Loss of services cripples area
Loss of internet, ATM , cell phone, long distance phone services crippled the area for a long period of time during business hours Tuesday.
Business in Orofino limped along most of the day Tuesday after a major cut in an underground fiber optic cable occurred in Ahsahka where construction was underway to install a large sign.
The problem developed around 10 Tuesday morning and left the area without internet services, cell phone services, long distance phone service and ATM services until approximately 4:45 p.m.
Persons could not make purchases with credit or debit cards at some businesses as it was not possible for clerks to check balances without the internet set-up.
Sunset Mart was able to pump gas and use credit/debit cards as according to a clerk who said, “We’re on satellite” and added “but our ATM machine is shut down.”
The entire ATM network was not functional. Some financial establishments closed early Tuesday due to loss of services and at other financial establishments clerks did manual processing throughout the day.