Cable repair a priority

By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor

Monday 30th July 2001

Southern Cross Cable Network says it will take around 12 days to repair damage to a cable break off the Sydney coast.

The network's services terminating in Australia were disrupted for several hours on Sunday following the break, 20 kilometres from Sydney.

Southern Cross says the cable break occurred at around 7:45 am local time during a heavy storm off the coast of Sydney, it is investigating confirmed reports of shipping in the immediate vicinity at the time of the break.

"At least one other cable, Tasman 1, has also suffered damage," the network says.

Although the network can normally be restored immediately after a single break, at the time the company was completing planned maintenance to another segment near the US coast.

Network CEO, Fiona Beck, says following the break the company quickly re-commissioned that segment and restored service to all affected protected customers within 12 to 15 hours.

"The repair to the cable break off the Sydney coast is expected to take 12 days. Fortunately our customers will continue to be in service during this period due to the loop nature of our protected network.

"Until the repair is completed and full loop protection restored, Southern Cross has suspended all maintenance and upgrade activity that could potentially disrupt service."

The company says a repair ship is currently en route to the break and is expected to arrive at the scene in 3 to 4 days.

The Southern Cross Cable Network is 50% owned by Telecom (NZSE: TEL), 40% owned by Australian telco Cable and Wireless Optus and MCI WorldCom has a 10% share.

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