BBC braced for return to 'pre-digital' age as technology fails, MACs available for backup

Major phone and computer problems could cause havoc to BBC's breakfast
programmes

John Plunkett

guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 25 November 2009 18.58 GMT

The BBC has been hit by a major technological breakdown affecting its
phone and computer networks that could cause chaos for the corporation's
news output and leave it marooned in a "pre-digital age".

Serious technical issues have caused problems across the corporation
today. One BBC insider described the situation as "absolutely chaotic" and
said there had been "major phone and computing problems over the past 72
hours or so".

[...]

In an email seen by MediaGuardian.co.uk, one BBC News editor told staff:
"Don't assume you'll have a normal start to the day. Either the network is
in a happy state, or you're walking into a pre-digital world.

"In a best-case scenario we will lose all outside connectivity - ie agency
feeds, lines, internet access etc.

[...]

The email said there would be "two Macs" in the BBC's Television Centre
newsroom in west London that had webmail and internet access via wi-fi in
case the computer system went down overnight.

[...]