Fast exist from slow net

Frustrated internet users are stepping up their fight against Telecom's slow broadband speed in Pt Chevalier.

A community group is surveying residents and inviting other providers to tender for a contract covering multiple homes and businesses.

"Once we gain momentum and publicity then Telecom might take notice," Pt Chevalier Business in Service of the Community member Henry Chellow says.

The group is a non-charitable organisation which incorporates around 26 businesses.

Its concerns about internet speeds were revealed by the Auckland City Harbour News earlier this year.

In July Telecom representatives told a group of about 100 people that improvements would be made by December.

There has been no change since then.

Last month Telecom announced a national drive to speed up broadband services in all areas with a population of at least 500.

Telecom spokesman Mark Watt says the firm is committed to dealing with the Pt Chevalier problem and the area will be included when the new plan is implemented.

But he couldn't say when that would be.

Pt Chevalier Business in Service of the Community members say that's not good enough.

Last month it formed the Pt Chevalier Ignite Charitable Trust to raise publicity about the situation and assess the extent of residents frustrations.

An online survey has also been launched and questionnaires were dropped to around 2500 households this week.

Once the group analyses the feedback it will attempt to negotiate a bulk contract and has already received at least six submissions from suppliers offering a faster service.

"It's on our terms now," group member Malcolm Fraser says.

"We're looking to the community to find out what they want and our findings will be the basis for how we select the service provider," he says.

"We aren't ruling out Telecom, but they will have to compete with the others for the tender."

Pt Chevalier has a slower internet speed than other Auckland areas because of historical and technical factors, such as where the exchange is and the length of the copper loop used to provide the service.

Results of the community group's findings will be released later this month.

- © Fairfax NZ News