French telecom networks disrupted in major sabotage operation

French telecommunications company SFR said it experienced an act of sabotage that disrupted its mobile and fixed line services.

 

In a post on X, SFR, the country’s second-largest telecom operator, said that its “long-distance fiber optic network was the victim of acts of vandalism last night in several departments.” “Disruptions may remain in the most impacted areas,” the telecom said.

 

 

In a statement shared with the AFP News Agency, the French police acknowledged the act of sabotage and confirmed that the fibre optic networks of several telecommunications operators were "sabotaged" in six areas of France. Officials added that Paris, the host city of the Olympics, was not affected by the security incident.

 

 

“The incident occurred three days after coordinated acts of sabotage paralysed high-speed train services hours before the Olympics opening ceremony, disrupting travel for hundreds of thousands of people,” French Police added.

 

French politician and digital minister, Marina Ferrari, also acknowledged the cyber attack on SFR and deeply condemned the “cowardly and irresponsible acts.”

 

“Damages committed in several departments last night affected our telecommunications operators. They have localised consequences on access to fiber, fixed telephony and mobile telephony.

 

“Under my supervision, the Centre for Defense Electronic Communications cooperates with operators until communications and services are fully restored. I condemn in the strongest terms these cowardly and irresponsible acts,” reads her post on X.

 

 

In a statement shared with AFP, SFR added that the fibre optic cables were laid in places “that are little known to the general public and that required precise information.”

 

“Large sections of cables were cut. You would have to use an axe or a grinder," the spokesperson added.

 

SFR’s team is working round the clock to get the affected services back online at the earliest.