Dear Editor – Over the past 4 week period, I (now living in United Kingdom but in the past for over 2 years working in the Solomon Islands) have been unable to make telephone calls from UK to numbers in Malaita Province.
Over a similar period, my text messages have not been received, although I have received 2 texts (out of a much larger number sent), also involving Malaita numbers.
During most of the same period, I have been able to communicate with Honiara, although there have been short interruptions to that service also.
I appreciate that short breaks in communication might be inevitable where unlimited resources are not available for immediate repairs, but I think you will agree that a break in service of 4 weeks is excessive whatever the reason might be.
As Editor of the local newspaper, I wonder if it is generally known to you and to the public that this situation exists?
If so, is there any prospect that the Telekom Company will shortly resume the service from UK to Malaita?
It must surely be detrimental to the economic development of Malaita Province that international callers are unable to make contact over such a lengthy period.
I should add perhaps that I have attempted to call from UK using both British Telecom and Vodafone, but neither provider has been able to connect.
Mark Lane
UK