GREENVILLE-In Greenville, cuts to internet service recently became more than just an inconvenience — Stephanie Williams says they’ve recently become a repeated disruption.
“I really feel like I’m paying a bill for nothing. I don’t have the internet it’s constantly out and it’s hard to work with the internet service being like it is,” said Stephanie Williams.
After at least two recent outages, Minnie Jamerson says the service disruptions have affected her sons who work from home and local business owners.
“When it’s down like that the internet service has provided for a lot of things, so I’m quite sure on the devastation because we depend on the internet for different information,” said Minnie Jamerson.
Optimum has battled with outages over the last few weeks, with the latest happening this past Monday.
In statement after the most serious outage of more than 24 hours about 2 weeks ago, optimum blamed vandalism.
In his own statement, mayor Errick Simmons demanded answers and pledged to meet with optimum representatives to learn what steps are being taken to prevent future outages.
That meeting took place Thursday at the City Council Chambers at Greenville City Hall.
Optimum representatives weren’t available to comment but promised a statement soon.
Mayor Simmons promised the problems will be addressed.
“We press on them today to make sure it stops, and it stops now. The way we do that is we demanded a long term enhance infrastructure plan. More importantly what we can do together to make sure we have dependable service, and we lessen the outages that occur,” said Errick Simmons.
Jamerson and Williams hope the meeting helps prevent further outages.
“Hopefully this will end the situation or slow it down more or completely stop,” said Minnie Jamerson.
“I really hope we can something resolved from this,” said Stephanie Williams.
They hope with both the city and optimum working to prevent vandalism, Greenville won’t lose its connection to the world, again.