New Zealand telco Orcon says its sales jumped 70 per cent in the month after it launched an ad campaign fronted by internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom.

Test-driving Telecom's 4G network is similar to ditching a trusty Toyota for an over-performing sports car, writes Hamish Fletcher.

Telecom switched on its 4G mobile internet services overnight in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Liam Dann asks, "Has the Government lost its mojo? It is dealing with the broadband pricing issue the way my 5-year-old removes a Band-Aid - slowly and painfully."

Chorus shares have kept tumbling this morning, falling 10 per cent in early trading.

Telecommunications company Chorus's $95 million payout to investors is being questioned after the company's warning about its financial viability.

Prime Minister John Key is refusing to rule out dramatic intervention such as injecting taxpayer cash into network company Chorus.

Editorial: Only in the most extraordinary of circumstances should any government consider over-ruling the Commerce Commission.

Infrastructure company Chorus has raised the spectre of a "default event" if the Government doesn't intervene in the stoush over a cut to internet prices.

To accept the idea of being under constant observation is to accept imprisonment - ironically by the Land of the Free, writes Chris Barton.

The "grumpiest" telecommunications debate in more than a decade could be all but settled next week.

A "carrot" rather than a stick should be used to encourage people to move to ultra-fast broadband and keeping slower internet prices higher is the wrong way to get them to switch.

Broadband battle Part 1 of a 4 part inquiry Tomorrow: Will intervention transfer wealth from consumers to Chorus? Coming up: How intervention in the copper market affects the ultra-fast broadband scheme

Chorus would get "windfall gains" and have an incentive to "go slow" building the ultra-fast broadband network if the Govt intervenes in the copper internet market, says Vector.

Prime Minister John Key stands by his comments that network company Chorus could "go broke" if a Commerce Commission recommendation to cut internet prices is adopted.

Telecom has raised the amount of mobile internet data offered in its new "4G-ready" plans, but some say users will still chew through monthly allowances.