for THE PAPER
Morganton’s proprietary telephone and internet service, CoMPAS X-Stream, suffered a 90-minute system-wide outage late Thursday morning, terminating internet access and telephone service for thousands of residents and businesses throughout the city.
Around 4,500 customers were impacted.
Its cable television service did not appear to be affected.
At about 11 a.m., the city posted on its Facebook page, “Our crews are working to fix the issue, but we do not have an estimated time of restoration. Thank you for your patience and understanding.”
The service was restored about 12:40 p.m. Customers could not telephone or email Morganton City Hall support staff because those communication systems rely on internet availability.
The outage brings to nine the number of Morganton infrastructure issues that have plagued residents since Jan. 1, 2025.
Using posts from Morganton’s Facebook page, residents argue that power and internet outages havethose outages include:
Jan 16: Due to a motor vehicle accident on Sanford Drive, customers on Sanford Drive, Lost Corner Road, Vine Arden Road, and Kirksey Drive will be experiencing power outages for approximately 3-4 hours.
Jan 17: Due to a water main break, customers on Ervin Road from Newland Street to Avery Avenue as well as York Street will have a water service interruption for 4-6 hours as crews make repairs.
Jan 23: Water outage alert at 2:20 p.m.: Customers on Branch Street will be experiencing a water service outage due to a water line break for approximately 4-6 hours. We thank you for your patience and understanding during this cold weather.
Feb. 4: Due to a wreck that occurred on Burkemont Avenue that took down a power pole, approximately 1,400 customers are without power. Crews are on scene and working to restore power and expect it to be turned back on in an hour.  We will keep you updated with any new information that becomes available.
Feb. 16: Power outage alert: Our electric crews are aware of a power outage affecting the following areas: Bethel Road, Woodlawn Drive, Inglewood Drive, Pinebark Court, Oakwood Street, Heritage Lane, Stonebridge Drive, Lackey Street, Shuping Street, Willowbrook Drive. City of Morganton Electric crews are aware and are assessing damages and will start repairs soon. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Feb. 20: Water outage alert: City of Morganton water crews are repairing a hydrant in the area of West Union Street. Water will be shut off on West Union Street from North Anderson Street to the 600 block of West Union Street for approximately 4-6 hours. We apologize for any inconvenience and will keep customers updated with new info!
Feb. 21: Update: 9:20 a.m. – This morning around 8 a.m., a substation lost power affecting approximately 2,700 customers. City of Morganton electric crews are working to reroute power to customers. They are having to isolate the substation to find the problem. It will be approximately 4-6 hours before we have power restored, but that is an estimation.
Feb. 27: Customers on Frank Whisnant Road to 1478 Watermill Road will be experiencing a water outage as our water crews are making repairs to a water line. It should only take approximately two hours to make repairs. Thank you for your patience and understanding. 
March 6: Internet/phone outage: We are currently experiencing a city-wide internet and phone outage. Our crews are working to fix the issue, but we do not have an estimated time of restoration. Thank you for your patience and understanding. We will keep you updated with any new information that becomes available.