Telus outage affects northwest B.C. after cable theft attempt

Telus says internet, TV and phone service across northwest British Columbia should be restored by late Monday afternoon after vandals tried to steal copper cables near Sheraton, B.C., about 20 kilometres east of Burns Lake. The company said the attempted theft damaged fibre lines, disrupting cellphone calls and texts, home phone service, internet access and some 911 landlines. The outage affected communities from Burns Lake to Haida Gwaii and also caused problems for businesses that depend on internet service. Telus has activated emergency roaming through another carrier to help keep mobile customers connected. Northern Health said the outage could limit phone and internet access at some local health facilities, although hospitals and health centres remain open.