provider is subject to having its fibers or other cables cut, so Spectrum could have the same problem. There's no real financial benefit to be gained from stealing small sections of fiber or coax, so it sounds like more spite than for financial benefit. Someone needs to setup camera and film the vandals and call the police.
You could go Fixed Wireless with any who provide service in your area, which would reduce the cable exposure to only those feeding the towers, but then you have weirdos climbing the towers and turning power off.
Satellite internet service (e.g. Starlink) would be proof against cable cutters and tower climbers... but someone could still fly a drone over your Dishy McFlatface.
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