Malicious persons cut fiber optic cables in France in various places

The disruption in internet services in France on Wednesday was believed to be due to an attack on fiber optic cables in the country. The cable was broken in various places, the country’s minister for digital affairs said.

The minister speaks about ‘cable breaks’ that have led to disruptions in the fixed and mobile network. Provider Free talks about ‘multiple acts with malicious intent‘ that are at the root of the internet disruptions. It is unknown who caused the cable breaks and why. The cable breaks took place around Paris and Lyon.

Repairing the cables is said to require re-splicing tens of thousands of fiber optic cables, as the cable has been severed on both sides. That points to intent. This is the first known major, coordinated attack on fiber optic cables in a European country. The disruption resulted in slower internet in many French cities. A number of customers were not able to go online at all, but it is unknown how many people are involved.