[LINK] PC report on the USO Inquiry is out

[David Boxall]

On 19/06/2017 2:07 PM, Narelle wrote:
> Happy reading!
> 
> http://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/telecommunications/report
> ...

Why is our government trying to kill us? :/ They should be replacing 
existing copper with fibre, then extending the network. Instead, they've 
allowed existing land lines to be neglected and now they want to take 
them out entirely.

MEDIA RELEASE June 22, 2017 Productivity Commission Fails Rural and Remote
ICPA AUST - ISOLATED CHILDREN'S PARENTS' ASSOCIATION·THURSDAY, 22 JUNE 2017

The Isolated Children's Parents Association is extremely disappointed 
that the final Report by the Productivity Commission into the 
Telecommunications USO has failed to address the importance of a fixed 
landline for many residents in rural Australia.

If the report's recommendations are accepted by the Federal Government, 
rural Australians who live in the nbn satellite footprint and rely on a 
fixed landline as their principal means of communication, could be 
forced onto a sub-standard service. A voice service over satellite 
internet could be the only alternative for these families and would be 
severely compromised by poor weather, power outages and latency issues.

ICPA Federal President, Mrs Wendy Hick says, "This report shows little 
consideration for the 90,000 premises across Australia who have no 
access to mobile phone coverage. We cannot let ‘the last 3%’ be 
forgotten and put in the too hard basket."

ICPA State Presidents are also calling for a rethink on this issue. Mrs 
Kim Hughes of Queensland says, "A landline is the most important asset 
for geographically isolated distance education students. This report has 
recommended the abolishment of the USO by 2020, but provided no solution 
for those who would have to rely on a voice service over satellite 
internet, and the impact this would have on educational outcomes. At 
present, Voice over IP (Internet) is not a viable alternative.”

ICPA New South Wales President Mrs Kate Treweeke voiced the concern her 
state has, “ICPA-NSW members live, work and educate their children in 
isolated areas that quite often do not have mobile phone service. 
Satellite VoIP relies on electricity, and satellite internet has data 
capping restrictions that will provide a much less functional service. 
The removal of a USO, which currently stipulates 24hr access to 
landline, would also put these families at greater risk in a life 
threatening situation.”

The Northern Territory, South Australian, Tasmanian and Western 
Australian ICPA councils have also raised concerns for rural and remote 
families in their respective States. Access to a reliable landline, 
especially for those with no mobile phone coverage, is critical for 
safety of life, education, health and business. It is simply not 
acceptable to further isolate the most isolated.

ICPA Australia implores the Federal Government to put the needs of rural 
and remote Australians, particularly students who rely on quality 
telecommunications for their education, at the forefront when 
considering the recommendations of this Report.
ENDS
More Information:
ICPA Federal President - Wendy Hick – 07 4995 3266
ICPA QLD President - Kim Hughes - 0427 377 985
ICPA NSW President - Kate Treweeke – 02 6829 0498
ICPA WA President - Natasha Johns - 08 9176 1747

-- 
David Boxall                    |  Australia's problem isn't fake news,
                                 |  it's fake government.
http://david.boxall.id.au       |                        --Ross Gittins
                                     Sydney Morning Herald 27 March 2017