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