Updated
Updated · WGLT · Aug 12
Metronet Restores Bloomington-Normal Internet by 1 a.m. After Storms Damaged Multiple Fiber Routes
Updated
Updated · WGLT · Aug 12

Metronet Restores Bloomington-Normal Internet by 1 a.m. After Storms Damaged Multiple Fiber Routes

1 articles · Updated · WGLT · Aug 12

Summary

  • 1 a.m. Thursday marked the end of systemic Bloomington-Normal internet outages, after Metronet customers had reported service losses since before 7 a.m. Wednesday.
  • Severe storms damaged multiple fiber routes serving the area, and Metronet said it worked with network partners to complete repairs and restore service safely.
  • Cash-only sales became a stopgap for some Twin City businesses that could not connect to credit-card systems during the disruption.
  • Stable connections elsewhere drew heavier in-person attendance as the outage disrupted work-from-home arrangements, while one public cultural institution accepted Venmo and cash for entry.

Insights

When a severe storm severs a city's digital lifeline, how much hidden revenue do businesses lose to offline payment failures?
As extreme weather repeatedly shatters vulnerable fiber networks, is your community truly prepared for the next sudden digital blackout?