AT&T becomes victim of sabotage in Northern California

Fiber optic cables are typically well-protected from damage or anything that would sever them. Early on the morning of April 9th however, fiber optic cables belonging to AT&T were cut and it was no accident. Whoever cut the cables knew exactly where they were going and what they were cutting as equipment was required to lift manhole covers and cut through thickly coated and covered wires. If the vandals responsible for this were targeting AT&T, they must have missed the fact that Verizon and Sprint also relied on those cables and were affected by the damage, too. Landlines, cell phones and Internet connections are affected – including the ability to make 911 emergency calls. A spokesman for AT&T said, “Clearly, we have some vandalism. Someone purposefully and deliberately cut the wires.” No one knows when services will be restored and AT&T is offering $100,000 for information that leads to the conviction of these criminals (you can call (408) 947-7867 or (650) 802-4423 with any information you might have). As of this morning, AT&T reports that services have been restored.

Thanks, Jess.

Read

Tags: , , , , , , ,

44 Responses to “AT&T becomes victim of sabotage in Northern California”

  1. 26
    deutchland says:

    i hope t-mobile did it!-hahahaha!

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  2. 27
    Cyn says:

    Oh D, didn’t you know our Pres. is closing GITMO? I’m sure the offender would rot in a regular prison…that is unless they isolate it to someone other than a CWA member. In that case it will be swiftly swept under the rug. I’m sure AT&T has nothing to gain from prosecuting anyone else. This whole thing is just being spun to vilify CWA members, yet the irony of the situation is those same members were the ones to restore the outage. I don’t know anyone who would want that kind of OT forced upon them. Trust me…the “greedy union members” also have families and lives outside of work and certainly have better things to do. I sincerely doubt they will be able to identify the perpetrator(s) responsible unless there is some sort of visual evidence. $250K is a lot of money, though…good luck in collecting on that! It is an unfortunate situation, I’m just glad the restoral was swift. Imagine how long it would have taken in the event those CWA members were not there to do the work…hmmmm wake up folks!

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  3. 28
    jazzyl says:

    Well I also suspect a roberry linked to this……Guantanamo Bay will be closing or closed already thanks Obama…. They should go to Rikers Island

    Sent via BlackBerry.

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  4. 29
    The Great W8 says:

    What kind of sandwich do they serve at Guantanamo Bay?

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  5. 30
    D. says:

    Fishsticks

    Thumb up Thumb down +1

  6. 31
    InTheCableBusiness says:

    No matter who did this, the fault for not having uninterrupted service is AT&T’s. AT&T is supposed to have reduntant paths so that if trunk lines get cut, service can get re-routed. Cables get cut everyday due to road construction, gas line, water line, etc., constructions crews. And AT&T’s statement that the cable was “protected by a tough plastic” – like that was supposed prevent this from happening – is ludicrous.

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  7. 32
    glenn says:

    Whoever did it obviously knew what they were doing. People want to joke about it being the CWA and then talk shit about the CWA for fighting for better contracts… And then use the economy as an excuse… Does anyone realize that its a 4 year contract… So in 2011 when the economy is back on their feet will still be stuck with a 2.5 percent raise and a max cap of 18.50…

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  8. 33
    Cwhit says:

    Stop pointing fingers, stop being greedy, help the customer. help us live better with our families. Too you at the top, and you in the trenches. 12 yr laid off Pacbell, SBC, ATT loyal umemployed skilled worker. watching the implosion of some great RBOC’s.

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  9. 34
    Cyn says:

    InTheCableBusiness…you’re right about the redundant paths. It is my understanding that particular path was not properly backed up because of some easement issues. I don’t know the specifics, but an NTech in the area said it has to have been done by someone who knew that particular weakness in the network existed. If the proper redundancy was in place this never would have happened.

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  10. 35
    jon says:

    Inthecablebusiness, do you also blame rape victims?

    Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone) at: Prosper United States

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  11. 36
    MyGodComPlex says:

    ROFLMAO!

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  12. 37
    MyGodComPlex says:

    D. Said: Fishsticks

    ROFLMAO!

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  13. 38
    bunti says:

    Let’s go back and check street camera pics . You guys install it everywhere.

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  14. 39
    Don Louie says:

    Why do these stories have a Sprint tag?

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  15. 40
    backbeat says:

    ^That’s it! It’s a vast GSM conspiracy against DonVinnie Von BitchBoy. It’s all so clear now! :)

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  16. 41
    Don Louie says:

    Where did I say it involved me, just don’t understand the Sprint tag when there is no mention of them in either article?

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  17. 42
    The Great W8 says:

    Spending alot of time on the computer dont you guys have some sort of Olympics to prepare for?

    Thumb up Thumb down +1

  18. 43
    Ronald J. Meyer says:

    Stupid is, as Stupid does….
    Ignorance is bliss and this is why so many people countinue to ignor the good advise.
    If you have nothing to say, Don’t say it.
    Just for the record, SBC Bought AT&T, Bell South and others. SBC just adopted the brand Nname of AT&T.

    Thumb up Thumb down 0

  19. 44
    Abe Michaels says:

    Sadly, it looks liek a case of a CWA member who went too far. It feels like a terrorist attack on the nation’s infrastructure.

    Thumb up Thumb down -1

Leave a Reply