One ringy dingy: our one-sided conversation with Ma Bell

The following is a series of e-mails exchanged this afternoon between SooToday.com and Paolo Pasquini at Bell Canada Media Relations.

It was prompted by Pasquini's statement at 2:23 p.m. that today's service disruptions were confined to the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

After receiving angry protests from readers concerned about availability of 911 service in outlying areas, SooToday.com asked the phone company to update its information.

At time of writing (5 p.m.), Ma Bell had yet to correct or explain her statement:

********************** TO: [email protected] 2:38 PM

Service disruption is NOT confined to the City of Sault Ste. Marie.

Townships are contacting me asking for direction that I am not able to provide regarding 911 service.

Please update ASAP.

- David Helwig, news director, SooToday.com

********************* TO: [email protected] 3:51 PM

Dear Paolo:

It has been more than one hour since I contacted you to advise that your information about the extent of this problem was incorrect and needed to be updated.

I am hearing from numerous readers, including civic officials, in surrounding areas who say they are without long-distance or 911 service.

I have heard nothing back from you by way of explanation.

Please be advised that I consider this to be a CIVIC EMERGENCY and that Bell's failure to respond in timely manner may have serious consequences for our community and surrounding area.

- David Helwig, SooToday.com ********************* TO: [email protected] 3:51 PM

David,

Phone services have partially been restored (including 911 and residential long distance) as of 2:38 p.m. this afternoon.

Bell Canada repair crews remain on site and continue to work on re-routing traffic from an alternate line and we expect the re-routing to be completed shortly.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and will take appropriate measures as required.

- Paolo

********************* TO: [email protected] 4:13 PM

Dear Paolo:

This response completely ignores my urgent query as communicated [above.]

I feel that Bell's corporate communications in this emergency situation are grossly negligent and am no longer prepared to hide that fact from our readers.

Please govern yourself accordingly.

- David Helwig, news director, SooToday.com

********************* TO: [email protected] 4:16 PM

Fibre trunk is now up and running, restoring service gradually to communities impacted.

- Regards, Paolo

*********************