Mr Fitzgibbon has launched an online petition for people who are having problems with internet ­service.

He said he would take the data to Telstra CEO David Thodey and appeal to get more ADSL ports installed across the Hunter.

“It’s been an ongoing problem,” he said.

“Telstra refuses to put more ADSL ports in place because they think they will be made redundant by the NBN [National Broadband Network].”

Ashtonfield, Thornton and Maitland are some of the key areas where there are reportedly problems with internet access, Mr Fitzgibbon said.

“I can’t help but feel disappointed at Telstra’s decision not to expand its ports,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for Telstra to show some good faith.

“In some of these areas, the NBN could be another five years away.

“In the 21st century, high-speed broadband is not a luxury.”

OPINION: Petition to highlight internet problems is welcomed

The government announced last month that 2400 premises in East Maitland would soon have NBN access with preliminary work about to begin to deliver the service.

But the move has attracted some criticism from residents of other parts of the Maitland area who said that East Maitland was not the area most in need of service upgrades.

The Mercury has received a wave of responses from people unsatisfied with their internet speeds or unable to connect because there were not enough ADSL ports available nearby.

“I don’t really care what sort of service it is, I just need a connection,” Fiona Cunningham posted on the Mercury website.

“I live in Morpeth and I can’t get a connection at all, regardless of which telecommunications company I talk to. I’d love to be able to have any sort of home internet service.”

To complete the survey visit ww.surveymonkey.com/s/C69YPQT