We just spent a couple of days in sunny Stratford. Not often I can say that - glorious the whole time. My in-laws are over 80 - so I had assumed they were doing things wrong when we talked about their Intenet problems. Now I know something is wrong - but I don't know where to start - I spent pretty much the whole time talking to Woosh, Telecom, the local computer shop and my SIL (she's the most technical among all of us).

I was about ready to give up when I did something different - I listened to the phone. It crackles - sometimes a lot - sometimes less - almost not at all. My SIL spent some time up there in Novemeber. Trouble is she has a hearing problem, and like my in-laws, wouldn't have heard the crackling. So I suspect this is why one problem is the phone cuts off the Internet in a call comes in. Often they can't get onto the internet at all.

There have been problems since before then - it's not new. Apparently Telecom came and tested the lines and said it wasn't them. So another relative who lives in Taranaki and is a telecom tech came and checked the internal wiring and phones. No problem. My SIL bought a new phone and router. All to no effect (except the new router has wireless - good for us and others). I disconnected everything from all ports and heard the same (or similar ) interference on all ports. I also bought a new adapter to plug in in case the old one was faulty. No joy.

So I called Telecom to try and get them to fix the problem - saying we'd pay if needed. It was a long conversation - and seemed to consist entriely of limiting Telecom's responsibility to fix the problem. Now it might be that Woosh is at fault - but in our long talks I was left with the feeling that it's not.

I just want to fix this problem. People in their 80's shouldn't have to deal with it. My SIL and I have both tried and failed. So the question is - how do we proceed from here. I nearly called in Telecom again - but we've paid for them to come one and replaced everything we can think of - and still I couldn't get them to commit to fixing it. The local computer guy would come - but I'm pretty sure the fault is something to do with the telephone lines - so there didn't seem much point.

Sorry this is so long - and possibly in the wrong area - not sure where best to post.

Thanks