Beaufort County, August 29, 2025
News Summary
Residents in Beaufort County faced significant internet service interruptions affecting phone and video services due to a possible fiber cut caused by a lightning strike. The outage began around 1 p.m. and impacted many users throughout the region, including local offices and libraries. Sparklight, the primary service provider, reported that services were restored by 3:45 p.m. while emergency services remained operational during the disruption. Local technicians worked diligently to repair the affected connections.
Beaufort County Residents Experience Internet Service Interruptions
As of 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, Sparklight announced that it had resolved a significant service interruption affecting hundreds of residents in Beaufort County. The outage impacted internet, phone, and video services across South Carolina and Georgia, causing frustrations among local users.
Sparklight confirmed the issue around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday via social media, detailing that the interruption was caused by a possible fiber cut. Reports of connectivity issues began coming in around 1 p.m., primarily from customers in the Beaufort, Bluffton, and Hilton Head Island areas. User-generated reports on Downdetector showed a spike in outage complaints throughout the afternoon.
The service interruption not only affected residents but also impacted local county offices and libraries. Fortunately, local dispatch and 911 services remained operational during this time, as confirmed by a spokesperson from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
Repair and Restoration Efforts
s of 11:36 a.m. on Wednesday, Sparklight reported that repairs were completed and services should resume shortly. Local technicians worked on-site to stabilize connections, including actively replacing damaged equipment and performing hardware swaps following the initial damage. The outage was initially attributed to a lightning strike that occurred on Tuesday, resulting in a commercial outage in the area.
Reports regarding connectivity issues were also received from multiple cellular networks, including Verizon, T-Mobile, Cricket, and Boost, which experienced increased service complaints. Brightspeed also reported similar problems during this time.
Background Context
Sparklight, which serves over 1 million customers across 24 states, is the primary internet and phone provider for Beaufort County residents. Previous fiber cuts have disrupted service in the Hilton Head area twice this year, with the most significant outage occurring in June when a lightning strike damaged Sparklight’s equipment at a local site. The last marked service interruption prior to this recent event occurred in early April.
Throughout the outage, public Wi-Fi networks at the University of South Carolina Beaufort (USCB) and the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL) remained operational, offering residents and students alternative internet access during the disruption.
Summary of Incident
- Event: Internet service interruption
- Location: Beaufort County, South Carolina
- Start Time: Initial reports began at 1 p.m. Wednesday
- Resolution Time: By 3:45 p.m. Wednesday
- Cause: Possible fiber cut due to a lightning strike
- Affected Services: Internet, phone, video, local offices & libraries
- Service Provider: Sparklight, serving over 1 million customers in 24 states
FAQ
What services were affected by the Sparklight outage?
The outage affected internet, phone, and video services for residents in Beaufort County.
When did the outage occur?
Reports of the outage began around 1 p.m. on Wednesday, and services were announced as restored by 3:45 p.m. the same day.
What caused the service interruption?
Sparklight identified the cause as a possible fiber cut resulting from a lightning strike that occurred the previous day.
Did emergency services remain operational during the outage?
Yes, local dispatch and 911 services were confirmed to remain operational throughout the interruption.
What is Sparklight’s status in the area?
Sparklight is the primary internet and phone provider in Beaufort County, serving over 1 million customers across 24 states.
Have there been other outages recently?
Yes, there have been prior fiber cuts affecting the area, with significant interruptions occurring earlier this year as well.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Beaufort County Battles Fires Sparked by Lightning Strikes
Beaufort County Faces Increased Flooding Risks Amid Funding Cuts
Beaufort County Schools Face Air Conditioning Challenges
Flash Flood Warning Issued for Beaufort County
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Charleston Area
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Charleston Area
Severe Thunderstorm Alert Issued for Hilton Head Island
Beaufort County Man Caught After High-Speed Police Chase
Flood Advisory Lifted in Beaufort County Post-Tropical Storm Debby
Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Service Interruption Update
- Wikipedia: Internet Outage
- Island Packet: Internet Outages in Beaufort Area
- Google Search: Beaufort County Internet Services
- Your Island News: Beaufort Outage News
- Google Scholar: Beaufort County Internet Outages
- AOL: Internet Outages Reported
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sparklight Internet
- Your Island News: Cellular Outages Overview
- Google News: Internet Outages in South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
