Hi everyone, I hope this message is not too 'off-topic'. I have been having troubles in getting a reasonably fast internet acces from my home (East of Wanneroo). A 56k modem gave me between 12kbps and 16.8 kbps. I recently installed a Telstra 1-way satellite and a second phone line for dedicated internet access. Trouble is, Telstra can't get this phone line to work at all with a modem, because there is not enough fault-free copper wire in the ground in my area, and they won't put any more in.
Anyway, I have just written a letter to the managing director at Telstra, and I sent a copy by email to my local member, Graham Edwards. Graham immediately contacted the state manager of Telstra about it, and I am waiting for a reply. I also found out from Graham that there is a task force run by The Allen Group looking at broadband access in metropolitan Perth for the state Govt. See below. I attended a meeting last night about this issue, and there are a few horror stories out there - not just in Wanneroo, although we seem pretty extreme. In case some of you don't know about the project the Allen Group is doing, I thought I'd let you know. Although they are focussing on business needs, I am sure they would listens to anyone's problems. Their contact number is below. I reckon telling your local and state MP would also be a good idea. Maybe even telling them that some of the services (at least satellite) are not available to Macs. The Allen Group also has a questionnaire about benefits of and hindrances to broadband access (availability vs cost). I wanted to forward the questionnaire to the group until I read the fine print at the bottom ;-(. Contact them if you want to contribute to their research. Let's start putting some pressure on. Rob -----Original Message----- From: Bob Fawcett [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, 26 February 2003 8:14 AM To: AAAA Bob F Subject: WBA - Forum on Telstra services - questionnaire attached as PDF Set out below is a letter from WBA member Dianne Guise, MLA Wanneroo. The WBA urges you support this forum by attending Re : Regional Internet Forum. Over the past few months a large number of local residents have contacted me in regard to access to high speed Internet services in this region. The current situation is appalling "very few of the residents and businesses in this region have access to high-speed Internet services, and Telstra's plans to expand access in this region are simply not good enough. It is my understanding that of the 11 primary servers in the region, only three are currently enabled for ADSL, and only two more are planned to be upgraded in the next 12 months. In addition to this, many residents within reach of ADSL cannot access this service due to line problems and the presence of outdated sub-servers (Remote Integrated Multiplexers) which do not allow ADSL use. The Gallop Labor Government has announced an investigation into the provision of high-speed Internet services in the Metropolitan region. The Allen Consulting Group, in association with the West Australian Technology and Industry Advisory Council, is conducting this review. I have approached these organisations and arranged for a public forum to be held in Wanneroo to ensure that residents in this region are able to have input into this process. This forum will be held at the offices of the City of Wanneroo, and all are welcome to attend. Regional Internet Forum Date : 5th March 2003. Time : 6pm - 8pm. Venue : Council Chambers, City of Wanneroo. RSVP : Office of Dianne Guise on 9405 1244, or the Allen Consulting Group on 9221 9911. Copies of the agenda and further information will be available from my office, or from the Allen Consulting Group. I hope to see you there. If you need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact my office. Yours sincerely Dianne Guise MLA Member for Wanneroo -- ------------------------------- Dr Rob Phillips, Senior Lecturer, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Room 4.38 Teaching and Learning Centre, Library North Wing Murdoch University, Murdoch, 6150, Perth, AUS Phone: +61 8 9360 6054 Mobile: 0416 065 054 ------------------------------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
