Media Release - May 23, 2000
Cable
& Wireless Hurricane Tips
Cable & Wireless answeres your questions about communications
services in the event of a hurricane
As the hurricane season begins, Cable & Wireless shares some answers to commonly asked questions about communications in the Cayman Islands before, during, and after a storm.
Q. What advice does Cable &Wireless have for customers when a hurricane is approaching or we have bad weather?
A. Take hurricanes seriously. They are major risks to life and property and should not be taken lightly. In this regard, the National Hurricane Committee does a good job of informing the public, and their advice should be followed.
Q. What has Cable &Wireless done to prepare for the Hurricane Season?
A. The company has taken a number of steps to prepare for the season:
• We have a computerized Disaster Preparedness and Restoration system that will help us to manage a storm strike. The system provides specific tasks for individuals and/or teams to carry out at each phase of the event, including pre-hurricane season tasks.
• We have just completed updating the system, and will be running a comprehensive drill early in June to test our plans and the responsiveness of our teams.
• Part of our pre-season preparedness, which is on going at present, is to test all stand-by generators and maintain full fuel tanks for the duration of the season.
Q. Is there anything people can do to their communication devices to prepare for the season?
A. There a few things people can do to minimize damage and loss of communications service:
• Clear tree branches on their property from around telephone wires, being careful not to put any strain whatsoever on the wires.
• Get spare batteries for cordless and mobile phones.
• If telecommunications or any electronic equipment is on the floor, raise it off the floor to minimize the chance of water damage.
Q. Are there steps people should take in case their phone goes out?
A. There are a few steps to follow:
• Wait until the all clear, and then report the outage to Cable &Wireless at 611.
• Under no circumstances should non-Cable &Wireless employees touch any downed telephone lines. Call us and we will deal with them.
• Once you have called us to report an outage, please limit the number of calls to check on progress. Your report will be dealt with, and we will be reporting periodically over the radio as to progress on repairs in all areas. We have personnel pre-assigned to survey and work in specific areas after the storm has passed in an effort to minimize outage times.
Q. Will communications services be voluntarily cut-off by C&W at any time, and why?
A. Yes, under certain circumstances:
• When wind speeds reach 60MPH C&W will cut off international services by satellite as we will have to stow the satellite earth station (the dish) to minimize the chances of damage to it. In the stow position the dish is rated to withstand wind speeds up to 180MPH.
• Limited International service will still be available via our undersea cable system to Jamaica.
• Local service will not be voluntarily cut-off at any time
Ends
For more information contact:
Andrea
Fa'amoe
Public Relations Manager
Cable & Wireless, Cayman
Tel: 1 345 914 0553
Cell: 1 345 916 6033
E-mail: prm@candw.ky
Editor's
Note:
Cable & Wireless is a major global telecommunications business with annual
revenue of around 8 billion pounds (US$13 billion) and customers in 70
countries. Its business around the world offers a range of services spanning
broadband data, Internet and voice services. Cable & Wireless' priority
for expansion is the fast growing market of IP (Internet Protocol) and
data services for business customers. It is making major investments in
developing advanced networks and services in the US, Europe and the Asia-Pacific
region to build the world's leading global IP infrastructure. With the
capacity of this advanced infrastructure and its presence in key business
markets, Cable & Wireless holds a unique position in terms of global coverage
and services to business customers.