Cable, service affected after earthquake

PAPUA New Guinea DataCo advises that due to the earthquake that occurred in Morobe two weeks ago, the Kumul Submarine Cable Network suffered multiple breaks between Madang and Lae and between Lae and Popondetta.
All the services were restored recently on the secondary links but with increased latency due to satellite use.
PNG DataCo managing director Paul Komboi said PNG DataCo contact customers to ensure service continuity at acceptable levels as we work towards a permanent fix.
“Following tests carried out by DataCo and our suppliers, the cable has suffered at least three breaks outside Lae area,” he said.
“The restoration time frame for the Submarine cable will take approximately six weeks.
“Our team is doing everything in their control to ensure services are restored to the primary links in the shortest possible time.”
Komboi said the industry should understand that such submarine cable network infrastructure throughout the world was not covered under any insurance skim.
Furthermore, such occurrence of earthquakes or natural disaster are usually excluded under any insurance, he added.