TelEm Group technicians will begin the first phase of transfer of business and residential telephone lines in the Philipsburg area today (Thursday August 4th).
The technicians are targeting completion of 1000 lines from TelEm Group’s legacy DMS 100 digital switch to a more modern software-based CS2K Softswitch as the first phase of operation.
Philipsburg is the last area scheduled for the line transfers and will be carried out in three phases during the month of August.
Close to 4500 lines have been transferred from DMS100 digital switches in the Dawn Beach, Ebenezer, Belvedere, Simpson Bay and Cole Bay areas to date before beginning the transfers in Philipsburg, where more businesses and offices are located.
CS2K Cutover project manager and Supervisor Switching Networks, Mr. Kenneth Blijden says the experience gained from the previous cutover operations will greatly assist in carrying out the Philipsburg transfers with the least impact possible.
"During the cutover interruptions will be intermittent," said Mr. Blijden.
He said as with previous operations, the cutover is being carried out during the day so that technicians can have better contact with businesses and property owners while the premises are open rather than at night when persons are not available to confirm connections are being properly made.
"We are all looking forward to bringing the cutover to a successful end and we want to take this opportunity to thank the public for their continued patience and understanding as we continue to enhance and improve our telecommunication network," said Mr. Blijden.
As a result of the cutover and to ensure numbers are reconnected immediately after the cutover, TelEm Group technicians will not be carrying out any repairs or new installations in the immediate area of the cutover until the cutover operation is completed.
Once the cutover is complete, TelEm Group will be able to install, troubleshoot and repair damaged telephone connections more quickly and also will be able to offer new telecommunication services to customers.