Local Internet Services Receive Poor Rating

PHUKET: Internet services available in Phuket are perceived as offering very substantial opportunities for growth in terms of quality, according to the weekly Gazette Poll which closed on January 22. From the four available answers to the question, “How would you rate the quality of Internet service in Phuket?”, 41.5% of the internet poll’s 680 participants clicked on “unsatisfactory,” with another 23.5% selecting “very poor.” 21% of those polled considered the service “acceptable,” and 14% said they regarded it as “good.” Voters in the Gazette Polls fall into three categories – Thai Nationals, Local Foreign Residents, and Tourists/Frequent Visitors to Phuket. Among Thais, 64% considered the service of their local ISP as either unsatisfactory or very poor. Among resident foreigners, 78% indicated dissatisfaction with their access. And even tourists, presumably on the basis of their experience with a laptop, business service or internet café, were disenchanted, with 58% of them clicking on “unsatisfactory” or “very poor.” Issues raised in the Gazette Poll change at noon every Friday. The polls appear on both the Phuket Residents’ Page (www.phket.loxinfo.co.th/~gazette) and on the Phuket Gazette Online at thethaiger.com.