AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon join STRIKE force as network vandalism surges

Network fragility is becoming a Tier-1 operational risk for streaming providers. As telcos and cable operators unite, the shift reflects a move from reactive local repairs to a centralized, high-stakes defense posture involving federal legislation and advanced surveillance. For the streaming ecosystem, this cooperation aims to mitigate the 'societal costs' of outages that can reach $1.47 billion annually. If successful, the initiative could accelerate the retirement of copper in favor of fiber, which offers lower scrap value and superior remote monitoring. Watch for the progress of H.R. 2784, the ‘Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act,’ as a signal of federal appetite for this reclassification.

The formation of this unified front follows an escalation in both the frequency and sophistication of network attacks. Per NCTA and Wireless Estimator reports from June 2026, over 18,300 incidents struck U.S. communications networks in 2025 alone, disrupting service for nearly 12 million customers. FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty recently warned that these acts have evolved from opportunistic theft to coordinated operations by criminal enterprises. Notably, Trusty highlighted at a 2026 summit that fiber routes, cell towers, and backup power systems are being targeted with precision, sometimes using AI tools to mine public filings to identify critical infrastructure points.

Legislative momentum is already building at the state level to address these disruptions. As of June 2026, 28 states have classified network vandalism as a felony, with Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon, and Virginia adopting these protections within the first half of the year. Parallel to these legal efforts, carriers are deploying aggressive on-the-ground countermeasures. Per Light Reading, AT&T has begun hiring off-duty police officers for 24/7 surveillance in theft hotspots like Los Angeles, while Verizon is installing GPS tracking chips in high-value assets to aid recovery efforts.

This shift toward security-centric operations also reinforces long-term infrastructure transitions. AT&T executives noted in June 2026 that surging copper theft provides further justification for accelerating the shutdown of legacy copper networks. By moving to fiber-only deployments, providers hope to eliminate the primary economic incentive for vandals—scrap metal value—while simultaneously clearing regulatory friction that has historically slowed the copper-to-fiber migration.