Globe contractor disrupts PLDT's voice and data service in QC

An ongoing underground digging of Globe Telecom's contractor has disrupted the voice and data service of PLDT Inc. at the Quezon Avenue and Timog Avenue area in Quezon City.

PLDT informed its customers in the area that its fiber optic cables were damaged in the incident.

"Our repair teams have been in the area since last night but heavy rains prevented them from repairing the affected cables. With the improvement in the weather, we hope to restore services within 24 hours," PLDT said.

In a text message to GMA News Online, PLDT spokesperson Ramon Isberto said the target is to restore service by late Friday evening.

"The PVC conduit was damaged and needed to be repaired before we could insert the fiber optic cables. We are now in the process of installing new fiber," Isberto noted.

In another statement, Globe said it is doing infrastructure works in the area to connect the Bayantel site its own mobile network.

"In the process of doing drilling activities along Scout Reyes corner Quezon Ave., the contractor accidentally hit one of the PLDT lines," Globe said. "The company assigned one of its contractors Levinson to implement the necessary infrastructure works."

"Such accidents do happen in the course of drilling and excavation works to embed terrestrial fiber cables in our public roads. It is inherent in our line of business and all telcos experience these hazards at any time," said Yoly Crisanto, Globe's SVP for Corporate Communications.

"Fiber cuts could be caused by any telco contractor or even the DPWH which is why built-in redundancies in our respective networks are important," Crisanto noted.

The telco said that Levinson, its contractor, has deployed several teams to hasten the repair.

"Repairs are expected to be finished by 5:00 this afternoon," Globe said. — VDS, GMA News