Source: CCTV.com

01-15-2007 17:03

Last month's earthquake off Taiwan has cut off phone and Internet access in Southeast Asia for nearly 3 weeks. It is expected the undersea cables will be fixed by Monday.

But experts say it will take another 15 days before network services to get back to normal.

It's been 20 days since the powerful earthquake caused disruptions to the Internet. Chi Haiying still can not log on to American websites normally.

Chi Haiying, who is an overseas returnee said: "These days I can't pay my bills on line. It's getting better but still very slow..."

Five emergency ships are still busy repairing the damaged undersea cables. Experts said that it will take another 15 days to fix the broken points that are three to four thousand meters under water. This means the Internet nightmare continues.

According to a survey by Internet portal Sina.com, 97 percent of Internet users on the Chinese mainland have difficulty accessing overseas websites including Yahoo.com and CNN. At least 5 million MSN subscribers can't get access to the internet. And about 60 percent say their lives and work have been seriously affected.

Graphics:

1. 97% of net users have access problems

2. Millions of MSN users can't log on

3. 60% say their life and work have been affected

Among them are a large number of distraught small e-commerce players. Chen Lei is one of them. Internet disruption has resulted in Chen missing several large online orders.

Chen Lei, managing director of RCL Motorsport said:"We can do nothing but wait. I believe thousands of other e-traders feel the same. It's the first time we have suffered such a crisis with the Internet connection."

And it's hoped it will be the last. This incident serves as reminder for on-line traders to think about Plan B.

One way out for e-traders is to choose some mirrored servers that aren't affected by natural disasters. Setting this up might cost several thousand yuan. But e-commerce still remains attractive,even after the addition of this expense. It will definitely save e-traders a lot of heartache during future emergencies.

 

Editor:Li Yang