Damage to a subsea cable has rendered Shetland’s communications nearly inoperable.
The police declared a serious emergency when an undersea cable connecting the islands to the mainland was severed.
The police department reported that phones, the internet, and laptops were inoperable and that officers were conducting patrols to reassure people.
Another cable between Shetland and Faroe is undergoing repairs after being broken last week.
Alastair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, told that he had discussed the problem with the UK government, but that it might be days before communications are restored.
He stated that resolving the issue was the top priority, but that in the future, resilience would also need to be considered.
Reports indicate that numerous establishments are unable to accept card payments, affecting homes and businesses across the isles.
Highlands and Islands Airports informed that Sumburgh Airport was “functioning normally,” but advised customers to call Loganair for additional information.
A spokeswoman for BT Group stated, “Due to a rupture in a third-party subsea cable connecting Shetland to the Scottish mainland, some phone, broadband, and mobile services are impacted.”
“Engineers are working to reroute services via alternate routes as soon as feasible, and we’ll offer updates as they become available. Our external subsea provider is likewise working to restore their connection as soon as possible.
“Anyone who has to call 999 should use either their landline or their cell phone, even if they have no signal from their mobile carrier. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.”
The emergency services have been forced to establish interim backup plans.
Police Scotland stated that it was collaborating with partners such as the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and HM Coastguard to provide the island with enhanced emergency support.
In the interim, police personnel will be more visible on the island, according to Ch Insp Jane Mackenzie’s comments.
She stated, “We are currently working to determine the entire scope of the problem; we know that certain telephone lines are operational, 999 lines are believed to be operational, and some mobile networks are still operational.”
Therefore, everyone should be able to dial 999 from a mobile phone. In the event of an emergency, please dial 999 from a landline or a mobile phone first.
“If that doesn’t work, you should either wave down a non-blue-lighted emergency vehicle or report the situation at a police station, hospital, fire station, or ambulance station.”
Two cable issues are ‘unusual’
Ch Insp Mackenzie asked the public not to utilize phone lines for non-emergency calls and to do more frequent checks on elderly or vulnerable individuals whose help bells may not be functioning properly.
The damaged cable between Faroe and Shetland will be fixed on Saturday, according to Páll Vesturb, head of the infrastructure for Faroese Telecom.
He stated, “The damage affects the majority of Shetland’s telecom services.” Some services are still operational, but we will attempt to establish additional services during the day if possible.
We anticipate that fishing vessels caused the cable damage, but it is quite rare for us to experience two incidents at once.
