Network status
Overall Telecom’s network remains stable and operational. All Telecom exchanges are working, using a combination of mains and generated power, as are the majority of roadside cabinets. The mobile network is fully functioning. Work is now focused on diagnosing and restoring localised faults.

Earthquake damage has affected some large underground cables, particularly in the east of the city affecting services within the suburbs of Linwood, Mt Pleasant, Shirley, New Brighton, Sumner, Lyttleton and Beckenham.

Chorus technicians are working as quickly as possible to assess quake damage and to identify the best option for restoring services. Already more than 37 major cables have been repaired, however, there are still customers without phone or internet services - particularly in eastern parts of Christchurch – due to physical damage to the network or continued loss of power.

Analogue phone campaign
Telecom CEO Paul Reynolds said the nationwide response to Telecom’s campaign for analogue landline phones has been incredible, with more than 5,000 phones being distributed in Christchurch and more on the way.

“We’ve had a fantastic response to our request for analogue phones and I’d like to say a huge thank you to all of the Kiwis who have contributed.

“Phones are being donated all over the country through our Telecom retail stores and we’re working with Civil Defence to distribute them to people in Christchurch still without power,” he said.

People in Christchurch still without power can pick up an analogue phone from one of Telecom’s Connect Hubs located at welfare centres such as Burnside High School and Pioneer Stadium, and Telecom stores in Riccarton, Hornby and Northlands Shopping Mall.

Update on free payphones and donations
More than 55,000 calls have been made from 260 free Telecom payphones across Christchurch. Locations of Telecom free payphones and WiFi hotspots can be found at www.telecom.co.nz/chch

More than 30,000 people have used the official Red Cross txt-to-donate fundraising service, supplied by Telecom, to donate to the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal. Users of all New Zealand mobile networks can text 4419 to make an automatic $3 donation to the Appeal. To ensure 100% of the donation will make its way to the Appeal, Telecom is providing this service free-of-charge.

Detail of Telecom’s response to the Canterbury Earthquake and information for Telecom customers can be found at http://www.telecom.co.nz/earthquake

ENDS

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