Without Internet or telephone: two months after storm Ciaran, many Norman households still live without connection


Alexandre Boero

Clubic news manager

January 8, 2024 at 8:03 a.m.

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electrical wires © muratart / Shutterstock

The chasm of electrical and communication wires © muratart / Shutterstock

Since storm Ciaran on November 3, residents of Saint-Martin-de-Blagny, in Calvados, have been forced to endure a never-ending Internet and telephone outage.

The weeks pass, and yet, many homes in the town of Saint-Martin-de-Blagny, near Bayeux in Calvados, are deprived of the Internet and telephone. Two months after Storm Ciaran, which knocked down many poles and lines, they still have not regained their connection. In their sights, we find the operator Orange, who is slow to carry out the repairs. Clearly, the department is not spared from Internet outages, whether due to the weather or malicious acts.

They have already been without an Internet connection or telephone for two months

The Jouen couple, Christiane and Michel, who agreed to confide in our colleagues at West France, are exasperated and today denounce Orange’s broken promises. They explain that they were forced to resort to the media and the consumer association UFC-Que Choisir to make their distress heard. Mission accomplished, at least in part.

For them, the ordeal lies in the fact that they see the repair times stretching out, especially since a first appointment, scheduled for November 20, 2023, was not honored. After several phone calls and registered letters, they are now waiting for the historic operator’s technicians on January 15, 2024.

In the meantime, the couple is deprived of any landline, Internet and telephone connection. And on the mobile side, it’s not much better, since Christiane and Michel are in the middle of the white zone, where ” cell phone communications are difficult », explains the gentleman.

Orange © sylv1rob1 / Shutterstock.com

Orange is in the sights of residents, but the operator says it is doing everything possible © sylv1rob1 / Shutterstock.com

Orange warned that the repair would take time, given the damage caused

On the side of the mayor of the town, Erick Suret, we say we are powerless in the face of the situation. The councilor points the finger at the Department, the financier, and ensures that it puts pressure on Orange. As an elected official and close to his constituents, Mr. Suret is also concerned about the elderly, particularly those equipped with connected objects which must help them on a daily basis, and who also remain deprived of the Internet.

Orange Normandy’s communications department ended up recognizing that around ten homes were still reported to be out of order on its historic fixed network. According to the operator, the replacement of the broken pole(s) supporting the telephone lines and optical fiber is indeed well planned.

The work, which will take time, will be carried out with the aim of restoring a normal situation as quickly as possible for the affected residents. On site, Orange has provided reinforcement and specific equipment. A mobile solution is also offered to injured parties, while waiting for repairs to be made.

Source : West France



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