London-based internet service provider G.Network filed for insolvency after rodents caused extensive damage to fiber optic infrastructure, highlighting a growing threat to global telecommunications and connectivity networks.

Key Points

• G.Network filed for insolvency in early 2026 after rats caused significant damage to its fiber optic cables, leading Community Fibre to withdraw a planned acquisition.
• Rodent-related outages have occurred across the U.K., including a 2023 incident in Tring and recent service disruptions in Doncaster.
• Experts warn that biodegradable cable jackets made from soy or corn-based materials may attract rodents, increasing the risk of future infrastructure damage.
• Beyond rats, other rodents like gophers and squirrels frequently damage electrical and communication lines, including a 1987 incident where a squirrel disabled the NASDAQ.
• Openreach engineers noted that rodents are capable of chewing through high-durability cable casings that typically require power tools to penetrate.

Why it Matters

The increasing frequency of rodent-related infrastructure damage poses a significant financial and operational risk to telecommunications companies worldwide. As providers explore sustainable, biodegradable materials for cable sheaths, they must balance environmental goals against the reality of persistent pest interference that can trigger costly service blackouts.