Telecom confusing public over XT problems - expert

Telecom's XT network remains under close monitoring after further problems.

Some customers in the lower North Island had no service for seven hours last night. Telecom is blaming an unusual pattern of text messaging traffic for the disruption.

Spokesman Mark Watts says customers experiencing residual issues today, like the inability to send text messages, have fixed the problem by resetting their devices.

He says they have done this by removing the battery and sim card momentarily, then putting them back together.

Mr Watts says the network is stable at the moment.

Technology correspondent Jason Winstanley said "an unusual pattern of text messaging traffic" is a strange explanation for the fault.

"I think they're trying to confuse us a little - there was clearly a problem and it wasn't working."

Mr Winstanley says it is possible Telecom does not really know what the problem is either.

- NEWSTALK ZB