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    • For some, Spectrum internet is down in the Upstate; When will it be restored?
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    For some, Spectrum internet is down in the Upstate; When will it be restored?

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

    While power has been restored to many Upstate residents and business owners since Helene’s influence, the focus now is on Spectrum internet service. An outage in the region has caused problems for those who want to work from home or search for leisure options online.

    Shortly after the tropical storm, a large number of Spectrum internet outages occurred as Helene hit the area. As of October 7, istheserverdown.com – a third-party data tracking site – lists at least seven major cities in the Upstate, including Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Simpsonville, Easley, Greer and Duncan, as the cities hardest hit by the Spectrum Internet outages normal.

    On October 4, Spectrum issued a statement via social media regarding outages on its Southeast network:

    According to Charter Communications, Spectrum’s network suffered significant physical damage following the tropical storm. Once power is restored to specific homes, streets and neighborhoods, their teams will be ready to begin work in those areas as soon as they are deemed open and safe.

    “There are currently over 3,000 field managers, technicians and engineers actively working around the clock to access and repair damage to our network caused by Helene,” said Scott Pryzwansky, senior director of the Mid-South Region at Charter Communications. “Once power is restored to homes, streets and neighborhoods, Spectrum customers’ services will come back online.”

    Although an exact number of affected users or a recovery timeline was not announced, Pryzwansky confirmed that Spectrum’s technical teams are on site in inaccessible areas and are working to restore services as quickly as possible.

    Here’s everything you need to know about Spectrum Internet and the remaining power outages in the Upstate:

    More: Helene caused multi-day power outages in Powdersville, Belton; “Looks like a war zone”

    Why are Spectrum internet outages occurring in the Upstate even though power has mostly been restored?

    According to Spectrum communications executives, most areas experiencing service outages are due to a power outage. If both power and cable lines fail, Spectrum works closely with the utility, following them into the neighborhood and restoring service shortly after power is restored.

    However, if there is still a power outage on the street or in the neighborhood, it may also impact usage of Spectrum service just because an internet customer is getting power back to their home. Your network nodes that connect areas require electricity to power the streets and homes in the community.

    Disaster recovery procedures dictate that cable service can be repaired once utilities have restored power and ensured the safety of the area.

    Downed power lines can lead to dangerous conditions. Therefore, utility personnel must investigate and clear an area before an all-clear is given and communications can begin to be restored. During this recovery phase, Internet technicians’ safety is the top priority.

    In September 2024, Spectrum announced automatic refunds for customers who experience an outage of more than two hours, as the refund would cover one day’s worth of service. In addition, the company agreed to dispatch service technicians the same day a customer complains, provided the complaint is received by 5:00 p.m

    More: Greenville County Schools return Wednesday; Do students have to make up missed days?

    When will Spectrum Internet be restored in the Upstate and what alternatives are there?

    Pryzwansky confirmed that internet restoration times may vary, in large part because the restoration occurs so quickly and is beyond Spectrum’s control as power returns. There are many variables, such as customers having power but no service, and vice versa when power goes out on the network but not in the home.

    He confirmed that numerous utilities are working on recovery efforts in affected areas. In some cases, a third party could damage Spectrum’s fiber, meaning the lines may need to be repaired or even re-repaired.

    To help those suffering from Spectrum internet outages, the solution was to open more than 100 indoor Wi-Fi access points in the Greenville area.

    More: Recovery from Hurricane Helene: Questions about insurance claims? List of places with donations

    Where are the remaining power outages in the Upstate that could impact Spectrum’s internet service?

    Duke Energy

    On October 5, Duke Energy announced that power had been restored to 90 percent of its customers in South Carolina following the impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. As of October 7, around 6 p.m., Duke Energy’s outage reports show the following total outages per area:

    • Greenville – 5,335
    • Spartanburg – 4,093
    • Pickens – 1,803
    • Anderson-239
    • Oconee-41

    Lauren’s Electric Cooperative

    As of 6 p.m. on Monday, October 7, Laurens Electric has restored service to 93 percent of its customer base. Here are the total outages reported from areas in the Upstate:

    • Spartanburg – 1,050
    • Greenville-638
    • Anderson – 13

    Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative

    As of the evening of Sunday, October 6, Blue Ridge Electric confirmed that 98 percent of its service area had power:

    Of the remaining areas without power near the Upstate, areas north of Traveler’s Rest and Pickens are largely still affected.

    — AJ Jackson covers the food and dining scene, as well as arts, entertainment and downtown culture, for The Greenville News. Contact him by email at [email protected] and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @ajhappened. This reporting is only possible with the support of our readers. Sign up for a digital subscription today.

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