InBox

Q. Stan, Roger and many more readers are located outside the reach of Telecom broadband for varying reasons, most claiming fibre-optic cable to be incompatible with DSL broadband.

A. Fibre-optic cable is no impediment to this technology. The problem is the meeting point of fibre and copper lines in affected areas - the fibre often runs to the street box then via copper lines to your home.

Telecom can implement a Conklin Mini DSLAM, which is compatible with optic cable, within your street cabinet. The issue is cost - making an installation viable requires $600 per month income, which equates to a minimum of 12 users spending $50 each. Rally your neighbourhood, and get each interested party to register with broadband@xtra.co.nz.

Once the $600 threshold is met, the site should be analysed for cabinet space and suitability for fitting such a unit. Many variables exist for each different locality, but the more people you get to register interest, the more viable the site becomes.

This technology costs Telecom a fortune and complicated installations can lift that cost substantially. So while $50 is about $10 more than the average user monthly bill (to cover the modification cost), if you've ever missed bidding on a Trade Me auction because of slow dialup, you'll understand the value.

A solid alternative (especially for mobile users) is Walker Wireless. Though currently available only in the major centres, the company is working to extend that coverage.

Rural users know well the problems of gaining fast internet access - they submit regular complaints of being disadvantaged by the gap in the technology umbrella.

Few corners of New Zealand are totally incapable of broadband now. Current solutions include ADSL and wireless, and Telecom has started to implement two-way satellite options with BayCity.

Though costly, it's not ruled by locality. Rural users should contact broadband@xtra.co.nz for a full appraisal of what is available to them. Alternately, try BayCity at Farmside.co.nz.