Telecom Industry Unites to Combat Rising Attacks on Critical Communications Networks, Consumer Impact Grows

Third Stakeholder Summit Highlights Growing Consumer Costs, Calls for Stronger Protections

El Segundo, C.A., October 7, 2025 - Two new reports released at today's third Telecom Industry Summit:Protecting Critical Communications Infrastructure reveal a sharp rise in attacks on domestic communications networks, with 15,540 incidents between June 2024 and June 2025 disrupting service for more than 9.5 million customers nationwide. The latest data shows 9,770 incidents in the first half of 2025 alone, a marked increase from the previous six months and a clear sign that the threat is accelerating.

The updated report, "Protecting the Nation's Critical Communications Infrastructure from Theft & Vandalism," details the scope of these attacks and their daily impact across the country. Complementing these findings, a new economic analysis, "The Real Costs of Communications Outages Due to Infrastructure Theft or Vandalism," by Edward Lopez, Ph.D. estimates that such disruptions imposed societal costs, mostly borne by consumers, ranging from $38 million to $188 million in just the last six months alone.

Together, the reports paint a troubling picture: attacks are surging, costs are climbing, and consumers are paying the price. These disruptions threaten emergency services and national security, interrupt commerce, and cut off millions of Americans from essential services. Providers have reported impacts to federal buildings, military bases, hospitals, schools, 911 dispatch centers, police and fire stations and other critical facilities.

Summit Response

In response, communications leaders convened today for the third Telecom Industry Summit. Backed by CTIA (representing the wireless industry), NCTA - The Internet & Television Association (NCTA), USTelecom, America's Communications Association (ACA Connects) and the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA) as well as their members, including AT&T, Charter Communications, Comcast and Verizon. The Summit unites key stakeholders to strengthen protections, coordinate with law enforcement, and push for stronger policies to safeguard essential networks.

Updated Critical Attacks Report

Key findings from the updated report reveal the scale of the problem:

• 9,770 incidents were reported between January and June 2025, up from slightly more than 5,700 for the same period from July through December 2024.

• For the full year, communications providers participating in the study reported 15,540 incidentsnationwide, affecting over9.5 million customers.

• The top 10 states accounted for nearly 78% of incidents, with California and Texas alone responsible for over half.

• While copper theft remains a major driver, criminals are increasingly targeting fiber optic lines, causing widespread damage despite these lines containing no copper.

The report concludes that protecting critical infrastructure requires a coordinated effort, attention, and action among industry, policymakers, and law enforcement, including stronger state and local laws, increased law enforcement engagement and prosecution, stricter scrap metal regulations and enhanced security measures.

Consumer Cost Impact

Dr. Lopez's analysis provides an economic framework for policymakers to better understand how these attacks impose societal costs, far beyond the value of stolen materials or repairs.

Key findings include:

• Between June and December of 2024, outages imposed $38 million to $188 million in societal costs -many times the replacement cost of stolen copper or damaged equipment.

• In California and Texas alone, the estimated cost is $29.3 million and $18.1 million respectively.

• In smaller states such as Kentucky, the cost of $3.7 million represented an outsized burden on the local economy.

• Outages create ripple effects: consumers place higher value on avoiding lost services (loss aversion), and disruptions impact not only those directly cut off, but also everyone who depends on communicating with them (network effects).

"These incidents don't just cut cables, they cut people off from commerce, education, healthcare and access to public safety." Dr. Lopez said.

Actions Underway

State level: In 2025, 23 states considered legislation, and 13 of those enacted laws strengthening critical infrastructure protections. Notably, Kentucky, Texas, and Minnesota have strengthened critical infrastructure protections and expanded felony classifications for theft and vandalism. Today 28 states make this type of criminal activity a felony.

Local level: Targeted initiatives in municipalities such as Los Angeles and Louisville have led to arrests and recovery of stolen materials.

Federal level: H.R. 2784, the Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act of 2025, has been introduced to criminalize attacks on privately owned communications networks.

Call to Action

With attacks rising and consumer costs mounting, urgent coordination is needed. Industry leaders, policymakers, law enforcement, and communities must work together to secure the nation's networks and protect consumers.