Updated
Updated · WBRZ · Jul 13
AT&T Restores Kentwood Internet After 2-Day Copper Theft Outage
Updated
Updated · WBRZ · Jul 13

AT&T Restores Kentwood Internet After 2-Day Copper Theft Outage

3 articles · Updated · WBRZ · Jul 13

Summary

  • Most of Kentwood had internet service back by Monday after copper thieves knocked out AT&T lines early Saturday, though a small number of properties were still offline.
  • The outage began near the old skating rink on Highway 51, where copper wire was stolen from AT&T infrastructure and left the town without service over the weekend.
  • AT&T crews started repair work Saturday evening, but the company did not say exactly when service was restored.
  • Kentwood police said Monday they had no leads on who stole the copper, underscoring how cable theft can disrupt communications across small communities.

Insights

With satellite internet now available, is upgrading America's vulnerable copper infrastructure even worth the investment?
As green energy booms, is the escalating crime wave against old copper wires leaving rural America permanently disconnected?
Who truly bears the billion-dollar cost when criminals steal a few hundred dollars' worth of copper wire?