Tough talking as net users rebel

By Michael Foreman

Despite a mounting rebellion among internet users, Telecom says it will enforce its 2c-a-minute charge to residential customers refusing to use 0867 internet access numbers.

As Telecom's deadline for the switch to 0867 passed yesterday, spokesman Glen Sowry claimed that prefix-code access was active at 84 internet service providers - representing about 85 per cent of residential net traffic.

In about 10 cases where Telecom had been unable to provide the service, the providers and their users had been granted an exemption from the charge until Telecom could provide the 0867 access.

Some net users have complained on the news groups nz.comp and ihug.general of technical problems when they switched to 0867 access, including sudden disconnections and lengthy log-on delays.

Other users say they will refuse to pay the charge.

Auckland net user Matthew Poole said he had deliberately run up 30 minutes more than the 10 hours worth of direct connection allowed.

"When they bill me I'll take them [Telecom] to the Disputes Tribunal. I don't think I'm the only one.

"If other people do the same it might make Telecom change their minds."

Andrew Dorrington, also based in Auckland, said he used the internet on average for 10 hours a day - but he would not use the 0867 access service.

"I felt it was an unfair move on Telecom's part."

Mr Sowry said he could not follow the logic of anyone not using the 0867 service when it was being provided free.

He said Telecom "had made it very clear" that it would charge clients not using the number.