Errol Miller - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer Following a comprehensive assessment of its two networks islandwide, Cable & Wireless Jamaica is reporting that its bmobile and fixed networks withstood the fury of Hurricane Dean and performed admirably before, during and after the passage of the hurricane.
Service interruptions
In a statement, the company said that notwithstanding, as with any major natural disaster such as a hurricane as powerful as Dean, there were some service interruptions. However, most of the major faults have now been corrected and Cable & Wireless repair crews are engaged across the island working to address all outstanding issues.
The major issues that have been addressed include the microwave line connecting St. Thomas into our mobile network was restored yesterday; the fibre optic cable which was damaged and affected service in Manchester, St. Elizabeth and Clarendon was also restored yesterday.
The company, in the statement issued by Errol K. Miller, vice-president, corporate communications and corporate affairs, said that the priority areas that remain to be corrected and which are actively being addressed are the Mandeville Exchange where about 1,000 customer are without fixed line service because the exchange was flooded and equipment damaged; an antennae in Laughlands in, St. Ann,that was blown out o another antennae at Huntley in, St. Elizabeth, which was also blown out o and is affecting service in Whitehouse, Junction, Malvern, Thornton and Siloah; In Old Harbour Bay, St Catherine, flooded equipment has left the area without service; while a problem with a generator is affecting service in the Tower Isle St. Ann area.
Customers are reminded that in some areas where service has been interrupted, this may be due to the absence of the public power supply and service will be restored as soon as the power is back.
"Once again, Cable & Wireless is reminding the public not to cut telephone cables that may have come loose from poles or were shifted out of position. If the cable is not broken, service will remain uninterrupted. Cable & Wireless is therefore strongly appealing to members of the public not to cut or otherwise damage these cables.
"Instead, the company is asking that all such occurrences be reported to its Emergency Control Centre at 929-9834 or 926-9283 and a crew will be dispatched to carry out repairs as soon as it is safe to do so. In addition, the company's call centre should be fully operational at noon today and customers are being encouraged to report any and all issues by calling, charge free to1-888-225-5295."
