Proof's in the ports for ultra-fast broadband

If Telecom New Zealand is to become a partner in the New Zealand Government's ultra-fast broadband project, it will certainly have to raise its game.

I am appalled that some people in Auckland face a two-year wait for broadband because there aren't enough ports in the city centre internet exchanges.

It's not just a problem for residents in new inner-city apartments, but one across much of Auckland.

Alas, it seems Telecom New Zealand owns all the internet ports and rival telcos, and internet service providers are no help, because they are just reselling the products and services of Telecom New Zealand.

Telecom New Zealand says it is doing what it can to install extra ports, but such delays do seem farcical.

How can it ever hope to get a share of the government's NZ$1.5 billion pie when it seems to have it so wrong on basics like this?

However, I do wonder about the people who have complained to the papers about this. One of the people facing a one-year wait for broadband lives in Beach Road, in Auckland's CBD.

Now, I used to live just around the corner from him and I can tell him there are several good cybercafes just a few minutes walk away.

Or why doesn't he also get a Telecom mobile broadband stick or similar modem from Vodafone?

I know that might cost more than fixed line broadband, given its failure on the ports issue, perhaps Telecom can be made to pay the difference!