The Internet & Television Association in the US has released a concerning report highlighting 18,327 incidents of theft and vandalism impacting the network of wires that deliver Internet connectivity to homes. This alarming trend has affected nearly 12 million individuals, equating to an average of 1,527 incidents each month, or approximately 50 per day. Furthermore, this issue has intensified, with a 59% increase since 2024. For a detailed overview, readers can access the report here (PDF).
In response to this growing crisis, the nation’s three largest carriers—AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon—have come together to join the STRIKE initiative. STRIKE, which stands for “Strategic Threat Response & Infrastructure Knowledge Exchange,” aims to facilitate better coordination among service providers for enhanced network protection.
Cut copper cablesCopper wires are frequently targeted for theft due to their metallic value. However, fiber optic cables are also at risk, often being vandalized. Industry leaders are now advocating for these crimes to be classified as acts of terrorism, given their potential impact on critical services like hospitals and schools, as well as emergency response accessibility.
The aging copper-based infrastructure, originally established years ago, has struggled due to poor maintenance. The escalating frequency of attacks is prompting service providers to upgrade to fiber optic cables, which are less valuable for resale and provide significantly faster Internet speeds.
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