Verizon Uses AI to Prevent Accidental Internet Outages from Cable Cuts

Verizon is taking proactive measures to prevent accidental internet outages caused by third-party cable cuts, thanks to a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology. The telecommunications giant announced that it is integrating AI with the existing "Call Before You Dig" system to identify and mitigate potential threats to its fiber internet lines before they happen.

The Challenge of Accidental Cable Cuts

Accidental cuts to Verizon’s fiber internet lines are a significant issue, often resulting from construction work by third-party companies or homeowners. These incidents can lead to internet outages that range from a few hours to several days, causing frustration for customers and potential income loss for businesses and individuals working from home.

Verizon reports that thousands of its fiber lines are damaged each year due to these accidental cuts. While some issues can be resolved relatively quickly, others can result in prolonged disruptions, impacting both residential and business customers.

AI-Powered Prevention

To combat this problem, Verizon is turning to artificial intelligence. Rather than responding to cable cuts after they occur, Verizon's new approach is designed to prevent these incidents from happening in the first place. The company’s AI technology will work in conjunction with the 811 "Call Before You Dig" system, a national program that helps individuals and companies locate underground lines before digging.

When a person or company plans to dig, they are required to call 811 and provide the location of the intended work. Within three to 12 working days, workers arrive on-site to mark the locations of important underground lines. However, with more than 10 million dig requests received by the 811 system each year, it can be challenging to manually monitor and manage all these requests.

Verizon’s AI technology steps in by analyzing both historical and current activity, as well as the specific behaviors of excavators on-site. The system is designed to flag potentially problematic requests, particularly in areas where lines have been cut before or where companies have a history of causing damage. This allows Verizon to take preemptive action by communicating directly with the excavating parties to ensure that fiber lines remain intact.

Advice for Homeowners and Businesses

For those planning to dig, Julie Slattery, Senior Vice President of Core Engineering and Operations at Verizon, emphasized the importance of contacting 811 before beginning any work. "It's the easiest step toward reducing the chance of damaging underground fiber and helping to keep our customers and first responders connected," Slattery noted in the announcement.

By leveraging AI technology, Verizon aims to significantly reduce the number of accidental cable cuts each year, ensuring more reliable internet service for its customers.