Contractor cuts Northland phone connections

A roading contractor dug up a fibre optic cable and cut phone, internet and mobile connections between Mata and Waipu in Northland yesterday.

The line was broken at 10.45am and Telecom contractor Chorus managed to restore the line by 7.30pm.

Chorus spokesman Robin Kelly said about 900 homes and businesses lost their connections and Chorus would be seeking labour costs from the roading contractor.

However, Mr Kelly said Chorus would not be compensating phone and internet providers for the disruption.

Mr Kelly said the company spends about $1.6 million a year repairing 2000 lines that have been dug up.

He said anyone doing ground work should contact beforeUdig - a service that tells people where phone, power, gas and water lines are located.

- NZHERALD STAFF