In northwest British Columbia, a significant telecommunications outage has left thousands without access to digital communication. This disruption is linked to vandalism, as thieves targeted essential copper cables belonging to Telus.
Details of the Outage
The outage commenced early on Monday at approximately 3 a.m. It spans a vast area of the province, impacting regions from Burns Lake, west of Prince George, to Terrace, Prince Rupert, and Haida Gwaii.
Location of the Incident
The incident occurred near Sheraton, B.C., about 20 kilometers east of Burns Lake. During the theft attempt, criminals severed fibre optic lines, resulting in a failure of various services.
Services Affected
- Internet access
- Cellphone texts
- Voice calls on mobile and home phones
- 911 emergency services
Although Telus has arranged for emergency cellphone service through another carrier, data, internet, and some texting capabilities remain unavailable.
Restoration Timeline
Telus estimates that normal service might be restored by Monday evening, but the impact of the outage is already being felt significantly, especially by local businesses.
Impact on Local Businesses
In Prince Rupert, a cruise ship docked nearby added to the frustration, as patrons without cash could not purchase items from local restaurants and vendors. Many establishments rely on internet access for their point-of-sale systems, slowing down operations.
Emergency Service Response
Burns Lake RCMP confirmed receiving reports of the cut lines around 9:30 a.m. PT and are currently investigating the incident. Northern Health reported that 21 of its sites are affected; however, all major health facilities have backup satellite internet through Starlink.
Furthermore, B.C. Emergency Health Services assured that paramedics can still respond to emergencies with access to cellular and satellite phones.
Ongoing Issue of Copper Theft
This incident is not an isolated one. The Canadian Telecommunications Association indicates that copper theft has surged significantly, leading to numerous service interruptions across Canada. B.C. Hydro also reported over 20 copper theft incidents that have impacted their operations in the last two years.
As the investigation continues, authorities emphasize the need to address the ongoing problem of copper theft to prevent future disruptions.
