A cut underwater cable has compromised telephone and 911 service on the San Juan Islands this week. <\/p>\n
Islanders have gone without full telephone services and use of 911 since early Tuesday morning, though temporary fixes are restoring service one island at a time. <\/p>\n
Local telephone service has remained intact within each island, but calling other islands or making long distance calls has been out, according to the Islands Sounder. <\/p>\n
Friday Harbor and San Juan Island residents have had no cell phone or internet service at all. <\/p>\n
CenturyLink said a fiber optic cable was cut between Lopez and San Juan islands. <\/p>\n
Though San Juan Islands 911 service was operational throughout the ordeal and Lopez Islands 911 service was later restored, according to the San Juan County website. <\/p>\n
However, other islands must call local seven-digit numbers to reach emergency dispatch. <\/p>\n
State Sen. Kevin Ranker issued a statement saying CenturyLink is working with Orcas Power and Light Cooperative to implement a short-term Ethernet fix to restore 911 service to the entire county. <\/p>\n
CenturyLink has also identified 6,000 feet of cable that could be used as a temporary fix that would give return all services countywide. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the ultimate goal is to replace the 14,000 feet of damaged underwater cable, which will take more time. <\/p>\n
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Read more: <\/p>\n
San Juan Islands without phone, 911 coverage<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A cut underwater cable has compromised telephone and 911 service on the San Juan Islands this week. Islanders have gone without full telephone services and use of 911 since early Tuesday morning, though temporary fixes are restoring service one island at a time. Local telephone service has remained intact within each island, but calling other islands or making long distance calls has been out, according to the Islands Sounder Continue reading