mbw@unix.cis.pitt.edu (Martin B Weiss) (10/03/89)
Telephony had an article about the effects of Hugo on telephone service in Puerto Rico. Evidently, as of late last week, 93% of the island's residents had telephone (the remaining 7% being primarily in the eastern portion of the island that took a direct hit). As I mentioned in my previous post on this issue, I was able to get through via AT&T, but not MCI. AT&T does, indeed, provide the bulk of the transmission service to Puerto Rico (although exact figures weren't given). I recall reading, by the way, that PRTC is going to convert to equal access next year sometime. AT&T normally has 6500 circuits to PR, 4000 via satellite, and the remaining via microwave to St. Thomas and then via cable to the US. The 2500 ckts to St. Thomas are still out due to the widespread destruction there, but the satellite links were back in operation as soon as the winds were mild enough to permit the antennas to be set up again (by 10:30pm Sunday, according to the article). Martin Weiss Telecommunications Program, University of Pittsburgh Internet: mbw@idis.lis.pitt.edu OR mbw@unix.cis.pitt.edu BITNET: mbw@pittvms