[LINK] Datacasting in doubt

[Jan Whitaker]

They're jumping off the Alston Titanic .....
http://www.it.fairfax.com.au/breaking/20000616/A11770-2000Jun16.html

And add this to the reports about no receivers until at least 2nd quarter 
2001 for digsets, looks like the Link members called it right and Alston 
screwed up again. are we surprised? ...not

Uncertain Telstra dumps datacast
                   trials
                   16:45 Friday 16 June 2000
                   By BARRY PARK
                   TELSTRA has withdrawn from upcoming datacasting trials, 
citing
                   "serious questions" about the long-term viability of 
datacasting in
                   Australia.

                   Australia's largest telecommunications carrier said 
today it not be taking
                   part in the July trials and would be considering its 
options for
                   participation in a trial of the service later in the year.

                   "Telstra is disappointed with the outcome of the digital 
TV and
                   Datacasting Bill as it raises serious questions about 
the viability of
                   datacasting," the company said in a statement issued 
late today.

                   "The opportunity to provide new and innovative services 
to Australian
                   consumers may not be realised unless changes are made to 
the Bill," it
                   said.

                   Telstra said the significant outlay needed to support 
the datacasting trial
                   needed to be assessed "due to the high level of 
restriction and
                   uncertainty for datacasters contained in the Bill".

                   "In addition to this, uncertainty surrounding the 
federal government's
                   timing and process for allocation of the spectrum 
licence for datacasting
                   is also a key factor in whether participation in the 
trial is viable."

                   Last week, print and online publisher John Fairfax 
Holdings announced
                   it had suspended its datacasting trial, citing 
"substantial deficiencies" in
                   the federal government's digital television legislation.

                   Making the announcement, Fairfax said it would assess 
whether to
                   proceed with datacasting trials in Canberra, scheduled 
for October and
                   November this year, depending on subsequent legislative 
and policy
                   developments.

                   Fairfax chief executive officer Fred Hilmer said this 
week the
                   datacasting bill "will not permit us to proceed with a 
viable datacasting
                   service on a commercially sustainable basis".

                   Telstra also announced last week its $67.5 million 
online content deal
                   with national media group ABC had fallen through after 
negotiations
                   broke down.

                   Fairfax is the publisher of IT Breaking News.