Here in America, we have a system designed to prevent problems caused by digging underground. Prior to digging, one is supposed to call 8-1-1 so that underground utilities can be marked. Problems with hitting buried utility lines are thus avoided.

Apparently, one construction crew neglected to call 8-1-1 before they began their work. They then hit a fiber line, which brought down the local 8-1-1 system entirely.