"Horry" <horacewachope@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:fu7b2q$j4r$1@news.datemas.de...
> On Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:00:17 +0000, Alan Parkington wrote:
>
>> 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,
>
> No.
>
>
>> should it sit with Government,
>
> In other words, the taxpayers.
>
>
>> should it sit with industry.
>
> Which would cause the costs to be paid for by all consumers, rather
> than just the ones actually receiving remote services.
>
>
>> Or should the rules be changed?"
>
> As a starting point, the costs should be passed on to remote-area person
> who wants the telephone service.

Taking that to its next logical step, should a metro customer have their
line rent calculated according to their distance from the exchange? Why
should those living next door to the exchange subsidise those on 3km of
copper?

--
Kwyj.