Telecom is investigating putting its Waitotara Valley cables underground.
This would be a long-term solution for the valley as the cables would be less likely to be affected by storms, spokesperson Sarah Berry said.
Putting the existing aerial cables underground would cost Telecom more but would give residents a more protected service.
Telecom expected to finalise its plans before Christmas and if putting the cables underground was found to be the best solution, this would be done in the new year, Ms Berry said.
A contributing factor to why work hadn't been done quicker was South Taranaki District Council had done a lot of road works up the valley, necessitated by the flood. There was no point burying a cable until road works were finished, as crews could inadvertently pull the cable out.
Ms Berry acknowledged the current situation must be frustrating for residents. "We do actually want to improve the service there."
Asked for a response to the view of some residents that their monthly telephone rental should be reduced, Ms Berry said February's flooding wasn't a normal circumstance. The focus of Telecom's network teams was responding to flood and the work it created. "We are working really hard to get back up and running."
Meanwhile, she encouraged residents to call the 120 fault line so contractors could come up and do temporary repairs.
Telecom looks at going underground
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