Johannesburg, 08 Nov 2011
In light of seasonable heavy rains and electrical storm activity expected across SA during the annual rainy season, Telkom is gearing up to minimise network-related faults.
According to the company, thunderstorms are most prevalent at this time of year, especially in the interior regions of the country, with the greater Gauteng and Free State areas being most affected.
“Gauteng, in particular, is predisposed to heavy rains and its high water table often results in the flooding of underground access infrastructure. Flooding not only causes faults, it also restricts workmen from accessing the fault zone, causing delays in repair times.”
Managing executive for network field services Theo Hess says Telkom has embarked on an extensive programme to ensure network reliability and resilience during these adverse weather conditions. “This includes an extensive campaign, during the months leading up to the rainy season, where Telkom ensured the insulation of all exposed and vulnerable cable joints.
“Telkom is also mobilising all available technicians to work additional hours in order to address outstanding faults as expeditiously as possible,” says Hess.
Telkom advises that whenever there is a thunderstorm, it is possible that lightning, or electrical power surges caused by lightning, may damage one or more computer components with excessive voltage. “Modems are especially susceptible, because a harmful power surge can reach the modem in two ways - through the electrical power grid and through the telephone line to which the modem is connected.
“Customers are advised that when there is a thunderstorm, all electronic devices, especially computers, should be unplugged to avoid damage from harmful power surges. Not only should all power supply cables be unplugged, but also any telephone cables that are connected to the computer.”
"While the bad weather is likely to prevail, we will intensify our efforts to ensure that interrupted services are repaired timeously," says Hess.
Share