Recently, Shanghai experienced a sudden internet outage, leaving residents without broadband connection in their homes. This unexpected disruption led to many families being unable to access the internet or use related services, causing anxiety and dissatisfaction among the population. Numerous citizens initially thought that their computers were malfunctioning, as China Telecom has yet to provide a clear response regarding the issue.
On August 26th, the abnormality in Shanghai Telecom’s broadband network gained widespread attention. Discussions about this topic quickly became a hot trend on Weibo, with users in various social circles sharing their feedback and opinions. Many users reported that around 5:30 PM that day, their broadband internet suddenly disconnected, and contacting the telecom customer service hotline 10000 also proved to be difficult, resulting in the inability of many households to access the internet or use related services.
Several Shanghai netizens described on social media how they initially thought the issue was related to unpaid bills or equipment malfunction. They attempted self-help measures such as recharging fees and restarting routers, but the problem persisted. Some users even sought help from telecom technicians, only to be informed that the entire Shanghai Telecom system was facing similar issues. Soon, rumors about the “collapse” of Shanghai Telecom spread rapidly on social media platforms.
After several hours, some users reported that the network was gradually being restored, but many others stated that the problem had not been completely resolved.
Facing questioning and discontent from users, employees of China Telecom’s Shanghai branch released an official statement through official channels, stating: “Around 5:30 PM on August 26, 2024, Shanghai Telecom experienced abnormalities in some of its broadband services. Currently, Shanghai Telecom is working on rapid repairs…” However, China Telecom has yet to provide a positive response regarding the specific cause of this network abnormality.
Several publicly listed companies’ strategic, management, brand, and marketing consultants, such as the blogger “焚書再觀天下,” expressed that Shanghai’s widespread internet outage highlighted a significant flaw prevalent in Chinese enterprises, particularly the lack of contingency plans in management. This network disruption in Shanghai, caused by China Telecom, resulted in companies losing over 300,000 in just 30 minutes. Moreover, many individuals became anxious, suspecting issues with their personal computers.
“As one of the three telecommunications giants in China, China Telecom holds a monopoly in the industry. However, during these thirty minutes, they remained inactive and helpless. Imagine if a war broke out, and within thirty minutes, your communication systems were paralyzed. Essentially, it can be said that Shanghai could be easily compromised. ”
He emphasized that such sudden network disruptions should alert businesses, especially monopolistic giants in China, to their responsibility of service rather than profit. When the leaders of these companies lack backup plans and fail to anticipate the potential difficulties faced by the general public during emergencies, they are not fit to lead. This incident should not be overlooked, and it is recommended that relevant authorities impose significant penalties on those responsible for this severe incident.
It is noteworthy that this widespread internet outage in Shanghai is not the first to occur in recent years. On June 8, 2023, similar network disruption faults occurred in Guangdong Telecom, resulting in mobile phones having no signal, unable to make calls, and send text messages for several hours.
Regarding the sudden broadband outage incident in Shanghai Telecom, many netizens expressed that China Telecom should promptly investigate the cause and disclose the truth while providing affected users with reasonable explanations and appropriate compensation.