WHITWELL, Tenn. — Authorities and utility officials are investigating what SVEConnect describes as intentional and criminal damage to fiber-optic infrastructure on Whitwell Mountain that disrupted internet service for customers in the Mt. Olive community.
According to SVEConnect, fiber lines were deliberately cut on two consecutive days along the 2500 block of Mt. Olive Road last week, causing outages for customers in the area. Mt. Olive Road is located atop Whitwell Mountain in Marion County.
The broadband provider said crews responded to both incidents and worked to restore connectivity as quickly as possible. Photos released by the company show severed fiber lines attached to utility poles and technicians repairing the damaged infrastructure.
SVEConnect officials said the incidents are being investigated in coordination with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and federal authorities. The company is asking anyone with information that could help identify those responsible to come forward…