Outside help may be called in to assist with reconnections
POND ISLAND:--- TelEm Group's Outside Plant teams are determined not to let last weekend's torrential rains damped their efforts to reconnect customers after the passing of hurricane Gonzalo on the island.
The teams were all geared up to carry out a "blitz" operation in the Betty's Estate area last Saturday when teeming rain put an end to their plans.
"We were out in the field Sunday and again first thing Monday morning to catching up on what we could not do Saturday because of the rains," said TelEm Group, Manager, Outside Plant, Mr. Marco London.
He said his teams have been doubling their efforts all week to get to customers whose services are still interrupted because of overhead cable issues.
Mr. London has also indicated that a relief team of technicians is being sought from overeas in the coming days to give much-needed support to several teams of TelEm Group technicians who are already in the field in various areas around the island.
"The challenge is to use this opportunity to bring forward plans to put our telecommunication infrastructure underground in areas where the overhead infrastructure has been badly damaged," said Mr. London.
He said two areas that presently have priority are Betty's Estate and Sucker Garden, where the cables are being laid underground with the assistance of sub-contractors.
"With the additional help that has arrived we will be getting to areas that are still. We therefore continue to ask these customers in these affected areas to be patient because we are doing all that we can to get their services reconnected as soon as possible," assured Mr. London.
He said technicians began tackling the worst affected areas in Middle Region, Dutch Quarter and Nazareth Friday and will continue in these areas over the weekend
TelEm Group Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mrs. Helma Etnel said company personnel have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep up with the restoration work under great pressure from the public and now from inclement weather over which there is no control.
"Management wish to thank personnel for their efforts this far. We trust that the extra support we are bringing in will provide additional support to get services back for our customers within the shortest possible time," continued Mrs. Etnel.
She said the company is more than satisfied that the greater part of its outside plant withstood the impact of hurricane Gonzalo and was able to provide continue internet and landline coverage for customers during and after the major storm.
"Where we were seriously affected was in several areas where the overhead cable networks were damaged and where we have to work along with other services to get these networks rebuilt," said Mrs. Etnel.
She said the company's mobile network via TelCell has also performed well during and after the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo with major repairs already completed on damaged cell sites and mobile network equipment.
TELEM Press Release