1 - 7 March 2001

Internet access interrupted

by David Kelleher

A good number of Internet users were unable to browse or send email yesterday afternoon after a serious fault was detected in the international Seabone Internet Link.
The fault developed at around 3.40pm on the link between Sicily and the United States. This resulted in all traffic passing through the Seabone link to be terminated throughout yesterday evening. The Seabone link is the international connection through which all internet service providers must pass in order to access the worldwide web anywhere outside of Malta.
The only internet users that were affected by the problem were those whose ISP did not have an alternative link to the Internet. In a statement yesterday evening, Video On Line said that its subscribers were not affected because apart from its connection to Seabone it also has a link to Teleglobe in London. Thus none of Vol or On-Vol users was affected.
“VOL and ON-Vol reiterate their commitment to their subscribers in providing a consistent and superior quality service all round, including the provision of back up systems and troubleshooting measures at all times,” the statement added.