South Canterbury Telecom consumers will be smacked with price rise from June, while those in the main centers are on cheaper landline plans.

Telecom is increasing wiring maintenance and landline fees and stands by its verdict to keep on charging consumers at different rates.

Telecom clients outside Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will shell out $47.25 per month for their landline plans in addition to a $2.99 wiring maintenance charge, an average increase of $1 a month.

Christchurch and Wellington residents will once again be at an advantage than the rest of the nation when they get monthly landline bills of $39.05, almost $9 lesser than regional centers.

Those in South Canterbury on Telecom Anytime plans will also suffer price rise and will be paying roughly $6 extra per month than their counterparts in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Telecom Spokesperson, Emma-Kate Greer said that provincial pricing variations were ordinary across telecommunications suppliers in New Zealand.

She remarked, "This price difference reflects a number of factors associated with bringing certain services to different areas, such as population, infrastructure and competitive activity".

She said that the discretionary wiring and maintenance charge was like an insurance policy for consumers.

It implies that if there is a problem in their internal wiring or sockets outside of their control, they will come and repair it without any fees, she explained.