PARIS — The French government says multiple telecommunications lines have been hit by acts of vandalism, affecting fiber lines and fixed and mobile phone lines as cities around France are hosting events for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Organizers for the Paris Games say their operations were not affected. France’s second largest telecommunications company said it had made repairs in several areas already or workarounds kept the scale of the impact low. Other companies were working on fixes.
The vandalism came after arson attacks hit train networks around France on Friday, hours before the Olympics opening ceremony.
Marina Ferrari, secretary of state in charge of digital affairs, posted on X that damage in several regions overnight Sunday to Monday affected telecommunications operators. She said that led to local impact on access to fiber lines and fixed and mobile telephone lines.
A French police official said there were issues in at least six of the country’s administrative departments, which include the region around the Mediterranean city of Marseille, hosting Olympic soccer and sailing competitions.
Paris 2024 organizers said they have been informed of acts of sabotage on fiber optic networks across several French departments but “we can only confirm that there is no impact on our operations.”
SFR, France’s second-largest telecommunications company, said its long-distance network “was the target of acts of vandalism at five points in five departments between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.”
“Maintenance teams are on site to carry out repair work,” SFR said in a statement. It added that the impact of the vandalism acts on its customers was “very low because there are sufficient backups and workarounds.”
Up to eight French and international operators, who use SFR’s infrastructure, have been affected, the company also said, adding that full service has already been restored by Monday afternoon in several areas.
Telecom operators Bouygues and Free confirmed they were affected. The parent company of Free said its teams are mobilized to restore services.
Free said in a statement that an “incident effecting multiple networks is in progress in 11 departments,” including in Marseille. “All our teams have been mobilized to resolve the situation.”
A national investigation is underway into last week’s train sabotage, which disrupted travel for nearly a million passengers in France as well as people in London and in other neighboring countries. Train traffic had largely resumed by Monday.
French media reported that an extreme-left activist was arrested at a rail facility on Sunday in the Seine-Maritime region of western France. But the Paris prosecutor’s office said it was unconnected to what happened Friday and that no one has been arrested so far in the national investigation into the arson attacks.
The upcoming Paris Olympics are set to be a major event, drawing athletes and spectators from around the world to the iconic city. However, recent reports have raised concerns about the state of communication lines in France, with many being affected by vandalism.
Communication lines are crucial for the smooth operation of any major event, especially one as large as the Olympics. They are used to transmit important information, coordinate logistics, and ensure the safety and security of participants and attendees. Without functioning communication lines, the entire event could be thrown into chaos.
The vandalism of communication lines in France is a serious issue that has the potential to disrupt the Paris Olympics. Reports have indicated that several key communication lines have been damaged or tampered with, causing disruptions in service and hindering the ability of organizers to effectively coordinate the event.
The reasons behind this vandalism are unclear, but it is likely that it is being done intentionally to disrupt the Olympics. This is a concerning development that could have far-reaching consequences for the event and the safety of those involved.
Efforts are being made to repair the damaged communication lines and ensure that they are functioning properly before the start of the Olympics. However, the extent of the damage and the time needed for repairs are still unknown, leaving organizers scrambling to find alternative solutions.
In light of this situation, it is crucial that authorities take swift action to address the vandalism of communication lines in France. Security measures should be increased to prevent further damage, and those responsible for the vandalism should be held accountable for their actions.
The Paris Olympics are a highly anticipated event that has the potential to showcase the city on a global stage. It would be a shame if this opportunity was marred by disruptions caused by vandalism. It is imperative that all necessary measures are taken to ensure that communication lines are secure and functioning properly during the event.
In conclusion, the vandalism of communication lines in France is a serious issue that could have significant implications for the Paris Olympics. It is essential that authorities take immediate action to address this problem and prevent any further disruptions. The success of the Olympics depends on effective communication, and it is crucial that this vital infrastructure is protected.
