Thousands of residents across northwest B.C. are currently without phone or internet service after a failed attempt to steal copper cables cut off crucial Telus fibre lines.
The outage began around 3 a.m. Monday near Sheraton, B.C., roughly 20 kilometres east of Burns Lake. According to Telus, vandals targeting copper cables accidentally cut through the fibre optic lines that power the phone, wireless calls/texts, internet, and 911 access, according to CBC News.
The damage has triggered a massive service failure stretching from Burns Lake all the way to Terrace, Prince Rupert, and Haida Gwaii.
The disruption has hit local economies and came at a bad time. In Prince Rupert, a cruise ship was docked Monday, but many visitors were unable to make purchases as businesses couldn’t process digital payments. Local vendors and restaurants have been forced to turn away customers who don’t have cash.
Emergency services are currently operating on backup networks. Northern Health stated that 21 of its sites are impacted, but acute care facilities are staying online using Starlink satellite internet. B.C. Emergency Health Services confirmed that paramedics remain able to respond to calls using satellite and cellular phones.
Telus has rerouted emergency cellphone traffic through another carrier to maintain 911 access, though data and texting remain intermittent. The company estimates that service should be restored by Monday evening.
With the price of copper skyrocketing, thieves continue to target telecom copper lines, which in turn causes outages. Burns Lake RCMP are currently investigating the theft.
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