Telecom's response to Seacliff broadband complaint in Blueskin News

'Right of reply' from Telecom

Approximately 94% of residents and businesses in Otago have access to broadband over their telephone line (DSL broadband). Of those customers who can receive broadband over their telephone line, 33% had taken up the service as at end June 2007.

Broadband is available today to all New Zealanders via a combination of DSL (copper line), Xtra wireless and satellite technologies. Approximately 93% of New Zealanders are covered by DSL through their landline, 2% by wireless and the remaining 5% by satellite broadband.

Broadband - challenges of extending coverage

The main factor that limits the availability of broadband is distance from the exchange, or roadside cabinet, from where the broadband is supplied. This is the same for networks all over the world.

Telecom is continually upgrading and installing more broadband equipment in its network. Our investment plans for Otago for the 2006-2007 financial year included $3.6 million for projects to boost broadband services in urban and rural areas throughout the region. This work included installing new fibre optic cabinets in the Karitane, Warrington, Waihola, Enfield and Shag Point areas.

The few customers in Otago without broadband coverage are generally either: served by an exchange or cabinet with broadband, but beyond transmission range; served by an exchange or cabinet without broadband; or served by a multi-access radio system or country set (rural radio) which is incompatible with broadband technology.

Extending DSL coverage can be very costly and generally involves installing broadband equipment (eg a DSLAM) into an exchange and installing new cabinets and laying fibre optic cable to the cabinet.

The economics for this investment can be challenging and are driven by various factors including: level of customer demand, population growth, subdivision development, and technological upgrades to improve quality of service. Other technologies such as wireless or satellite may also be able to provide broadband service more economically to certain areas.

Seacliff does not currently have DSL broadband coverage and would require substantial investment to provide coverage for about 40 customers in the area. Telecom does not currently have plans to undertake this work, but we're always happy to talk with community groups about broadband coverage and have worked in partnership with local groups to extend broadband coverage in some areas.

by Brett Jackson
Telecom

ENDS

© Scoop Media