Digicel and FLOW restore services, condemn fibre cable vandalism

By Clinton McGregor/Kimone Witter    

 

The island's two telecommunications providers, Digicel and FLOW, have condemned what they described as a deliberate attack on their network by vandals.

 

In a joint statement on Tuesday afternoon, the telecoms providers asserted that the attack on their fibre cables Tuesday morning was intentional.

 

The attack caused an islandwide disruption in the services of the two companies.

 

They say the incident affected both residential and business services for thousands of Digicel and Flow Jamaica customers.

 

FLOW and Digicel say the services have been fully restored.

 

They argue that the attack not only disrupted their operations, but affected the productivity, safety and functioning of the broader community dependent on these services. 

 

"I'm pleased to announce that we have restored both our mobile and fixed services to 100%. But I'm also deeply disturbed by the recent vandalism disrupting our telecommunication services. Such actions are reckless and harmful to nation building, affecting both Digicel and FLOW customers across the country. These destructive acts threaten our society and assured future. Digicel strongly condemns any form of vandalism aimed at destabilising our infrastructure," Stephen Murad, Chief Executive Officer at Digicel Jamaica. 

 

Stephen Price, Vice President and Country Manager of FLOW Jamaica, also confirmed that FLOW has rectified the damage and fully restored all its services. 

 

He joined in condemning the act of vandalism that affected its services and those of its partners, lamenting the continued preying on the telecoms industry.

 

"As a nation, we've come to a critical juncture where we must work collaboratively to really defend our country and its citizens from senseless acts like these. As critical stakeholders in Jamaica's growth, we have to continue to invest in our network to ensure readiness for the future and we urge all members of the public and other players to really join hands with us on this issue," he pleaded. 

 

Mr. Price said the continued acts of vandalism are counterproductive in today's digital age. Still, he thanked customers for their loyalty and pledged "continued commitment to providing modern and efficient telecommunication services of the highest standards".