Michael wrote...

> > Getting back to the issue, what is wrong with wanting a data pre-paid pack
> > that expires along the same timespan as the voice calls?
>
> Nothing wrong with it, I'd also like free calls for the rest of my life, but
> unlikely to get it.

This isn't about getting something for free. This is asking why the
pre-paid data packs can't be sold along the same lines as the voice packs
as far as expiration goes.

If you think that this is unreasonable could you explain why?

> So buy a SMALLER data pack, not the largest one possible!

I don't buy either. Because I rarely use the data services I'd be paying
for something that I wouldn't use, except on the odd occasion. This is on
a post paid account, not a pre-paid, mind you.

> Almost everyone will save cash with a data pack

Eh? Since when is paying for something "saving" cash? The savings come
when you don't spend the money at all or use the services, which, as
Telstra is finding out, that most people don't do. Why? Because most
people think that the 3G services are too expensive, or too slow, or
difficult to use on a small screen mobile phone. This is particularly so
when most websites are designed for viewing on desktop/laptop displays.

NextG is great if you're using it for business purposes. But for
home/residential use it's a luxury that most of us can't justify.

Thing is, competitors such as 3 seem to be able to offer cheap data packs.
Why can't Telstra? Why? Because outside of the large metro areas it
effectively has no competition. And hence it will charge what it wants.
Look at the poor bastards in Tassie. Being reamed comprehensively because
Telstra can, and because Optus's parent which bought Basslink can't come
to an agreement to provide data services across the link.