UPDATE: Cut fiber optic cable impacts more 100 local businesses internet services

(ABC 6 News) UPDATE: – According to a Charter Spectrum spokesperson, the outage was caused by a third party working on underground sewer lines when they cut a fiber optic cable.

Services were restored just before midnight for Spectrum customers in southwest Rochester who were impacted by a temporary service disruption yesterday, just after 4 PM

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(ABC 6 News) – A six-hour-long network outage for Charter Spectrum customers impacted more than 100 businesses and residential customers.

The neon sign at Wildwood Sports Bar & Grill welcomes hungry customers. But on Monday, it also welcomed people trying to access the internet.

"Very frustrating not having cable service and internet service," said Patty Aukes. Patty and her husband are visiting from South Carolina. They’re in town taking their parents to appointments at Mayo Clinic.

But Monday’s area-wide internet and cable outage is impacting their stay at the Best Western.

No internet, means no lifeline, "not having the internet is a problem not only here, where we can’t access what we need to know for our appointments tomorrow at Mayo, but for maintaining our home when we are thousands of miles away."

The couple isn’t the only people affected by the Spectrum outage. According to the internet service, the outage stretches from 16th Street SW to 23rd Avenue SW, impacting than 100 businesses.

Burn Boot Camp was one of them.

"It’s definitely frustrating, for a few hours we can deal with it and pivot," said Administrative Assistant Garrett Larson. "Basically the world runs on the internet, so when it goes out, everything goes out the door."

The gym pivoted to hot spots and handwriting to continue operating with classes.

"Members come to work out they have to check-in, so we can keep track of who is working out and so we used pen and paper for attendance," said Larson. "The music and microphones are a huge part of our workouts so that was an issue."

Apache Mall and other retailers lost their ability to process transactions with card readers so many turned to pen and paper as well.

"It’s very frustrating, you come out and you expect to pay a bill and instead you are scrambling to find a place that has cash, it reminds you that in this age of technology, you better have a backup plan," said Ryan Mihalak.

A plan that involves, maybe a drink and some patience.

Charter Spectrum says its internet and cable service is now back up and running.