#include rant It seems some bright spark at Spark decided to make some changes to the network configuration, without telling customers. I use a Netcomm 3G router for internet access, since we live rurally and don't have any other options for internet connectivity (yet).

Spark made some changes last night/this morning which resulted in me being unable to connect to the XT network with my Netcomm router. Being unaware of these changes I called 120 and was put to some guy who knew less about IT than my wife. About all he could tell me was that since I wasn't using Telecom provided equipment he didn't know how to solve my problem!

While I was talking to the guy I took the SIM card out of the router and thought I would try it in a tablet. Imagine my surprise when I noticed 4 - 5 network configuration changes pushed out by Telecom/Spark in the past couple of days. As I don't see txt messages on my router there is no way I could have known or approved these changes.

Anyway while this Spark CSR was prattling on about non Spark equipment I updated the changes, put the SIM back in the Netcomm router and had 3G again. To be fair the people at Spark have decided to give me a $3.00 credit on my next account for the time I was without internet, but the bigger question is why I had to go through this in the first place.

Telecom/Spark have my email address, cell phone numbers and home phone number so why didn't they bother to let me know in the first place? I had my doubts that the change in name at Spark would improve what was an abysmal service at Telecom, and it seems I am right. And all this wonderful service for only $330 per month.