UPDATE With attacks on telecommunications infrastructure rising and costs mounting, urgent coordination is needed, say industry experts. They say the industry, along with policymakers, law enforcement, and communities must work together to secure the nation’s networks and protect consumers.
Two new reports released at Tuesday’s Third Telecom Industry Summit: Protecting Critical Communications Infrastructure, reveal a rise in attacks on domestic communications networks. According to industry experts, the data shows 15,540 incidents between June 2024 and June 2025, disrupting service for more than 9.5 million customers nationwide. The latest data show 9,770 incidents in the first half of 2025, a marked increase from the previous six months and a sign 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 the last six months.
The increasing attacks and costs disrupt emergency services and national security, interrupt commerce, and cut off millions of Americans from essential services, according to the reports. Providers have reported impacts to federal buildings, military bases, hospitals, schools, 911 dispatch centers, police and fire stations and other critical facilities.
Communications leaders convened for the summit in El Segundo, CA. It’s backed by CTIA, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, USTelecom, America’s Communications Association and the Wireless Infrastructure Association as well as their members, including AT&T (NYSE: T), Charter Communications (NASDAQ: CHTR), Comcast (NASDAQ: CHTR) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ). The summit unites key stakeholders to strengthen protections, coordinate with law enforcement, and push for stronger policies to safeguard essential networks.
Actions are underway to combat the attacks at the state, local and federal level:
- State level: In 2025, 23 states considered legislation, and 13 of those enacted laws strengthening critical infrastructure protections. 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.
By Leslie Stimson, Inside Towers Washington Bureau Chief
link