Wide-ranging Broadband Sector Introduces New Strategy to Counteract Mounting Incidents of Network Sabotage

The broadband industry has taken a significant step in addressing the rising number of attacks and vandalism on key telecommunications infrastructure in the United States. The Strategic Threat Response & Infrastructure Knowledge Exchange (STRIKE) has been launched, aiming to combat this growing threat.

The core mission of STRIKE is to highlight broadband damage and destruction as a top-tier national security threat. The initiative is co-led by SCTE, a subsidiary of CableLabs, and NCTA - The Internet & Television Association.

The first strategic meeting of STRIKE will take place at TechExpo25, providing a critical platform for participants to set the strategic vision and drive immediate impact. Comcast's Elad Nafshi serves as the chair of the STRIKE Executive Forum, while Charter Communications' Tom Monaghan serves as the vice chair. The Forum includes senior executives from leading broadband operators such as Comcast, Charter, Altice USA, CableOne, Cox, GCI, Mediacom, and Rogers.

NCTA is leading efforts to address criminal threats to broadband infrastructure. They are advocating for federal legislation such as H.R. 2784-- Stopping the Theft and Destruction of Broadband Act of 2025. Additionally, NCTA is encouraging agencies like the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to increase intelligence sharing.

Many of these incidents go beyond mere acts of vandalism, as they're deliberate assaults that disrupt key facilities. STRIKE aims to facilitate intelligence sharing to quickly identify and mitigate emerging threats. The initiative also plans to integrate policy advocacy, technical standards, and operational protocols into a cohesive national defense strategy.

Rikin Thakker, chief technology officer and senior vice president of NCTA, stated that the issue is not simply an industry issue; it's a nationwide emergency. Maria Popo, president and CEO of SCTE, emphasized that a threat to broadband infrastructure is a threat to national security.

STRIKE will leverage SCTE's operational expertise to surface cross-operator insights that strengthen broadband resilience. The initiative aims to address the alarming spike in criminal attacks on essential broadband infrastructure, including U.S. military bases, 911 services, fire and police departments, healthcare facilities, law enforcement, government services and agencies, and educational and financial institutions.

NCTA is pushing for more resources to be allocated to regions with high incident rates of infrastructure attacks. The exact date of the first meeting of the STRIKE Executive Forum is not available, but it is anticipated to be a significant step forward in safeguarding the nation's broadband infrastructure.

Wide-ranging Broadband Sector Introduces New Strategy to Counteract Mounting Incidents of Network Sabotage