A5 highway works disrupt internet for thousands in madrid

Thousands of Madrid residents are facing a frustrating week without internet as ongoing highway construction disrupts fiber-optic cables. The latest incident occurred on Saturday, when Acciona, the project's main contractor, accidentally cut a crucial fiber trunk line in the Pozuelo de Alarcón neighborhood.

Repair efforts hindered by complex process

The repair process is notoriously laborious, requiring technicians to locate the precise break with an optical time-domain reflectometer (OTDR), realign and fuse the severed fibers at 1,800°C, and then certify the restored connection to ensure signal loss remains minimal.

However, in this case, the repair efforts have been significantly delayed, with over 48 hours passing since the initial outage.

Movistar, the affected telecom provider, has confirmed the issue on social media but has not specified the exact timeline for the repair.

In a statement, a Movistar representative assured customers that technicians are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, with hopes to restore service soon.

This is not the first time A5 highway works have disrupted internet connectivity in the area, sparking frustration among residents and telecom operators alike. The prolonged outages are not only inconvenient but also costly for customers, who may face additional fees for the extended downtime.