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Technology-alert system to be launched after earthquake chaos

Jan 30, 2007, 9:20 GMT

Hong Kong - An alert system designed to prevent a repeat of the internet chaos which followed the Taiwan earthquake on Boxing Day will be introduced next month, Hong Kong's telecommunications authority said Tuesday. The system will require operators to report larger disruptions and stoppages to the Office of Telecommunications Authority (OFTA) within a specified time. The authority would be responsible for informing the public. Asia was plunged into internet chaos on Boxing Day when an undersea earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale struck Taiwan's southern coast. The quake and its aftershocks damaged four of Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom's six undersea cables, cutting off or slowing down the voice, data and internet connections of many Asian countries with India, Europe and the US. Most networks resumed service within 48 hours after re-routing connections but many suffered delays during peak times for up to two weeks. Service providers and OFTA came under criticism for failing to inform customers of the problem promptly. The authority only released a statement almost 24 hours after the damage. Director-General of Telecommunications Au Man-ho said he expected the new warning system would be in place next month. 'We consider that both the operators and OFTA should play their respective roles in advising the users and the public,' he said. © 2007 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur

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Technology-alert system to be launched after earthquake chaos

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