Timed local calls

[Ian Johnston]

> From: Bernard Robertson-Dunn <brd@netinfo.com.au>
> To: link@charlotte.anu.edu.au
> Subject: Re: Timed local calls
> Date: Sunday, 30 March 1997 1:47
> 
> At 09:00 PM 28/03/97 +1000, fist@ozemail.com.au (Stewart Fist) wrote:
> 
> >We keep treating telecommunications as if it was a technical problem
> >waiting technical solutions.  It is not -- and it hasn't been since the mid
> >1980s.
> >
> >It is a political and economic problem.

> Selling Telstra to those who already own it is a distortion.
> The reason for this rather philosophical musing is a suggestion that we
> should be careful not to ignore reality and logic when we formulate our
> systems and laws. 

A few other realities:

(a)  a fair slice of our equity in Telstra will find its way into foreign
hands, as will dividends;

(b)  funds from the Telstra sale will fund environmental projects;

(c)  funds from the Telstra sale will be reduce the Commonwealth's budget
deficit financing task over the next couple of financial years ... by $$$
billion;

(d)  private participation in Telstra, a market value placed on Telstra
(publicly listed shares) and so some real pressures to perform.

Sure looks as though Telstra will also help solve some political and economic
problems!


Ian Johnston
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ijohnsto@pcug.org.au
Canberra, Australia's National Capital
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