Even with the advent of satellite-based communications systems,
the bulk of communications between the US and Europe still depend
on a series of underwater cables laboriously laid across the
Atlantic. And when a fault occurs the effects can be
far-reaching.
The current problem relates to the transatlantic fibre-optic
cable known as TAT-14. Implemented in 2001, the cable connects the
UK, Denmark, Germany, France, the Netherlands and the US, but on
Tuesday a fault occurred in the link between the Netherlands and
France.
Ownership of the cable is shared between various international
telecoms companies. BT, a member of the group, told CNET that the
fault occurred in the French sphere of responsibility, and that
"France Telecom will send a cable ship out to fix and repair the
problem".
Normally one serious fault on the TAT-14 would not create
problems, as sufficient redundancy has been built into the system
to cope. Unfortunately another fault had already occurred earlier
in the month in the US sector and, as this has not yet been
rectified, disruption was inevitable.
According to CNET the disruption has largely hit BT's telephone
services, but several ISPs, including Telewest and NTL, have also
reported problems.
