Edison Tree-Trimmers Cut Fiber-Optic Lines Leased to Charter Cable on Monday

• Accident Leads to 10-Hour Shutdown

BY ANNE SOBLE

Subcontractors for Southern California Edison working in Santa Monica cut a fiber-optic line leased to Charter Communications for high-speed Internet service to Malibu that shut down 7600 customers for over 10 hours on Monday.

Craig Watkins, Charter vice president for communications, said that at about 10:30 a.m., tree trimmers working for Edison cut an OC 48 fiber-optic line that Charter leases from the company.

Watkins said Charter was “held hostage until [Edison] could get the line repaired” and described the incident as “hugely disappointing” for the firm and its customers. Service did not resume until 7:30 to 8 p.m. in most parts of Malibu.

The Charter spokesperson noted that even though work crews were on the site within a few hours, the glass fibers have to be individually spliced, and this type of repair work is time consuming.

Mark Olson, a rep for SCE, said the company leases out its unused fiber-optic line, but he said there is “no guarantee of continuity of service on leased lines,” and added that it is the lessee’s responsibility to make alternate arrangements when problems occur.

Olson said the trade-off is leasing “means lower costs and less construction overhead and is usually to everyone’s advantage.”

But Watkins said there are guarantees, and added that “Malibu’s unique geography” was a factor in deciding to lease lines from Edison. He said that Charter is planning to implement a backup line within 60 days to provide alternate access for Malibu.

In addition, local environmentalists raised the issue of why trees are being trimmed this time of year because it is peak nesting season for many bird species.