RCMP say problems with phone lines continuing in N.W.T.

N.W.T. RCMP say they are still getting reports of problems with telephone service two days after Northwestel repaired a damaged fibre line that disrupted service across the North.

Service problems were reported over the weekend and Northwestel said Monday the problems were due to a fibre line in northern B.C. damaged by a landslide, and congestion on the line to which all services were rerouted.

Some customers had trouble using long distance and wireless services, as well as 1-800 calling. At the time, officials advised people in N.W.T. and Yukon to go to their local RCMP detachments if local emergency phone lines were unavailable.

• Landslide in B.C. disrupts phone service across the North

Northwestel said the broken section of the fibre optic line was replaced and service restored Tuesday morning.

However, the N.W.T. RCMP says it has still received reports of problems intermittently, with one reported as recently as early Thursday morning. It says it has worked with Northwestel to resolve the reports.

The RCMP says if people need emergency assistance and are unable to reach their local emergency RCMP line due to phone service disruption, they should physically go to the nearest detachment for help.