TelstraClear is still trying to restore internet access for a number of Auckland customers this morning as technicians struggle to access the company's own gear. Some Clear.net and Paradise subscribers have now been without broadband since the outage first hit at 4am yesterday.

Spokesman Chris Mirams says the outage first hit customers of TelstraClear’s DSL-based ISPs, Clear.net and Paradise, at 4am yesterday.

Internet and IP services were affected, meaning customers with VoIP solutions could not - and in some cases still can't - make phone calls.

The problem was traced to a service issue, which was quickly patched, only to recur again at 9am.

Mr Mirams says most services were restored around 10am.

But a number of Auckland customers were affected by crashed D-Slams (the DSL hardware that sits between an exchange and a customer’s line), some of which are still offline.

The D-Slams have to be physically reset on-site, but a number are in apartment buildings and other locations that TelstraClear technicians could not directly access, says Mr Mirams. In some cases, the telco is still trying to arrange access.

TelstraClear is not able to say when all its Auckland customers will be back online, or how many are still affected.

The company says customers who have called about the disruption have been understanding.

But a number who contacted NBR, including Tabs on Travel publisher Tony Dominey, were livid about the ongoing interruption to their business.