A “third party” was responsible for damaging Charter Communications’ fiber optic network and the resulting internet service interruptions Western Tidewater residents experienced in the morning and afternoon on Aug. 9, according to Charter spokesman Scott Pryzwansky.

The intermittent internet outages spanned from Isle of Wight County to the cities of Suffolk and Franklin.

“Our technical teams are working to restore services as quickly as possible for those impacted customers,” Pryzwansky said, noting services had already been restored as of just after 2 p.m. for many impacted customers.