Internet services in the bustling districts of Jordan and Tsim Sha Tsui were halted for over six hours on Tuesday, following damage to one of Hong Kong Telecom’s (HKT) optical fiber cables. The disruption also impacted mobile communications and the company’s Now TV services, leaving many residents and businesses in a digital blackout.
HKT took to social media at noon to inform the public about the incident. According to the post, the damage was caused by a third-party project, and emergency repair efforts were immediately underway. However, as of 4 p.m., HKT acknowledged that the repair work was still in progress due to the complex nature of the site environment and engineering challenges.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused and appreciate our customers’ understanding,” HKT stated.
The outage extended its reach beyond just internet and TV services. The customer service hotlines for Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB) and Long Win Bus (LWB) were rendered temporarily unavailable. Normal service resumed after 6 p.m., bringing some relief to affected customers.
As Hong Kong continues to navigate its way through the digital age, such disruptions highlight the critical importance of infrastructure resilience. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the delicate balance that keeps the city’s fast-paced, tech-driven lifestyle running smoothly.
