[LINK] Communications lobby group fears moving telephone service to SkyMuster for rural users

[David Boxall]

On 2/02/2017 1:31 PM, David Boxall wrote:
> On 2/02/2017 12:01 PM, JanW wrote:
>> ... Who **are** these people?????/
>> ...
> These are people who see the Universal Service Guarantee as a cost,
> rather than a con (John Howard's bribe, to be allowed to privatise the
> infrastructure). The satellites are already paid for. The infrastructure
> will support VoIP (latency is not their problem, nor is reliability).
> The fact that its shortcomings will impede business and social lives,
> not to mention safety, is of no concern as long as they can avoid the
> cost of the USG ($300 million per annum, IIRC).
>
And then this dropped into my inbox:
<http://www.cessnockadvertiser.com.au/story/4438882/dont-take-our-landlines/>
> The PC released a draft report on the matter in December. While it recognised all Australians should have baseline access to broadband, it posited the TUSO was no longer fit for purpose and recommended it be phased our as soon as practical – meaning your landline service may soon be cut off.
>
> Yesterday the Country Women’s Association, the Isolated Children’s Parents Association, farmers, small business owners and exporters told the commission in no uncertain terms landlines mustn’t be ripped from walls until mobile and internet services in the bush improve.
I'd say the copper must remain until it's replaced with fibre. Then the 
fibre must be extended as far as possible.

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