Buncombe County residents and businesses faced a significant internet and phone service outage on Tuesday, August 4, following an act of vandalism. Spectrum crews reported that fiber-optic lines on London Road in Asheville were pulled down, creating a ripple effect of service disruptions across the area until repairs were completed by 4 p.m.
Local businesses felt the immediate impact as digital operations stalled. Hostess Haddie Herr at The Blackbird Restaurant noted that the outage forced staff to rely on manual, handwritten tracking for orders and reservations. While backup systems eventually allowed them to open, the incident highlights how dependent modern service industries are on stable connectivity.
For residents, the disruption caused anxiety regarding public safety and emergency access. Although Buncombe County confirmed that 911 services remained operational, individuals expressed concerns about the fragility of infrastructure. Local authorities and company officials are currently investigating the incident as part of a broader pattern of telecommunications attacks. Industry data shows a 59% increase in such attacks nationwide over the past year.
Spectrum is now offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest in this case. Anyone with details regarding the incident on London Road is encouraged to contact the Asheville Police Department or call Spectrum’s tip line. Officials emphasize that thieves often target these lines believing they contain copper, despite the cable being made of fiber optics with no resale value.