Friday, December 18, 2009 10:15 a.m.

MILFORD — A cut fiber optic cable near Newburgh, N.Y. is causing communication problems for people across much of the region.

According to Pike County Communications Director Bernie Swartwood, the cut is affecting people who get long distance service through Verizon. Swartwood said that local calls within the Verizon system seem to be working presently, but local calls between people who have different phone companies are not going through. For example, someone in Milford who uses Verizon might have difficulty calling someone in Milford who uses Blue Ridge Cable.

Swartwood also pointed out that Pike County’s 911 system is operational, and that there is absolutely no time line on when repairs might be completed, though he believes crews are working in Newburgh to expedite a solution.

Not surprisingly, calls to Verizon media representatives did not go through as of this morning.

Fiber Optic Cut Causing Communication Difficulties | The Pike County Press