2tone wrote:
> NZ gets less bang for broadband buck
> 29 May 2006
> By ADRIAN BATHGATE
>
> New Zealand broadband users are paying reasonable prices but getting
> less for their money compared with the rest of the developed world, a
> new study shows.
>
> The study, commissioned by lobby group InternetNZ, rates New Zealand
> 22nd out of 26 countries surveyed, with local plans performing
> reasonably on cost and performance but restrictive data caps limiting
> the effectiveness of high-speed Internet.
>
> However, the study says, if the comparison had been made before the
> recent upgrades to Telecom's JetStream plans, "New Zealand would have
> undoubtedly languished in last place".
>
> Countries were ranked by a combination of speed, price and the amount
> of restrictions to give them an overall value rating. Sweden came out
> on top, followed by the Netherlands and Norway.
>
> A total of 2586 broadband packages from 388 Internet service providers
> over the 26 countries were analysed, with the data taken from prices in
> early May.
>
> InternetNZ executive director Keith Davidson said: "New Zealand's
> position can best be described as not paying much, and not getting much
> for its money."
>
> In terms of overall prices, New Zealand fared well, coming in at sixth.
> Business packages were ranked third and residential 15th on a price
> basis.
>
> Mr Davidson said the report showed New Zealand was out of step by
> having data caps as the norm, and this created a serious constraint on
> Internet use.
>
> New Zealand rated the worst for data caps, with nearly all plans having
> some form of restriction on the amount of data that could be
> downloaded.
>
> "This report gives a clear fail grade to the current offerings," he
> said. "Telecom and the rest of the industry need to give up data caps
> as soon as possible."
>
> The report noted that it was impossible to draw conclusions between the
> regulatory environment and value of uptake of broadband. It noted that
> New Zealand consumers faced "significantly less variety" in the choice
> of broadband plans and providers.
>
> On an average download speed basis, New Zealand was about the midpoint,
> with an average speed of 2.7 megabits per second across all broadband
> plans. But a comparison of upload speeds saw New Zealand fourth last,
> with a low average of 256 kilobits per second.
>
> While download speeds were found to be more important across ISPs'
> promotional material, upload speeds are increasing in importance for
> services such as making voice calls over the Internet.
>
> New Zealand is also believed to fare badly in contention ratios - the
> number of users competing for the same amount of bandwidth - though
> Telecom does not disclose the exact figures.
>
>
> *********************
> *********************
>
> post script .. more great work by InternetNZ
>
> *******************
> *******************
>
It's getti g clearer and clearer that Theresa Gattung making nice noises
at conferences is a front for the same old same old Telecom story.
This company will lie and lie again. Their current main focus seems to
be to suppress online availability of the Telecon spoof advert,
acvcusing the uploadfers of breach of copyright, although some
commentators believe it's actually protected free speech.
It's increasingly obvious that the only reasonable course of action now
if to compulsorily break up the Telecom company and enforce a vigorous
regulatory climate on its successors.
Philip
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