Exetel customers in Narrabri and surrounding areas experienced a complete loss of internet connection at around 8:00pm on July 20th 2009. For some, services resumed by 9:30pm, while others remained disconnected. Due to damage to a series of main line optic fibre cables in use by Exetel, located in Pyrmont; Sydney, Over 50% of ‘ADSL 1′ customers in New South Wales have been experiencing slow or intermittent internet access since late lastnight. Exetel report that the damage is a problem that only the supplier (Telstra) can repair. Telstra reports major fibre damage to a ’set’ of optic fibre cables, in which all data lines were severed, including the spare or ‘backup’ lines. While internet traffic has been rerouted in order to get as many customers as possible back online again, many are still and will be experiencing a very slow service until repairs are completed.
To keep appraised of any progress, you can visit the Exetel forum thread here for more information.
Update [11:10am July 21st 2009]: Repair on the damaged lines is currently in progress
Update [7:00pm July 21st 2009]: This issue has been fully resolved. Internet speeds should gradually return to normal within the next 12 – 24 hours. If you are still experiencing problems afterwards, please log a fault with Exetel.