While much of Telecom’s network in Christchurch remains operable, there is significant congestion and due to widespread power outages much of our network is currently working off backup power.

To minimise the stress on the network and to conserve back-up power we ask people to only use their phones for emergency calls.

111 services are stable. The Christchurch 111 call centre has been successfully diverted to Wellington, and a back up site in Palmerston North is on standby if required.

We are working to maintain services and adding extra capacity to the mobile networks.

Our primary objective is to restore communications to emergency services, civil defence and health and safety organisations.

In addition, due to the loss of power in customers’ homes, wireless landline phones will not be working as base stations require power. If customers have analogue non-wireless landline handsets they will still work without power, so they are encouraged to use those for landline calls.

Telecom has moved to enable free calling from 280 payphones in and around Christchurch for local, national and mobile calls. Free payphone calling will be live from 3am on Wednesday 23 February.

We will provide regular updates as more information becomes available.

Our thoughts are with the people of Canterbury.

ENDS

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