Possible problems in London and the south east

Glenn · 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/

Steve · Mar 31, 2010, 14:56:35

Thanks Glenn

Glenn · Mar 31, 2010, 15:00:23

http://www.gradwellstatus.com/ has some details

Rik · Mar 31, 2010, 15:04:20

I understand there's also been a problem affecting the Birmingham area.

rgt247 · 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 ?

Glenn · 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.

Rik · 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.

Ray · Mar 31, 2010, 16:28:22

My area code seems to be on that list as well, but I've not noticed any issues.

Ray · Mar 31, 2010, 16:29:21

Are these fires part of BT's exchange upgrade programme then?

Glenn · Mar 31, 2010, 16:31:19

Get the insurance companies to pay

Ray · Mar 31, 2010, 16:31:57

Exactly!

Rik · Mar 31, 2010, 16:33:51

The BT Mafia strike again.

Rik · Mar 31, 2010, 16:38:20

The story has made it to the BBC:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8597399.stm

Glenn · 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?

Rik · 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?

rgt247 · 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

Rik · Mar 31, 2010, 17:03:47

IDNet were obviously using their crystal ball.

Noreen · 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.

Technical Ben · 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.

Rik · 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.

zappaDPJ · Mar 31, 2010, 17:20:59

Ironically my connection in London is recording its best results ever today

Rik · Mar 31, 2010, 17:21:54

That's because there's plenty of spare backhaul, Zap.

Bill · 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...

Rik · Mar 31, 2010, 17:27:02

Let's hope it stays that way, Bill.