Metro Cable Network Sabotaged: Vandalism Suspected in Freetown Outage
Metro Cable SL Ltd, Sierra Leone’s premier open-access Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) infrastructure provider, has announced a major service disruption following severe damage to its fiber optic network near the United States Embassy in Freetown.
In an official statement issued on Monday, the company revealed that unauthorized third-party activities involving mechanical tools caused significant damage to its critical fibre optic cable infrastructure. The incident, which is being treated as suspected vandalism, has triggered widespread service outages across multiple sites in the capital.
“This unfortunate disruption has impacted the quality of service for thousands of customers who rely on our network for high-speed internet connectivity,” Metro Cable stated. “We deeply regret the inconvenience caused and are moving swiftly to resolve the issue.”
Rapid Response and Investigation Underway
Metro Cable has mobilized its technical teams to undertake urgent repairs, with the goal of restoring full connectivity within the shortest possible timeframe. In addition, the matter has been escalated to the National Communications Authority (NATCA) and law enforcement authorities for a full investigation.
“We are committed to holding accountable those responsible for this damage to national infrastructure,” the statement continued, stressing the importance of protecting vital digital assets that underpin the country’s growing tech ecosystem.
Bolstering Security and Infrastructure Resilience
As part of its response, Metro Cable is introducing enhanced infrastructure protection measures, including advanced monitoring systems and increased surveillance along key network corridors. The company has also reassured its customers of continued 24/7 support to address any concerns during the recovery process.
A Digital Lifeline for Sierra Leone
Metro Cable plays a pivotal role in Sierra Leone’s digital transformation. With over 1,400km of fibre broadband infrastructure deployed across more than 90% of Freetown’s urban and rural areas, the company operates the nation’s first and largest open-access fiber network. Its platform currently supports over 8,000 homes and more than 16 internet service providers (ISPs).
“This incident reinforces the need for a national conversation about safeguarding critical telecom infrastructure,” Metro Cable added. “We remain steadfast in our mission to bridge the digital divide and provide reliable, world-class connectivity that fuels economic opportunity and social development.”
For further updates or customer support, visit www.metrocable.io.
Media Contact:
Metro Cable Communications
Email: support@metrocable.io
Phone: +232 (xx) xxx-xxxx
ENDS