Winston Watusi lashes out at Telecom for not being able to provide broadband to his home and Nigel Gregory, electoral agent for MP Tony Ryall, joined in on his behalf requesting an explanation from Telecom.
What I cannot understand is why both individuals have not sought a broadband connection from competing so-called “telcos” – isn’t this what the telecommunication deregulation all about?
Put another way, why hasn’t Winston requested broadband service from, for instance, Telstra-Clear?
I’ll be interested in Winston’s response.
Perry Harlen,  
Mount Maunganui

Limited options
Unfortunately, all "telcos" use the same phone lines - the ones Telecom will "eventually" be upgrading - so, if Telecom can't do it, no one can.
The only option for Tauranga residents caught in this situation appears to be the considerably more expensive satellite broadband service available through Farmside, intended primarily for isolated rural communities.
I maintain that this should not be necessary for people living 10 minutes from the centre of New Zealand's fifth-largest city.  
Winston Watusi,
Weekend Sun columnist