Charleston Customers Left in the Dark by AT&T Outage
Charleston, S.C.—A significant AT&T outage has left several customers without internet service and upended their daily lives. Many residents are feeling the pinch of a situation that highlights just how dependent we’ve all become on reliable internet connections. One local customer, Colleen Derbin Caponigro, shared her frustrating experience, which sheds light on how much more than just browsing was at stake.
The Frustration Begins
“So Monday our internet went out, or one of our TVs was out, and it usually just kind of reconnects again,” Caponigro explained. This minor inconvenience quickly escalated when she received an initial message stating the internet would be restored by 9 o’clock Monday night. However, as the hours passed, the situation shifted like sand beneath her feet. The time was changed to 2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon, which itself morphed into another delay until Tuesday at 9 o’clock.
As if that weren’t enough, another message arrived saying it could take up to 24 hours for service to be restored. “When I spoke to somebody, I said, okay, what are we looking at time-wise? And they said they have no idea,” she recalled with a mix of disbelief and frustration.
A Ripple Effect
This outage isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it’s disrupting lives in more ways than one. Caponigro pointed out how the lack of internet access is particularly alarming for her family. “I have a 94-year-old mom that lives with us, she’s my mom, and I depend on Life Alert for her,” she explained. With a vulnerable family member relying on technology for safety, the stakes are high. “If I can’t be here with her, the Life Alert does not work without an internet.”
Such reliance on internet services brings to light a deeper issue about digital access and security. When families rely on services like Life Alert, losing internet service can cause real concern, especially during emergencies.
Taking Action
Facing uncertainty and inadequate customer service, Caponigro decided it was time to make a change. She shared on Saturday that her family officially cancelled their plan with AT&T. “It’s unfortunate that it has to come to this, but I can’t afford to put my mother’s safety at risk,” she said.
Behind the Outage
The frustrations expressed by customers are echoed by the local communications workers. The president of Charleston’s Communications Workers Association, local 3704, revealed a key detail: the employees who could help resolve the outage are currently on strike. This adds another layer of complexity to the situation and emphasizes the importance of having reliable workers to maintain essential services.
The Larger Picture
This incident serves as a reminder of how interconnected our lives have become with technology. When the internet goes out, it feels like more than just a disconnection; it can bring daily life to a halt. From online work and schooling to family safety systems, the ripple effects are far-reaching.
Residents of Charleston and beyond are feeling the impact of this outage, reflecting a collective need for better infrastructure and customer service in the modern world. As the dust settles, many are left wondering about the next steps and hoping for swift resolutions—especially those relying on internet access for their safety and peace of mind.
