AT&T Broadband Outage Disrupts Charleston: Third-Party Fiber Cut Causes Widespread Internet Downtime
A significant broadband outage has left Charleston residents and businesses disconnected, with AT&T confirming the cause as a third-party fiber cut. The disruption, reported late on September 30, 2025, has impacted thousands across the Lowcountry, affecting everything from remote work to online education and local commerce.
In an official statement, AT&T spokesperson Lisa Harper explained, “A third-party fiber cut has caused a broadband outage for some customers in the Charleston area. Our technicians are working around the clock to restore connectivity as swiftly as possible.” While the exact cause of the fiber damage remains unspecified, such incidents are often linked to construction or utility work inadvertently severing critical lines.
The outage spans multiple zip codes in Charleston County, with reports of disruptions extending to parts of Berkeley and Dorchester Counties, and even areas in Georgia and North Carolina. AT&T’s outage map indicates service interruptions began around 8 p.m. ET on September 30, with initial restoration estimates suggesting a 9- to 12-hour recovery period. However, some customers may face delays into Wednesday afternoon.
Social media platforms, particularly X, have been abuzz with frustration, as users share experiences under hashtags like #ATTOutage and #CharlestonNoInternet. “No Wi-Fi, no Zoom, no Netflix—back to the Stone Age!” posted one Charleston resident. Local businesses, especially in the hospitality sector, are reeling. “Our reservation system crashed mid-service,” said Jamal Carter, manager of a downtown Charleston café. “It’s costing us customers.”
The Charleston County School District issued a notice warning parents of potential disruptions to virtual learning platforms, urging them to monitor updates. Emergency services, however, confirmed that 911 systems remain unaffected, relying on cellular backups.
AT&T advises customers to track outage updates via the myAT&T app or att.com/outages. For temporary solutions, users are turning to mobile hotspots or public Wi-Fi at local libraries and cafes. Industry experts note that fiber cuts, while rare, expose vulnerabilities in shared telecom infrastructure, prompting calls for more resilient networks.
As repair crews work to mend the damaged lines, Charleston’s community spirit shines through, with neighbors offering Wi-Fi passwords and businesses adapting to offline operations. Stay connected for updates as AT&T aims to restore full service soon.