From: Jill.White@nt.gov.au
Sent: Wednesday, 7 August 2002 1:39 PM
To: ecita.sen@aph.gov.au
Subject: Inquiry into the Australian Telecommunications Network


I would like to submit  a submission to the above inquiry, in relation to
problems providing basic services in rural and remote areas.

On January 26th 1998 the Katherine River flooded the area.  We live
approximately 12 km outside of the town and our house was inundated.  The
telstra connection on the road was also under water.  During the flood the phone
system of course failed.  Soon after the flood when the service was restored the
telstra join (joint) was removed from the pit at the front of our house and hung
on the fence.  It is still there.

The service has an intermittent fault which is worse during the wet weather.
 Our access to the internet is extremely unreliable due to congestion problems.
 The mobile service for Telstra network is practically non existant.  I have had
to walk around the block with my mobile phone trying to find a place where there
is significant bars on the phone to make a call to report that the house phone
has no service.

I believe that the further  sale of telstra would have a severe negative impact
on the service provision in rural remote areas and do not support the theory
that the service "in the bush" is improving.


Jill White
PO Box 134
Katherine   NT  0851