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July 18, 2012

Cut fiber-optic cable disables communication services for Stephens County

Toni Hopper The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — 7:45 p.m. update

Sheriff Wayne McKinney said he has spoke with AT&T Regional Director Deano Cox regarding the outage in communication services to residents throughout Stephens County, and many businesses.

“It appears the fiber-optic cable that was cut could be along State Highway 7, near the Pumpkin Center area, and not where it originally was believed to have been,” McKinney said about 7:15 this evening. He also said it could be a minimum of four hours before the problem is fixed and it could be longer than that. If people have an emergency, they should call 911, if their phones are working. That call will be re-routed to Comanche County dispatch services, for people in Stephens County and Duncan. Marlow residents are being re-routed to Ardmore.

Cell phones, ATM machines and some computers are affected. There are multiple AT&T towers that are without service.

A large fiber-optic AT&T cable between Marlow and Rush Springs has been cut within the past hour and phone services, computers and even cellphones are being affected by the issue countywide, said Stephens County Sheriff Wayne McKinney.

“All 911 calls for the county and Duncan are being rerouted to Comanche County dispatch service,” McKinney said.

Marlow Police Chief said the 911 calls for Marlow are being rerouted to Carter County dispatch services.

But that isn’t a guarantee that all 911 calls will be able to even be placed. It depends on the landline situation for each residence. If anyone calls 580-255-3131, it’s possible they can reach the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office and county dispatch service.

McKinney and the county’s 911 coordinator Mark Suson are busy with the issue and keeping in contact with AT&T’s 911 coordinator. McKinney also is alerting people to the problem via his Facebook page and through KSWO Channel 7.

The problem is anticipated to be repaired within an hour.

“This is more widespread than just phone services,” he said.

The Banner also received reports that ATM and certain banking services were down.

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