On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, a fiber optic cable serving Hatteras Island and owned by Brightspeed was damaged, temporarily disrupting internet service and rendering many communication systems—including 911 call capability—inoperable for several hours. The incident, which also impacted other areas of Dare County, has reignited community concern over the vulnerability of Hatteras Island’s communications infrastructure.

Dare County is aware of the seriousness of this recurring issue, which officials have been working to address for several years through the implementation of short-term and long-term solutions to prevent future service disruptions.

“We understand the frustration and concern these outages are causing for our residents and visitors, particularly those on Hatteras Island,” said Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard. “The loss of 911 call capabilities is unacceptable, and we want the public to know that we are actively pushing those that own the communications infrastructure to fix the problem.”

What Causes the Outages to Occur?

At the core of the issue is a lack of redundancy in the commercial communications infrastructure serving Hatteras Island. Historically, communications services on Hatteras were delivered using copper lines and microwave towers configured in a manner that allowed traffic to be rerouted during outages. As the demand for communication services grew, providers moved to fiber optic cable. For Hatteras Island, a single fiber optic cable was installed.  

As this transition occurred on Hatteras Island, redundancy was lost. The loss became evident in 2020 as outages increased. The reason most likely stems from damage to the commercial microwave infrastructure during Hurricane Dorian in 2019. When this infrastructure was damaged, the owners made a decision to not make repairs since service was already being delivered over fiber optic cable. We believe this led to the loss of all redundancy since the single fiber optic line wasn’t installed as a loop. 

Today, every internet service provider and wireless carrier serving Hatteras Island depends on that single underground fiber line that is owned and maintained by Brightspeed. If service on the line is lost by damage or equipment failure—whether by accident, storm or other disruption—Hatteras Island can be cut off from essential communications, including internet service and access to emergency 911 calls.

What is Dare County Doing to Address the Issue?

Although Dare County does not own the fiber line—and has no regulatory authority to compel private companies to build or upgrade their networks—county officials have been actively and persistently working behind the scenes to seek solutions that would prevent future outages and restore vital redundancy.

For several years, Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson has been engaged in ongoing efforts with Brightspeed and national wireless providers to press for viable backup solutions—particularly those that would protect 911 call functionality during service interruptions.

Brightspeed—which owns the fiber optic line—has stated that constructing a redundant fiber loop beneath the Pamlico Sound would cost approximately $13 million. The company is seeking grant funding for the project but has not committed its own resources to completing the work. Additionally, even if the project is funded, the installation of a secondary fiber is a significant infrastructural undertaking that will take years to plan and complete. 

Brightspeed also previously committed—during a public Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting held on June 5, 2023—to reactivating a portion of the former microwave system to ensure the delivery of 911 calls during outages; however, that reactivation of the system has yet to be achieved. Additionally, Pearson has pursued satellite-based backup alternatives with wireless providers as another possible safeguard, but those discussions have not resulted in any commitments from private wireless providers to move forward.

Despite the lack of cooperation from private providers, Dare County has continued its efforts to address the recurring issue and to determine effective solutions. In 2023, Pearson secured a $422,728 state grant to acquire and deploy six mobile cell towers. When fiber outages occur, these units are quickly activated at key volunteer fire and rescue departments on Hatteras Island, enabling temporary, localized 911 call access for most of the island’s populated areas. 

Though not a complete solution—and sometimes requiring individuals to travel a short distance to a coverage area to place a 911 call—these devices provide emergency access for most inhabited areas of Hatteras Island during service disruptions, such as those caused by damage to Brightspeed’s fiber optic line.

What Are the Next Steps for Finding a Solution?

Dare County officials continue to explore what more can be done locally, including assessing the cost and feasibility of building a new microwave loop system or satellite-based backup system independently, using county funds. 

Dare County has also asked Brightspeed officials to return to a future Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting to provide a public update to the board and the community—and to provide answers to any questions they may have. 

“Ultimately, this is not a problem Dare County can solve alone,” said Dare County Emergency Management Director Drew Pearson. “We cannot force private companies to install backup systems, but we are doing everything within our power to keep pushing for them. Now, we need the public’s help.”

Dare County encourages the public to contact the communications providers they pay for service—such as wireless and internet companies—as well as the state agencies that regulate them, to demand reliable, redundant infrastructure and ensure that critical services like 911 remain accessible during outages.

“If you live on Hatteras Island, own a business here or visit the Outer Banks, we urge you to contact your internet and wireless providers—especially Brightspeed—and demand better service, redundancy and emergency protections,” said Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard. “Dare County remains committed to finding solutions to this ongoing issue and keeping the community informed on the progress being made every step of the way.”