Extract from SMH:
Minister joins call for better bush service
February 19, 2006 - 3:15PM

A federal minister has joined a growing chorus of coalition MPs concerned
about Telstra's rollout of a new mobile network for the bush.
Telstra plans to shut down is CDMA network, which services about 1.3 million
phone users mainly in regional areas, and replace it with a new service
known as 3G.
It says the new system will deliver faster speeds, wider coverage, and
better mobile services and will not be turned on until it can meet or exceed
the quality of the CDMA network.
But officials from the telecommunications giant last week told a Senate
estimates committee that Telstra could not guarantee people would not be out
of pocket from the changeover.
They also said Telstra had not started long-distance testing of the system
and the new phones and other technology people would have to buy were not
yet available.
Small Business Minister Fran Bailey, who represents the regional Victorian
seat of McEwen, said she was concerned not only about the cost but whether
the new system would deliver to the bush.
"We don't just want verbal reassurances - I want my constituents to see how
this system will work and that they aren't going to be disadvantaged in the
initial rollout or by what the system will deliver and cost of that system,"
Ms Bailey said.
Ms Bailey said she had met with Telstra officials, who had promised to
shortly run a workshop with MPs to discuss the new network.
But she said Telstra's regional clients, especially those involved in small
business and tourism, wanted evidence that their coverage would be as good
if not better than the old system.
Victorian Liberal senator Michael Ronaldson said Telstra needed to clarify
what it would provide customers when the new system kicked in.
Senator Ronaldson said that in November last year the telco said in a media
statement it would provide Telstra and Big Pond Wireless Broadband customers
with free upgrades and replacement data cards and modems.
But he said Telstra seemed to be withdrawing from this commitment by not
being able to assure customers they would not be out of pocket.
"These comments are a dramatic departure from the undertakings given last
November," he said.
"Telstra must immediately clarify the situation."
Communications Minister Helen Coonan has announced a task force to monitor
the shutting down of the CDMA system and rollout of 3G.
A spokesman for Telstra said the telco would be doing everything it could to
retain its existing customers and attract new ones.
"Politicians need to realise the market is so competitive we don't want to
lose a single customer and we have to ensure the technology is as good as
what's there or better otherwise we will go backwards," the spokesman said.
He said Telstra would offer special deals when it came to switching off its
CDMA network.
The telco was currently offering $250 in call credits to former Orange CDMA
customers to move over to Telstra.
"You will see the same competitive deals offered when the time comes to move
our customer base, if not before," the spokesman said.
AAP