If you think nine months is a long time to wait to get internet access in your home – try 18 months.
Last week, the Nelson Weekly published a story about a Richmond family who were told it would be nine months before they would have internet access in their new home near Champion Rd.
Now it has been discovered that some residents in The Brook had to wait a lengthy 18 months before their internet was connected.
Jennepher Ellmers, who lives on Brook St, told the Weekly that they built their house over two years ago, but only got the internet about three months ago.
She says it was a problem for most people in upper part of The Brook, near the Brook Valley Motor Camp.
“I was on the phone at least once a month trying to sort it out,” she says.
“Spark was sympathetic and provided us with free dial-up, but even that didn’t work half the time.”
She says they also had a 2degrees USB data stick, which was also temperamental.
“Both me and my husband need the internet for our jobs, so it really impeded our ability to get our work done,” she says.
It also meant they couldn’t Skype their overseas family.
She says that Chorus, who laid the new connections, didn’t give a reason why it took so long.
“We got put on a waiting list, and then got told how long it would be until it would be connected, but it just dragged on and on.”
Jennepher says it’s a relief to finally have the internet, but the area still has limited cellphone reception. She says most residents have had to change providers to 2degrees, as they have the nearest cellphone tower.
