U.S. Broadband Infrastructure Under Siege: New Initiative Targets Escalating Network Vandalism
SCTE and NCTA Co-Lead New Executive Forum to Elevate National Response
LOUISVILLE, Colo., Sept. 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- America's broadband infrastructure is under unprecedented criminal attack by increasing levels of vandalism, leaving critical emergency services offline, hospitals struggling to function, law enforcement and government services disrupted and communities vulnerable. In response, the broadband industry has launched STRIKE (Strategic Threat Response & Infrastructure Knowledge Exchange), an urgent initiative aimed at confronting what is increasingly recognized as a serious national security crisis. For example, 5,770 criminal acts of theft and vandalism were reported from June to December 2024--approximately 824 per month affecting over 1.5 million customers.
Co-led by industry leaders SCTE®, a subsidiary of CableLabs®, and NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, STRIKE represents a first-of-its-kind executive-level coalition addressing the alarming spike in criminal attacks on essential broadband infrastructure. Many of these incidents go beyond mere acts of vandalism, as they're deliberate assaults that disrupt key facilities including U.S. military bases, 911 services, fire and police departments, healthcare facilities, law enforcement, government services and agencies, and educational and financial institutions endangering public safety and interrupting economic activity.
"A threat to broadband infrastructure is a threat to our national security," emphasized Maria Popo, president and CEO of SCTE. "STRIKE ensures that executive-level visibility is directly connected to frontline realities. This coordinated approach is precisely what's needed to tackle this emerging threat decisively."
Rikin Thakker, Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, underscored the urgency: "This isn’t simply an industry issue; it’s a nationwide emergency. STRIKE will mobilize our collective strength, aligning policy advocacy with strategic operations to strengthen our efforts to protect America’s critical communications infrastructure."
Building on Existing Industry Advocacy
NCTA is leading important efforts in addressing these criminal threats to broadband infrastructure through its expertise in public policy and advocating for federal legislation such as H.R. 2784-- Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act of 2025-- that would amend Title 18 of the U.S. Code to ensure that attacks on public and private networks are treated equally and carry appropriate penalties. NCTA has also taken the lead in encouraging agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to increase intelligence sharing, treat these infrastructure attacks as domestic terrorism when the facts warrant and allocate more resources to high incident regions.
Initiatives such as the Telecom Industry Summit on Protecting Critical Communications Infrastructure and various technical working groups continue to highlight broadband infrastructure damage and destruction as a national security issue and position the industry to respond effectively and collectively, bringing together various industry groups, legislators and federal and local law enforcement agencies. The newly launched STRIKE initiative complements NCTA’s ongoing work, building upon its foundation to provide a unified voice to government stakeholders.
Industry Leaders Take Charge
The STRIKE Executive Forum draws senior executives from leading broadband operators including, but not limited to, Comcast, Charter, Altice USA, CableOne, Cox, GCI, Mediacom and Rogers. Comcast’s Elad Nafshi, serving as chair, and Charter Communications’ Tom Monaghan, as vice chair, highlight the industry's unified commitment to strategic coordination and rapid response.
High-Stakes Objectives
STRIKE’s core mission is ambitious and urgent:
- Spotlight broadband damage and destruction as a top-tier national security threat.
- Facilitate intelligence sharing to quickly identify and mitigate emerging threats.
- Integrate policy advocacy, technical standards and operational protocols into a cohesive national defense strategy.
- Establish clear, unified communication with government stakeholders.
STRIKE will leverage SCTE’s operational expertise to surface cross-operator insights that strengthen broadband resilience. For decades, SCTE has set essential industry standards that help providers assess business impacts, gain secure access to incident areas, coordinate effectively with federal agencies, evaluate location-specific risks and maintain continuity and rapid recovery during crises. Public awareness efforts, such as the Don’t Cut Cable campaign, further protect vital infrastructure by enlisting communities in safeguarding broadband networks. STRIKE builds on this foundation, uniting executive leadership to accelerate best-practice adoption and deliver a coordinated, national security–driven strategy.
Inaugural Strategy Session at TechExpo25
STRIKE will hold its first strategic meeting at TechExpo25, SCTE's premier industry event, providing a critical platform for participants to set the strategic vision and drive immediate impact.
Senior broadband executives are urged to join this pivotal effort. For more details or to participate, contact strike@scte.org.
About SCTE
SCTE is the leading organization for broadband telecommunications and technology, serving members worldwide. As the industry’s trusted source for technical standards, workforce training, and community engagement, SCTE helps professionals and organizations prepare for the future of connectivity. Through certifications, hands-on learning, and global collaboration, SCTE powers the growth and innovation of the broadband industry.
About NCTA – The Internet & Television Association
NCTA – The Internet & Television Association is the driving force supporting the future of entertainment and technology. As innovators and creators, we build the nation’s largest broadband platform, delivering fast, reliable connectivity to 85% of U.S. homes. We also shape the TV landscape, offering award-winning programming that entertains, informs, and inspires. Our vision is to advance innovation, unleash creativity, and exceed consumer expectations with a diverse range of high-quality services that connect people, communities, and the world.
Media Contacts:
Ann Finnie, Director of Communications, CableLabs and SCTE
a.finnie@cablelabs.com
Brian Dietz, Senior Vice President Strategic Communications, NCTA
bdietz@www.ncta.com
Robert Brownlie, Bob Gold & Associates
scte@bobgoldpr.com
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SCTE and NCTA Logos
The new STRIKE initiative is co-led by industry leaders SCTE®, a subsidiary of CableLabs®, and NCTA – The Internet & Television Association.
Maria Popo - President and CEO, SCTE®
Maria Popo is the President and CEO of SCTE®.
Rikin Thakker - Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, NCTA
Rikin Thakker, Ph.D., is Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President, Technology, at NCTA.
Broadband Under Attack: The Urgent Need for STRIKE
A severed fiber optic cable shows the real-world impact of rising attacks on broadband infrastructure. Co-led by SCTE and NCTA, the new STRIKE initiative aims to combat these dangerous disruptions and protect the critical networks that keep America connected.
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