Cable cut reminds us of the risk of isolation

Cable cut reminds us of the risk of isolation

The news that the Southern Cross Cable suffered its second cut in three months is a timely reminder of our reliance on that network for international connectivity from New Zealand to the rest of the world. Telecommunications Users Association of New Zealand (TUANZ) CEO, Craig Young said “while we recognise that the Southern Cross cable is well maintained and managed, there will always be the chance of incidents caused by third parties that remind us of our reliance on that single cable system.”

Today’s cut was reported to be caused overnight when a contractor working near the cable in the state of Oregon cut through it with a digger. Thankfully the design on the system as a figure eight enables the traffic to continue to flow through the other part of the network which meant no impact to customers, but situations like this leaves New Zealand families and businesses at risk of losing connectivity to the world if a second cut happens at the same time.

“We continue to support the development of a second undersea cable system to the continental United States to ensure diversity of supply and to reduce the risk of events like this having major flow on impacts on our economy” said Mr Young. “This is about securing our ability to communicate with the world and should be seen as a priority by the Government as a key enabler to businesses making the most of the ultra-fast broadband networks being built in New Zealand.”

ENDS

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