CUT-OFF PHONES LEAVES CALLERS HUNG-UP



Connaught Telegraph


By TOM GILLESPIE

FAULTY PHONE links are costing subscribers dearly, particularly at off-peak periods, it was revealed last night. The problem has arisen in the Ballyglass and Islandeady areas of Co. Mayo where calls are automatically cut off after two minutes.

Normally phone users can make a 15 minute call for 15p in the evenings or at weekends.

But according to Senator Paddy Burke a quarter-of-an-hour is costing householders 75p because to stay on the line for that length of time they would have to redial the number FIVE times.

Senator Burke said:

"It appears there is a defect at the local exchanges which caused calls to be terminated automatically after two minutes or so. "This is very frustrating and means that callers who wish to converse for the standard 15-minutes would have to redial each other five times."
Senator Burke said he would bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Transport and Communications, Mr. Michael Lowry. He added:
"Telecom Eireann should reimburse subscribers for the poor service, constant inconvenience and extra costs they are experience because of the faulty exchanges. "It should be possible for company technicians to rectify this fault so that the public in these areas can have a proper service."


Connaught Telegraph - News - February 1996

Connaught Telegraph - Sport - February 1996