I have had a experience with a authorised Telstra reseller over the last few months that would make your hair curl, and your blood boil. The guy came in and represented himself as being from Telstra to begin with (a lie!) and then proceeded to show us how we could "save money" and get "free mbile phones and car kits" into the bargain.
When we had to pay extra to ditch the contract we were on and yet again to sign up on a new plan, he pointed out it was a one off and that the benefits would show through after the first billing cycle.
This hasn't happened either.
I have exhausted all avanues with the company concerned (they just don't seem to want to take the complaint seriousaly - they promise to return call and then don't, they promise to provide us with a full analysis of the bill, it doesn't happen, they actively withhold certian information - like the fact Telstra are now offering fixed rate plans, only they don't advertise them (WHAT THE HELL IS THAT ABOUT? !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!).
Heigh ho, Heigh ho it's off to the T.I.O.
I am almost ashamed to say I own Telstra (I used to own the privatised Optus until it was brought under Government control again - only now it's the Government of Singapore)
Maybe it's not Telstra's fault. Maybe it's just that with one arm tied behind their backs it's too easy to blame someone else.
All I know is telecommunications in Australia are a basket case. My client lives 20km from a major city and still cannot get braodband (we have just had Hibis install the Sateillte dish at no cost - they're actually pretty efficient).. Right where I live there are still system 20 excahnges that cannot carry data at anyhting like the mandated minimim of 14400 but nothing is done unless the customer complains. (By the way - how is that for a minimum - 14.4kbps - it's a joke right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
If by selling it off there is money to upgrade the systems then I say, BRING IT ON.
Service levels way in excess of the current standard have to be mandated and EVERY PLAYER has to comply, that means competbreastors like Vodafone and Three cannot just cherry pick the market the way they have done. If they offer a service, they should be obliged to offer it to everyone - even if there is a price difference to reflect that.
Telstra should NOT be allowed to own and operate the Infrastruture the worst decision the Government ever made was selling Telstra off as a complete business it has virtually guaranteed that Telstra continues to make monpoly profits that it then just spends on its most profitable markets rather than investing in the community as a whole.
