Earthquake disrupts Asian communications

An earthquake off the coast of Taiwan on Boxing Day caused serious disruption to Asian telco networks.

The earthquake, which measured 7.1 on the Richter Scale, resulted in few injuries or fatalities.

However, Asian telecommunications companies are reporting extensive damage to undersea cables.

Internet connections, phone links, and dedicated business lines have all been affected. Trading on currency exchanges has also been hit.

Taiwanese connections have been especially disrupted. The country’s biggest telco, Chunghwa Telecom Co, has said it’s lost 98% of communication with Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong.

China Telecommunications Group said that connections from China to Europe and the USA, had also been adversely disrupted.

There are also reports that some communications with Japan has also been affected.

Repairs may take as long as three weeks, with internet connections especially expected to be slow until existing damage can be repaired.