Asheville -- August 17, 2026: Spectrum recently announced a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the arrest of the individuals responsible for a recent internet and phone outage in south Asheville.
The service disruption occurred on Tuesday, August 4, after vandals physically pulled wires down from a utility pole along London Road. According to Spectrum representatives, the incident is being treated as a suspected criminal attack.
Company officials noted that thieves frequently target these utility lines under the mistaken assumption that they contain valuable copper. However, the thieves only discover after the damage is done that Spectrum's fiber optic cables contain no precious metals.
This local incident highlights a severe and growing trend across the telecommunications industry. The industry endured over 18,000 criminal attacks nationwide in 2025 as thieves attempt to harvest materials, causing widespread disruptions to essential residential, medical, and business services.
Spectrum is urging anyone with credible information regarding the London Road vandalism to contact the Asheville Police Department or call Spectrum's dedicated tip line at 833-404-TIPS.