Phone Network Issues Continue to Impact Portland

Issues that began on Thursday afternoon continue to effect local schools and businesses this morning.

Portland Public Schools Superintendent Will Heath sent a message to parents on Friday morning saying, “Currently PPS phones are not working and our internet is running extremely slow. The issue is not within our system but from our internet provider. This is making it very difficult to communicate to and from the schools. We are able to call within the school and do have radios to all of our buses. This has been an issue since yesterday and made for a very difficult student release yesterday afternoon. I appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through new procedures with new staff and new students. Please know that the safety of our students is our top priority.” The message also provided email contact information for each building in the district.

Some local businesses are still not able to process debit and credit card transactions so you will want to bring some cash if you are making any stops today.

A post from Ionia County Central Dispatch on Thursday said, “ATTENTION PORTLAND AREA...........YOU ARE HAVING ISSUE CALLING 911 FROM YOUR LAND LINE PHONE LINES. IF YOU ARE CALLING FROM 517-647 EXCHANGE TO CAN'T CONTACT IONIA COUNTY CENTRAL DISPATCH. SO IF YOU CALL FROM A CELL PHONE YOU CAN STILL 911 OR 616 527 0400. AT&T IS WORKING ON THE PROBLEM.”

Portland City Hall was also without phone service at 9:30 AM on Saturday. Portland City Manager Tutt Gorman told the Beacon that he was in communication with Superintendent Heath and Ionia Dispatch, but had no additional details to share. He said all were “frustrated” with the situation.

A Verizon Wireless technical support representative told the Beacon that there was a known issue and that there “no estimated time for restoration.” No other details were made available.