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Telecommunications Milestones (1982 - 2007)
1996
A national fiber optic transmission
system was constructed to enable the expansion of telephone services throughout
Palau.
An OC3 SONET fiber optic submarine cable approximately
113 miles long connects local networks throughout the island. A submarine fiber optic cable ring was installed around
Babeldaob and a fiber optic link to Peleliu was laid.
The
fiber optic cable size ranges from 6 to 24 strands.
The ring design provides redundancy, so that if the cable is cut in one area,
services can still be provided through the other side of the fiber ring.
1996-97
Central
office digital switching equipment and support facilities were completed, including
a new headquarters building in Airai to secure the new equipment. Two Lucent 5ESS CDX-2000 digital switches, a domestic
and an international gateway, were installed at the new PNCC headquarters and national
communications hub in Airai. The domestic switch serves a remote switching module
in the Koror exchange. The gateway switch is connected to the satellite earth
station in Meyuns via underground and submarine fiber facilities. Both domestic and international facilities have SS7
capabilities.
411
Directory Assistance service was introduced.
1997
A basic package of enhanced switch
services for local access lines was offered: Call Waiting, Call Forward, Speed Call,
3-way Call.
1998
The
upgrade and expansion of the local telephone distribution systems was completed.
A buried telephone distribution system replaced the
deteriorating aerial system in the heavily populated states of Koror and Airai.
PNCC also constructed a “first-time” buried distribution
plant on other islands using both fiber and copper cabling. The buried design protects the phone lines and helps
prevent weather-related service outages.
Voice
Mail and Caller ID (name) services were introduced.
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