1997 Malichka Telecom crash

On January 18th, 1997, Malichka Telecom, the incumbent telco provider in Malichka, upgraded the software of their entire long-distance call system. However an error in the programming code left 8.59 million phone calls going unanswered. A mechanical glitch meant if one switchboard system would fail, a message would be sent to other switchboards about the problem.

On the contrary these switchboards also started to fail. This led to a chain reaction that infected all 30 call centers, turning the entire network off for 11 hours. The crash led to 8.59 million phone calls going unanswered, as well as 20 thousand airline and hotel reservations being cancelled. The crash cost Malichka Telecom MH$15,000,000 in repairs.