Aussie digger to blame for your slow internet

A major fibre cut in Sydney may affect Flip, Slingshot and Orcon services in New Zealand. Photo /lassedesignen/123RF

Kiwis experiencing slow or a complete breakdown in their internet connections might have an Australian digger driver to blame.

A major fibre cut in Sydney is affecting international internet links to New Zealand and the United States.

Vocus customers - we've had confirmation of a major fibre cut in Sydney earlier today, impacting international connectivity to New Zealand and the USA. Teams are on site working to restore services. Updates available from https://t.co/gxOYk6CLIS

— Vocus (@VocusComm) March 21, 2018

Vocus, which owns Flip, Slingshot and Orcon, reported the cut yesterday about 11am (4pm NZT).

Slingshot and Orcon said a digger had cut through multiple fibre lines in Sydney.

New Zealanders have been posting on the internet service providers' social media accounts about how poor their internet connection has been.

"Was wondering why the internet was going so slow. Thought it was my computer sending it back to dial-up speeds," said one user.

"Good to know I'm not going crazy, thought it all seemed too slow," another said.

Just after 7pm in Australia, Vocus said the fibre team had hauled replacement fibre and splicing would begin soon.

The team expected all circuits to be restored by 6am (NZT).

"Hauling is currently under way with splicing to begin as soon as possible to restore services," the update said.

Customers may be experiencing issues with international traffic due to a fibre cut. Contractors have been notified and...

Posted by Slingshot on Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Customers may be experiencing issues with international traffic due to a fibre cut. Contractors have been notified and...

Posted by Orcon on Tuesday, March 20, 2018

One report estimated repairs would be done by 2am today.