From
http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/con...4/s2218642.htm

Telstra says it wants its obligation to provide a telephone service to every
Australian reviewed.

It comes after the company was given permission to turn off the CDMA mobile
phone network in favour of its new NextG service.

The Universal Service Obligation means, in particular, that rural
Australians are guaranteed connection to a fixed line telephone, even in
remote areas.

Telstra Countrywide manager Jeff Booth says the company is questioning
whether its shareholders should pay for everyone to have a telephone.

"There is now the question before the Universal Service Obligation of
providing the first telephone, there's now a question about where that half
billion dollar plus burden a year actually sits" he said.

"Should it sit with the Telstra shareholders, should it sit with Government,
should it sit with industry. Or should the rules be changed?"