Optus, Telstra, & The ACCC
I’m not sure if anyone remembers, but a while ago I sent off an email to Optus querying their policy to not provide broadband service to Townhouses or units in Australia. I heard a deal had been struck with Telstra to leave units alone. I had also heard that while Optus wouldn’t connect broadband, it would connect cable TV which is precisely the same thing.
Of course Optus denied any deal, but it turns out they won’t connect either service to units now because it’s not profitable (which is strangely in conflict with the spirit of the Australian Communications Authority’s Universal Service Obligation, and with the fact that Telstra will), but if you are lucky enough to have cable TV in your units, you will also be able to get broadband access. No help to me, but may be to some of you.
Bruce also received a reply from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) following his complaint about Telstra’s AUP 3GB cap:
The TIO has reviewed the current contract for this plan and formed the view that Telstra’s action has so far been in accordance with its terms and conditions (specifically Clauses 10.3 and 10.4). Telstra has provided customers with adequate notification of the changes, and is allowing customers unhappy with the changes to leave the contract without financial penalty.
Given this, the TIO will not be pursuing complaints about this matter with Telstra; however, all individual complaints are being recorded.
So that’s that. The end result is that while thousands of people have complained, nothing can or will be done. Telstra will railroad their users again, and those of us who have no choice can only stay with Telstra or go back to modem access.
Meanwhile Optus have put out newspaper advertisements criticising Telstra and confirming they won’t be introducing a similar cap. All of which is cold comfort to those of us stuck with Telstra.
As an interesting aside, I received a shady email (full of typos) from a Telstra user claiming:
“telstra said they are bringing a meter out and when you go over 100 meg you will be chargerd 35 cents per meg also further digging arround i have found there aer accc members getting free adsl anther kknock backs and even futher then that they are all in bed with one another so use aint gion to get help that way.”
It’s actually not the first time I have heard the rumour, and I have contacted the ACCC for an official response. The implications of a consumer watchdog being any way influenced by and the beneficiary of a major corporation are, to put it mildly, serious.
posted by monty · at 6:28 am · filed under Site News