SMH: Internet and data calls to be timed

[Stewart Fist]

Richard writes:

>Odd... the SMH Web Site listed these as today's business stories,
>completely missing probably the most eye-grabbing and controversial
>of the lot:

It is very, very strange. This was their lead Business Story, together with
a large illustration.

>Here is a paraphrase or two of the article in today's SMH
>without any editorialising on my part (difficult!)
>re:  the Telecommunications Bill being passed on Monday Night.

<SNIP>

>- business DATA calls are now allowed to be charged by the carrier;
>  it is unclear if this includes fax, but definitely includes modem/DATA

It includes data and fax, according to ATUG.


>- city discounts must be passed on to rural subscribers

I don't think this is quite right. What they've done is allowed Telstra to
charge discount local call prices wherever they encounter competition.
However, when the price of nationwide local calls is next set, these
discounts will be 'averaged' and taken into consideration.

I think, in fact, that this will kill competition because Telstra can
always undercut.



Stewart Fist
Technical writer and journalist.
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