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TONGA-TELECOMMUNICATION-INTERNET
Tonga emerges from cyber darkness as internet restored
NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga, Feb 3, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Tonga’s two-week spell of
virtual cyber darkness has ended, with authorities announcing Sunday that
full internet services had been restored to the Pacific island kingdom.
“Welcome back to the internet #Tonga. We are happy to report fiber cut is
repaired and #Tonga is back online,” Network Atlas, which maps the world’s
submarine and terrestrial networks, tweeted.
The Pacific island nation of 110,000 people — which relies heavily on the
internet for daily supplies and vital tourist earnings — was plunged into
virtual cyber darkness when the sole cable providing a digital link to the
outside world was severed.
For two weeks, until cable repair ship Reliance restored the link on
Saturday, Tonga has survived on a small, locally operated satellite service
to maintain limited international phone services and to process credit card
payments.
Social media sites including Facebook and YouTube were blocked to allow
essential services to continue.
“We woke up to pretty good news this morning,” Tonga government spokesman
Lopeti Senituli told Radio New Zealand.
“It’s been two quiet weeks, so people are catching up on the gossip and the
what-have-yous.” Chamber of Commerce president Paula Taumoepeau said
businesses were hit hard by the blackout while banks were unable to process
money transfers for families who rely on income from relatives working
overseas.
“Some of the suppliers couldn’t get their orders out in time, regular
orders didn’t happen. There was a lot of disruption and we’re hoping things
are back to normal on Monday,” Taumoepeau said.
Although the cause of the blackout has not been established, officials are
investigating the possibility that it was cut by a large ship dragging an
anchor along the seabed.
BSS/AFP/MSY/0911 hrs