EoW September 2012

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News
Corporate
September 2012
UK telecom provider BT has reconnected network
cables to hundreds of homes in Scotland, after
thieves damaged a subsea link. The firm described
a “major engineering challenge” to restore telecoms
services delivered via the fibre-optic cable in Loch
Carron.
An attempt was made to steal the cable in early
June, with the perpetrators apparently believing it
was made of copper wire.
Up to 7,000 residents and businesses in Skye,
Lochalsh and the Western Isles lost telephone
and Internet services as a result of the network
damage. Engineers had to wait until low tide to
begin work to deploy a new section of cable, a task
which took over six hours to complete.
Robert Morrison, BT’s senior operations manager
in the Highlands and Islands, said of the repair
workers: “I really can’t praise their efforts highly
enough as the sea was virtually lapping at their
feet when they finished connecting the links in
the loch,” adding, “I’d also like to thank the local
coastguard for providing us with safety support.”
British Telecom – UK
Website:
Thieves damage subsea cable
▲ ▲ Loch Carron. Photograph courtesy of johnbraid, Big Stock Photos