(PR.co.nz) Telecom New Zealand has announced its Chorus business will be sending a team of Chorus and service company technicians to Brisbane following a request by Telstra.
The team of New Zealand technicians will assist in the restoration of telecommunications services to the devastated Queensland and NSW regions.
“We want to lend a hand by sending a team who are experts at restoring cable faults and fixing services in homes and businesses. They will be able to work with Telstra’s team on the ground to help get people back on line as quickly as possible,” said Chorus spokesperson Melanie Marshall.
Telecom is also ready to support New Zealand aid organisations that are assisting in Australia’s flood-stricken areas.
“We want to do what we can to support New Zealanders working with emergency services and aid agencies who may be called on to assist in Australia in the coming days,” said Telecom spokesperson Mark Watts.
“Telecom will provide phone credits for New Zealand volunteers who are using Telecom mobiles on the ground.”
Mr Watts said a universal text-to-donate service has also been facilitated by Telecom to support the New Zealand Red Cross in its national appeal, Australian Floods Fund, for those affected by the disaster.
New Zealanders can donate $3 each time by texting “flood” to 336 from Telecom, Vodafone or 2degrees networks.
Across the ditch, Gen-i Australia is working closely with AAPT and Vodafone to keep clients updated. Currently a number of services have been affected, and site access issues are creating difficulties restoring full service to these areas.
“Telecom continues to monitor the situation in Australia closely,” Mark Watts said.
“We ask that New Zealand customers keep phone calls to areas affected by the flooding as brief as possible to avoid overloading already strained networks.”
Media Release 14 January 2011 from Telecom NZ.