04-07-2025
Rats, not weather, to blame for Golden Bay's mobile phone and internet outage
Photo:
RNZ/Mark Papalii
It has been revealed rats rather than bad weather were responsible for a mobile phone and internet outage in Golden Bay on Thursday.
The severed fibreoptic cable at Uruwhenua Bridge on State Highway 60 knocked out connection to about 1100 households and sparked concern with residents unable to access 111 emergency services.
The Telecommunications Forum confirmed rats chewed through the wire.
Chief executive Paul Brislen said it's not uncommon to have rat infestations around fibre lines.
He wanted the government to look at prioritising upgrades to the 111 emergency phone line.
Chorus said the fault had impacted 350 copper connections and 800 fibre connections.
It brought in technicians from other areas to help find the fault as quickly as possible in difficult weather conditions.
"Our field teams have quickly mobilised to the fault site and are working to identify the cause of the outage," it said in a statement on Thursday.
"Priority will be given to faults that affect multiple customers or involve medical or emergency needs.
"Additionally, because Chorus' fibre network supports many of New Zealand's mobile towers, restoring mobile coverage is also a focus."
Chorus apologised to affected customers for the inconvenience caused by the outage.
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