Watchdog to talk to Telecom about delay over broadband

By PAUL BRISLEN

The Commerce Commission will talk to Telecom about a technical glitch that is holding up its wholesale broadband regime.

Spokeswoman Jackie Maitland says the commission will meet Telecom staff today about the delay. Telecom said on Wednesday that it would be unable to offer the wholesale "unbundled bitstream service" as expected this month.

A software glitch within the equipment used on Telecom's network meant the service would not be introduced for at least five weeks and possibly up to three months.

Other reports say the problem could last for six months.

Telecom has an interim solution that offers internet providers somewhat less control over the connection with the end user while it works on the issue.

Telecom's internet provider customers are less than thrilled at the delay but are keen to launch the interim service as soon as possible.

Telecom's full UBS service allows the providers more control over the traffic to and from the end users and runs on layer 2 of the network stack.

The interim solution from Telecom runs on layer 3 and means Telecom will control the quality of the service rather than the internet providers.

Ihug general manager Guy Nelson said the company had been working with Telecom for some time over the UBS service but was not impressed with the results.

"We've been bending over backwards to work with Telecom to make this service a success. However, to date they simply haven't provided us with key information on how the service will be provisioned."

Nelson said he would not be surprised if there were more delays but Ihug would go ahead with an offering based on the interim solution.

Auckland-based Orcon was first to announce its proposed UBS product and managing director Seeby Woodhouse said the company still wanted the original service.

"I'm happy that Telecom's offering an interim solution but we do need layer 2 switching."

Meanwhile, the commission will begin tracking the number of broadband users for the first time.

Telecom has promised the Government it will reach the 250,000 broadband residential user target by the end of next year.

The commission is monitoring its progress with a series of quarterly reports.

The first is due out in November, looking at the July to September period.

Switching off

Telecom's wholesale plan gives control to the internet provider.

Software glitch means service won't launch this month.

It may take up to six months to fix the problem.

The interim solution doesn't give providers full control over the connection.

The Commerce Commission is seeking an explanation about the delay.

The wholesale service regulated by the commission will be introduced this month.