The Computer Guy at the 'Heads

Locals and visitors to Shoalhaven Heads are experiencing major problems with their Bigpond Wireless service connections. Here’s the symptoms: Good wireless signal strength but slow / very erratic internet speeds. Many customers are complaining that the service drops out after a few minutes of use and is basically unusable.

Like many regional areas of Australia, broadband coverage and service levels can vary considerably depending on the time of year (and especially this time of year here with the large numbers of tourists and visitors expecting the same level of internet service they are accustomed to at home). However, it seems this year is particularly bad.

One possible explanation is that some Bigpond ADSL (delivered via phone lines) customers lost service for days (and weeks at a time in some cases) late last year. As a consequence, many were advised to purchase a wireless Bigpond device in the interim – I have been told that Bigpond reimbursed some customers due to complaints), so if we add this to the rapid rise in wireless broadband users nationwide it isn’t surprising that the Telstra network struggles to maintain a decent service in some areas. Shoalhaven Heads residents have been told that a new Telstra tower is due to be built here soon but whether that means the wireless broadband service will be improved as well is unknown.

So, for now – I’m sorry but I don’t have a solution for you if you are one of the unfortunate people with this problem other than to complain to Telstra / Bigpond. The more complaints they receive the more likely they are to do something about it !

Andy