NE SPARC said on Facebook that its mainline fiber was cut yesterday afternoon at the intersection of County Road 271, Bethel Church Road and Highway 6 East, interrupting internet service for subscribers and hindering power restoration efforts.
The company said the damage directly affected North East Power operations because the utility relies on its fiber network for Smart Grid functions and crew communications. When that infrastructure is damaged, NE SPARC said, it creates delays in restoration and introduces safety risks for crews working in the field.
NE SPARC said repairs to a mainline fiber typically cost $25,000 or more. The statement warned that any individual or company found responsible for cutting the fiber lines will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Smart Grid systems use communications networks to monitor and coordinate electricity delivery; interruptions to those networks can slow outage response and complicate coordination among crews. Officials did not provide an estimated time for full restoration in the Facebook post.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more details become available.
