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Technical News & Discussion => Broadband, Internet & General Computer News & Discussion => Topic started by: Glenn on Mar 31, 2010, 13:55:25

Title: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Glenn on Mar 31, 2010, 13:55:25
A fire at a BT building in central London is causing widespread landline, internet and mobile network problems, according to reports.

A blaze at Burne House in North Paddington was reported this morning.

According to Gradwell, a business ISP, 437 local exchanges and up to 37,500 Datastream circuits have been affected. It said the fire was having nationwide repercussions on communications.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/03/31/burne_house_burns/
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Steve on Mar 31, 2010, 14:56:35
Thanks Glenn :thumb:
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Glenn on Mar 31, 2010, 15:00:23
http://www.gradwellstatus.com/ has some details
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Rik on Mar 31, 2010, 15:04:20
I understand there's also been a problem affecting the Birmingham area.
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: rgt247 on Mar 31, 2010, 16:22:15
A list of affected area codes here......

http://usertools.plus.net/exchanges/mso.php?id=9481

Includes mine. Internet seams sluggish to me today ? Anyone else ?
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Glenn on Mar 31, 2010, 16:24:47
Thanks Rich, I think. My exchange code is in that list, I'll find out what it is like when I get home.
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Rik on Mar 31, 2010, 16:27:14
I'm not affected, but BT has given an anticipated clear time of midnight - but IDNet think it will take longer than that, based on what happened in Manchester in similar circumstances. :(
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Ray on Mar 31, 2010, 16:28:22
My area code seems to be on that list as well, but I've not noticed any issues.
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Ray on Mar 31, 2010, 16:29:21
Are these fires part of BT's exchange upgrade programme then? :evil:
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Glenn on Mar 31, 2010, 16:31:19
Get the insurance companies to pay  :clever:
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Ray on Mar 31, 2010, 16:31:57
Exactly! ;D
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Rik on Mar 31, 2010, 16:33:51
The BT Mafia strike again. :)
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Rik on Mar 31, 2010, 16:38:20
The story has made it to the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8597399.stm
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Glenn on Mar 31, 2010, 16:42:04
"The flood was caused by an electric fault.

The fault also caused a fire."

Was it not the other way around? From what I read, there was a fire, then the fire service attended and put out the blaze. Would they have used water or some other suppressant?
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Rik on Mar 31, 2010, 16:43:39
That was the way I thought it had to be, Glenn, I've never seen an electrical fault leaking water - unless it was something to do with a cooling system or sprinklers?
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: rgt247 on Mar 31, 2010, 16:48:23
Quote from: Rik on Mar 31, 2010, 16:27:14
I'm not affected, but BT has given an anticipated clear time of midnight - but IDNet think it will take longer than that, based on what happened in Manchester in similar circumstances. :(

Its expected to be fixed 2nd April at midday !

3
Detected   31/03/2010 10:34
Started   31/03/2010 10:15
Anticipated Clear Time:   02/04/2010 12:00
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Rik on Mar 31, 2010, 17:03:47
IDNet were obviously using their crystal ball. ;)
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Noreen on Mar 31, 2010, 17:11:38
My exchange is on the list. It seems a bit slow at times but otherwise OK and I have received phone calls.
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Technical Ben on Mar 31, 2010, 17:13:04
For the first time, being off the map is a benefit to me. I'm not on that system/line so unaffected.
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Rik on Mar 31, 2010, 17:13:42
Quote from: Noreen on Mar 31, 2010, 17:11:38
My exchange is on the list. It seems a bit slow at times but otherwise OK and I have received phone calls.

I suspect the problems may vary, depending on how dependent each exchange is on Paddington, Noreen. It makes you realise, though, that with just 20 nodes for 21CN, the service has become very vulnerable.
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: zappaDPJ on Mar 31, 2010, 17:20:59
Ironically my connection in London is recording its best results ever today  ???

(http://www.speedtest.net/result/767242982.png) (http://www.speedtest.net)
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Rik on Mar 31, 2010, 17:21:54
That's because there's plenty of spare backhaul, Zap. :)
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Bill on Mar 31, 2010, 17:24:09
My exchange out here in Oxon is on one of the RSS lists, but haven't noticed anything untoward.

Yet...  :fingers:
Title: Re: Possible problems in London and the south east
Post by: Rik on Mar 31, 2010, 17:27:02
Let's hope it stays that way, Bill.