Orcas Island outage update

Published 11:22 am Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Submitted by CenturyLink

The blockage that was reported on Orcas Island, Tuesday, Nov. 12, was caused by call volumes exceeding capacity and Orcas Island customers that tried making calls while we were at 100 percent were not able to make any calls including 911. They have added additional capacity and will continue to monitor the system closely.

CenturyLink technicians continue to work around the clock in the San Juan Islands to repair the underwater fiber cut. CenturyLink’s priority is and continues to be full restoration of communications as quickly as possible. CenturyLink continues to augment voice and data capacity through alternative communications facilities as fast as they become available in addition to the fiber restoration activities.

As part of CenturyLink’s multi-million dollar repair effort, they have deployed resources from across the state, brought in international experts who initially helped deploy the fiber, leveraged multiple barges and tug boats and have partnered with providers where facilities were available.