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Verizon Communications said yesterday it will build a multiroute network across the Pacific Ocean after an earthquake in Asia disrupted service and highlighted the need for a more robust system.
Verizon Business, part of the No 2 US phone carrier, announced this month plans to build an undersea cable with five Asian partners. It will directly link China with the United States and is due for completion by the third quarter of 2008.
The company said yesterday it would use the Trans-Pacific Express cable to launch a "mesh" communications network to ensure uninterrupted voice and internet service in case of a disruption by rerouting traffic on alternate lines.
Verizon will form the mesh by connecting the consortium's cable with existing fibre lines in which it holds a stake.
"This earthquake underscores that it is important, because of the seismic activity, to have multiple diverse routes to which you can seamlessly reroute traffic," Verizon Business spokesman Gil Broyles said.
Phone traffic was back to normal in parts of Asia yesterday, but many operators in North Asia struggled to get up to full speed after Tuesday's quake, and many internet users complained of slow connections.
- REUTERS
