Cable damage leaves hudreds without phone and internet

HUNDREDS of businesses and homes across a large area of West Somerset were left for several hours without telephones and internet access on Thursday, February 15.
It happened after the main optical fibre cable bringing services into the district suffered what BT described as ‘third party damage’.
In plain English, a contractor is believed to have cut through the cable while carrying out works near Taunton.
Massive disruption resulted for businesses in Minehead and Watchet and the surrounding area as they were unable to make or receive telephone calls, nor access broadband or dial-up internet services.
Email systems were also inoperable and some mobile phone calls were affected because they are often routed along underground cables between masts.
Even the emergency 999 telephone system was brought down by the damaged cable and more police had to be out on the streets in case they were needed.
A BT spokeswoman told The Crier the exact cause of the incident was yet to be determined.
She said 999 calls were always a priority in such a situation and the service was restored ‘almost immediately’.
However, she said it took about three hours before all telephones and internet access were properly restored.
The incident served to highlight the vulnerability of modern businesses to sudden technology failures.

Free laptop computer to be given to home-based business

A BRAND new laptop computer is available to be won for free in a draw being held at 12 noon at the West Somerset Business Fair on Wednesday, February 28.
The fair is being organised in the Queens Hall, Minehead, by the West Somerset Business Network, from 11 am to 6 pm.
The business network has already sent out a questionnaire to all known businesses which operate from home, and anybody who completes and returns the form will be entered into the draw for the laptop.
The form needs to be returned by February 15, and for anybody who has not received a copy, it is available from the business network’s website at www.westsomersetbusinessnetwork.org.
The aim of the questionnaire is to determine the future needs of local businesses and to gauge whether there is demand for a high-speed broadband service in West Somerset.
The business network is working in partnership with the prize sponsor, Westlabb Ltd, and questionnaire sponsor, Connecting Somerset, which is also one of the business fair sponsors.
District council cabinet member, Councillor Roger Webber, who is a director of Westlabb, said: “Westlabb, via the Exmoor Community Computer Centre who deliver the IT training, has done a fantastic job in enabling residents in rural parishes to form worldwide links via the internet.
“If people want more training, they can contact Jo Hoare at the computer centre on 01643 851594.”
Westlabb Ltd has successfully achieved its main objectives since its formation in 2004 by facilitating internet and IT training for 14 parishes within West Somerset.
It also commissioned the West Somerset Internet Community Interest Company to provide a high-speed broadband service to Crowcombe, Brompton Regis, and Luxborough, and is now considering whether to extend this service.
Anybody who would like to learn more about broadband for their business is welcome to have an informal discussion with Connecting Somerset at the business fair on February 28.

• Our photograph shows the laptop computer prize with (left to right) district council rural facilitator Angela Lamplough, Westlabb director Bob Druitt, Neil Saunders and Dave Cornish, both of Connecting Somerset, Councillor Roger Webber, and Westlabb directors Phil Brown, Iain Joyce, and Jon Summers. Photo submitted.