ABC digital radio cut for hours due to sliced cable

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It wasn't your early-morning brain failing to function this morning: ABC radio really did go silent on Tuesday. 

And Melbourne Airport was hit with multiple delays this morning after an internet connection went down. 

ABC radio went dead after a cable was cut overnight.
ABC radio went dead after a cable was cut overnight.  

ABC signals went silent on digital channels for several hours across Australia after two internet cables were severed, knocking out primary and backup systems. Analogue radios could still pick up the morning broadcasts.  

"Due to circumstances beyond the control of the ABC, a major telecommunications carrier responsible for the carriage of ABC Digital Radio experienced a significant outage across its network this morning," an ABC spokesman said. 

"This not only affected the primary links, but also disabled all of the redundant systems. As a result ABC Digital Radio DAB+ services in Melbourne were off air this morning for a protracted duration. The telecommunications carrier responsible is currently undertaking a detailed investigation."

"Simultaneously another telecommunication carrier used by the ABC for the carriage streaming radio and television experienced a fibre cut close to the Sydney CBD. This resulted in a significant outage across all ABC's online radio and television services."

Some listeners were particularly angry they had been encouraged to buy digital radios only to find themselves susceptible to outages. 

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Services to all digital stations have been restored. 

ABC spokesman Nick Leys said a fibre cable was cut overnight. 

"All services are now restored except for DAB+ in Melbourne. We are working as quickly as possible to get that restored," he said. 

Melbourne Airport issued a statement on Tuesday confirming network problems between 9.30am and 11am. A spokeswoman said this affected the international terminal, the Virgin terminal and terminal 4. 

The airports website shows widespread delays across all airlines during this period. International flights to Auckland, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong were delayed by about an hour.  

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