Codetel announced it will invest more than RD$400 million to repair the damages caused by Hurricane Georges in the DR. These damages are estimated at more than RD$600 million. The company will also continue with its plan to install the larger part of the Dominican telephone system underground. Following the passing of Hurricane David in 1979 and major damages then to the telephone system, Codetel initiated a program to install underground systems. As a result most of Santo Domingo, or 85% nationwide, retained telephone service even during the most critical hours of the hurricane. Carlos Espinal, president of the company, said that the company’s insurance will only account for 50% of the damages. Company sources said that the systems in the East suffered primarily because city hall officials did not allow the installing of underground telephone systems in their community.
