Bigpond and the V8s?

[mjt57]

Just reading the press release for the Eastern Creek race at the end of the season and how Big Pond is sponsoring it. The following paragraph's subtle (not) irony is something to behold:

'“Not only has it complemented the Network 10 coverage of the series, it has made it possible for fans in regional and remote areas, where the TV coverage is unavailable, to follow the races live
on-line,” Mr Milne said.'

Correct me if I'm wrong but this online service is only available to broadband customers. And guess who cannot get access to broadband, or rather, affordable broadband?

Yep, that's right, most people living in regional and remote areas......

Telstra execs must really love twisting the knife when it's in.....

[Conrod Kieron]

Alhough not as competitive as metro area ADSL (which is to be expected), Bigpond have 1 way satellite for around $76/month with 1gb and up to 400k + you get a govt rebate of up to 50% on the installation.
By comparison, BP ADSL is $79/month with 2gb @ 512k and a min install cost of $189 for BYO modem and self install.

So Telstra do offer it

The V8 stuff is not counted in your D/L allowance neither.

[worried]

Have you actually tried using their satellite connection - especially to view the V8 stuff? Not exactly fast (even a 56k modem connection alongside was quicker during the QLD 300.

[mjt57]

Bigpond's basic satallite service costs around $60 or so for 250 megs at "up to" 64kbps. You use dialup for the upstream connection. Excess megs cost 26 cents/meg.

The fastest service costs around $92 for up to 400 kbps service (not guaranteed) with 3 gigs of data.

I had a satellite service about 3 years ago. It was not fast at all. browsing on straight dialup was quicker.

Therefore, my comment regarding Bigpond's claim about remote and regional users accessing the V8 stuff stands. Proper broadband for regional and remote users where ADSL is unavailable is not affordable.

And don't even consider 2 way sat. At around $250 a month it's astronomical in cost.

I wish that I could say the stuff that these Telstra execs say with a straight face. It'd make me a fortune, I reckon.

[monaroCountry]

'“Not only has it complemented the Network 10 coverage of the series, it has made it possible for fans in regional and remote areas, where the TV coverage is unavailable, to follow the races live
on-line,” Mr Milne said.'

the point is whether telstra provides the service, not whether its affordable. If they provide it then that statement would be correct, in this case it is.

BTW i hate telstra too