FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Isabella Robertson, Communications & Public Affairs
BELL ALIANT TELEPHONE TO CLEAN PHONE AND INTERNET ACCESS LINES
Halifax, NS – March 31, 2008 - Bell Aliant Regional Communications, L.P. ("Bell Aliant"), is preparing to join telephone companies across Canada in a nationwide "cleaning" of all phone and telecom lines this Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008.
"We do this about every 10 years," said a Richard Schvanski, spokesperson for the National Telecom Association. "Over time, dust collects in the lines and this leads to weak connections and static, as well as to broken and slow Internet connectivity."
To clean the lines, Schvanski said, all telephone companies will use air compressors at their central locations in each city to blow a blast of air through phone lines and cable networks. The 10-minute process will cause dust to blow through telephone receivers, fax and answering machines, and both traditional PC and DSL modems in homes and offices throughout Atlantic Canada.
Schvanski explained that most people are being urged to set a newspaper under their telecom device before leaving work Tuesday evening. The cleaning will be done between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. so as to disturb as few people as possible, he said.
In the past, the spokesperson said, some people have put a plastic baggy over their telephone's handset to catch the dust, or wrapped the handset with a cloth to keep dust from getting on their furniture. Cell phones, pagers, and other wireless devices are not affected.
Customers experiencing problems should visit the Aliant Help and Support Page at:
http://productsandservice.aliant.net/PS/languageRegionSelection.jsp?location=help
About Bell Aliant
Bell Aliant (TSX: BA.UN) is one of North America’s largest regional communications providers. Through its operating entities it serves customers in six Canadian provinces with innovative information, communication and technology services including voice, data, Internet, video and value-added business solutions. Through its xwave offices, Bell Aliant also provides IT professional services in Canada and the US. Bell Aliant’s 10,000 employees are committed to deliver the highest quality of customer service, voice and convenience. In Atlantic Canada, communications products and services are delivered to customers through the Aliant brand.
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For more information, please contact:
Isabella Robertson
Communications & Public Affairs
Aliant
