Thousands of residents in Albuquerque are currently experiencing a disruption in their internet service due to a severed Comcast fiber optic line, with crews working tirelessly for nearly 24 hours to restore connectivity.
As of Tuesday night, over 6,000 people remained offline, significantly affecting both residential users and local businesses. Affected individuals have expressed frustration over the extended downtime. “I haven’t seen it gone out this long since I’ve lived here. It’s been over 24 hours,” said Chas Alonen, who works from home and relies heavily on a stable internet connection for his professional obligations. “I’m having to do it through the hot spot, which doesn’t really work out because the signal is not good.”
Dr. Sharmin Dharas, Chief Experience Officer of Hotel Zazz, echoed these concerns, pointing out that the hotel’s reliance on high-speed internet is vital for operations, especially during peak weeks filled with conferences and events like Summerfest and the Route 66 Centennial kick-off. “This week is supposed to be the highest occupancy for Albuquerque,” she stated, highlighting the urgency of restoring service.
The outage was triggered by New Mexico Gas Company workers who accidentally severed the fiber optic line while responding to a gas leak caused by another company’s drilling activity. The New Mexico Gas Company has acknowledged their mistake and completed repairs on the gas line, subsequently handing over the site to Comcast technicians for the necessary internet repairs.
Residents are hopeful for a swift resolution to restore their internet service, allowing them to return to regular routines as well as supporting local businesses during a busy week. Both companies have stated that they are dedicated to rectifying the situation as quickly as possible.