June 10, 2004 -- (WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) -- According to reports, Canadian telecommunications company Aliant (aliant.com) suffered an attack of vandalism on its network Tuesday night. The vandals reportedly cut fiber optic cables, leaving thousands of users in Nova Scotia and Newfoundland without phone and Internet service. Approximately 125,000 people in Newfoundland (half its population) and 5,000 in Nova Scotia were affected. Services were taken down at about 10:30 p.m. Service was not restored until 7:00 a.m.
Cables were cut in two separate locations. In Newfoundland, a connection to the main network and the backup was targeted. In Nova Scotia, one piece of fiber optic cable was cut. According to Aliant, the individual or individuals responsible had extensive knowledge of telecommunications networks.
Aliant is currently embroiled in a major labor dispute with its 4,200 employees. Several reports have already noted the possible link between the dispute and the attack.
The Royal Canadian Mountain Police are investigating. As of Thursday, Aliant said service had been almost completely restored.
