From: steve judd [stevejudd@optushome.com.au]
Sent:
Wednesday, 3 July 2002 12:27 PM
To:
ecita.sen@aph.gov.au
Subject: Limiting
'Broadband'
Importance: High
Under point 9.9 of the Optus acceptable use policy it
reads;
-
Optus may adjust aspects of the service if it is necessary
to do so for the efficient operation of the Optus Network. These actions
may include;
a) delivery of access
and content via proxy servers and
caches
b) network management that
may prioritise certain types of internet traffic over
others
c) the blocking or
filtering of specific internet ports
-
Surely now that Optus has forced its customer
base on to a metered rate billing system we have a right to know the details of
the service we are paying for. Point (a) is of no effect to the end user,
however the specifics of point (b) and (c) would be of great concern to a
consumer who if only using the service for a particular task may find their
usage a low priority, to be filtered or even blocked. When advertising a
plan offering 3GB worth of data, is it not essential to clarify what type of
data ?
Is this not the equivalent of offering 3 litres of beer for
$10, then finding out it only consists of light, or 3Kg of jelly beans for
$10, then finding only black ones ! I could go on
and on, but simply if conditions are attached, they must be
fully clarified. I do not understand how this is not a clear and
simple case of misrepresentation to the consumer. Broadband
connectivity is not being provided across the all channels of the link. At
the very least the rules that govern how data flow is being routed need to be
published.
Obviously
we have the option of changing to another internet service, however due to
previous ignorance and market failings, the Australian ISP market offers very
little (if any in regards to broadband), variation in options, demonstrating
aspects of a monopoly or cartel.
I thankyou
Steve Judd