I signed on to the XT data network, internet connectivity, when it became available and have had nothing but problems with it.  I have no idea how many times I have called and complained, well no, I didn’t complain as I’ve found complaining only results in a bad attitude at the other end of the telephone no matter how courteous the operator tries to be.  So no, each time I patiently explained that for no apparent reason I keep getting disconnected requiring a ctrl alt delete, physically disconnecting the t-stick, and trying again later.  And sooner or later I get connected again. I specifically remember in August 2009, suggested I had a faulty t-stick but no, I was told, that wont be the problem, and with that we went through a mindless protracted trouble-shooting exercise add nauseaum. I called often, certainly not every time the disconnect happened (I would never be of the telephone).  I figured that perhaps Telecom was having ‘teething’ problems and soon all would be well, so I was patient. Sometimes the operator took my telephone number promising to call back.  Didn’t happen. Are you having problems with the network I ask.  No, the invariable answer.

Couple of days ago another call and this time I get to talk to Joyce. She wants to take me through the long-winded interrogation, yet again, as she has been instructed to do. I cut her short.  Look, I say gritting my teeth and trying hard to smile. I ask her if it is possible, even vaguely possible, that the t-stick is faulty. It is possible, she tells me, and suggests I take it into the nearest Telecom store/agent and have it checked, perhaps obtain a loaner. Hallelujah!

Well, the loaner works flawlessly; I have not been disconnected, not even once, since I got the loaner t-stick. I know it’s perhaps premature to say this but it seems that it was a t-stick and/or short usb cable that was the problem.

I am very happy, but I am also very mad, mad with Telecom for the amateurish way they solved, failed to solve, that is, the problem for so long. I’m not faulting the operators, they tried to be nice, and were largely successful, but the tec support gurus, their bosses that is, are seemingly clueless, uninformed, seemingly groping in the dark.

If you are getting disconnected frequently, at least twice per day, get your hardware checked, the t-stick that is. Seems there are faulty units out there.  Perhaps Telecom reported this somewhere at some time.  If so, I missed it. And in retrospect I ask myself why I didn’t ignore the help desk at Telecom and obtain another t-stick as intuition suggested.

Maybe Vodafone is no better, I have no idea. One thing is for sure, if and when a professional operator arrives on the scene offering wireless broadband equal to or better than Telecom I shall be off like a shot.

I know we live in a small country a long way away (and that’s not all bad) but heavens above, is Telecom still culturally a tired and disinterested government department?  Is Doctor (he calls himself doctor) Paul Reynolds just another pompous pom with a colonial attitude who thinks we exist to please him. Yes, harsh words perhaps, but mother of god, why did it take so long?

Headline: Telecom probably have faulty hardware out there.  Be warned.