Dr. Aaron Lerner of IMRA called me this morning, because he’s having trouble getting information out and wanted to be certain any technical problems weren’t at our end (they aren’t, at least as far as I can tell). They are, apparently, having serious connectivity issues in Israel right now.
The probable cause, he said, is that most international connections go through Haifa — and Haifa tech employees are either not working or working remotely. When something goes wrong it takes longer to fix.
He gave me some heartening news at the same time: it seems Bezeq is installing free phones in shelters. One of the ISPs is even providing free high-speed Internet. He said the “smiley” one, but since I don’t see Israel ads I don’t know whom. Could someone update us?
Ah, wow. It all makes sense now.
Bezeq is also putting in free Internet – see http://www.bezeq.co.il/Cultures/he-IL/Bezeq/about/News_bezeq/NewsBezeq2006/July-sept+2006/170706.htm
The very heavy internet usage as people check the news every few minutes is creating a very heavy load on the ISP’s.
Dr Lerner deserves much credit for allowing us to find out ASAP on a variety of issues-IDF responses, casualties, Israeli government, poll results and the continuing anti Semitic Arab media. You really don’t have a good grasp on what is happening in EY or other venues affecting Israeli affairs without reading at least some of IMRA’s releases.