Internet Outage Hits Beaufort County Residents and Businesses

Internet Outage Hits Beaufort County Residents and Businesses

Beaufort, SC – It was a challenging Monday morning for residents and businesses across Beaufort County as widespread internet outages disrupted both work and personal life. Customers started noticing issues in the early hours, and by 5 p.m., many were still left grappling with the loss of connectivity. Sgt. Danny Allen from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that internet service was down throughout the entire region, leaving many asking what was going on.

Communication Still Operating

In a silver lining, non-emergency dispatching along with 9-1-1 services remained operational, providing reassurance to locals that emergency services could still be reached. However, for the majority, the biggest issue was without a doubt the interruptions to internet access.

Fiber Damage Blamed for Outage

At around 12:45 p.m., things began to clarify as Sparklight—previously known as Hargray—reported that a segment of their customers was experiencing slow internet or complete outages due to fiber damage caused by a third-party. A representative from the company used their Facebook account to apologize for the situation, stating, “Technicians are working diligently to get services restored as quickly and safely as possible. We appreciate your patience and will provide updates as information becomes available.”

Impact on Public Schools

The internet outage also had repercussions for local schools. Teachers in the Beaufort County public school system reported that connectivity problems interrupted lessons and disrupted classroom activities, highlighting just how interconnected our day-to-day operations have become thanks to technology.

City Facilities Affected

By 11:15 a.m., the city of Beaufort announced that all its facilities were also without internet service, further compounding the issue. The outage didn’t just stay confined to local schools or government buildings; websites like Downdetector.com revealed outages widespread across not only South Carolina but also into parts of North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama.

Business Struggles

Businesses were hit particularly hard by the outage. Many local shops that depend on internet access for credit card transactions or phone communications took to social media platforms to inform customers of their struggles. Some suggested that customers reach out via cell phone, adding a layer of inconvenience to the mix. “Please call us if you need anything,” was a common phrase echoed among local businesses, as they worked tirelessly to navigate this challenging situation.

Education Networks Still Operational

Despite the challenges faced by the community, not every internet lifeline was cut. Public Wi-Fi networks at the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) and the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) remained operational. Carol Weir, a representative from USCB, confirmed, “Our public Wi-Fi network is still working. People who had access to that are still able to connect to their Blackboard.” Similarly, TCL also reported connectivity, with students encouraged to come onto campus to utilize their internet services. “Students are welcome to come on campus and use our internet,” stated Leigh Copeland, TCL’s assistant vice president for marketing and public relations.

Looking Ahead

As Beaufort County residents and businesses await news of restoration efforts, it’s a reminder of just how essential internet access has become in our daily lives. Here’s to hoping for quick repairs so everyone can get back to enjoying their online experiences without hassle!