Fergie's Tech Blog

Aftershocks Hamper Taiwan's Cable Repair

Ed Sutherland writes on internetnews.com:

Days after earthquakes hit Taiwan, cutting communications cables linking the country with the rest of the world, the country is still contending with the effects of aftershocks on its underwater communications system.

Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan's largest communications provider, now says it is using satellite connections to restore voice and data to Asia and the U.S. The original plan was to route traffic over cables spared by the initial quake, but the cables were hit by two aftershocks, according to an e-mailed statement.

Chunghwa said ships are steaming toward the damaged cables, and repairs will be done "as soon as possible." Verizon Communications, Chunghwa's partner in a proposed $500 million undersea optical cable project directly linking the U.S. with China, said it could be two weeks before voice and data service return fully.

Telus, a Canadian operator, said its Asian operations have returned to normal. However, calls to the Philippines remain at half capacity. A spokeswoman said Internet users are still experiencing delays.

posted by Fergie @ 12/29/2006 04:40:00 PM