Telkom is working on service interruption
For those who are facing the turmoil of non-operational Telkom phone lines, the telecommunications provider is trying to restore the lines after cable theft.
“Telkom is aware of service disruption in the Benoni area and we are working with our infrastructure provider Openserve to ensure that services are restored as quickly as possible,” said Telkom’s group executive for communication, Jacqui O’Sullivan, on September 26.
“The cause of the service disruption is attributed to two incidents of cable theft.”
According to O’Sullivan, two underground copper cables, a 1 000 pair (two strands of copper makes a pair) and a 600 pair, were cut and stolen on September 12.
“Openserve has already replaced these cables and all affected services provided on them have been fully restored,” O’Sullivan said.
The second incident happened in the early hours of September 15, when thieves gained access to a manhole in Turvey Street, next to the City Hall in Benoni, via a bombproof lid.
“Copper cables – a 1 800 pair, two 1 400 pairs and a 400 pair – were cut and stolen,” O’Sullivan said.
“Extensive damage to the supporting infrastructure inside the manhole has made this restoration complex and time consuming.
“Openserve has confirmed that 80 per cent of affected services on these cables were restored on Sunday (September 25) and the remaining repairs will be affected by close of business on Friday, September 30.”
Ampthill Avenue resident Shelley Owens said, on Monday, that the lines had still not been restored.
“I check every day for our landlines, and there is still nothing,” Owens said.
O’Sullivan apologised to residents for the inconvenience and assured them that there will be constant communication between Telkom and their infrastructure supplier until all affected areas have been restored.
“On bulk faults such as these, Telkom’s customers qualify for a credit on the line rental for the duration of the downtime,” she explained.
“These credits are automatically passed and customers may reach our contact centre on 10210 should they have any queries in this regard.”
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