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The Telecom Digest for April 12, 2011
Volume 30 : Issue 94 : "text" Format
====== 29 years of TELECOM Digest -- Founded August 21, 1981 ====== |
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Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:07:36 +1000
From: David Clayton <dcstar@myrealbox.com>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Optus makes customers pay to fix its blackspots
Message-ID: <pan.2011.04.11.06.07.35.149125@myrealbox.com>
Nice trick, if you can get away with it....
http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/optus-makes-customers-pay-to-fix-its-blackspots-20110411-1da6b.html
Optus makes customers pay to fix its blackspots
Asher Moses
April 11, 2011 - 1:54PM
A new Optus product launched today has been panned by analysts who claim
it is a ploy by the telco to force customers to pay for mobile network
upgrades that the telco should be making itself.
Australia's second largest telco launched its 3G Home Zone product today,
designed primarily to boost indoor 3G wireless signals for Optus mobile
customers at home. There is an upfront cost of between $60 and $240 to
install the equipment or a monthly payment of $5 to $15.
The product is based on a new wireless technology called "Femtocell" and
Optus claims it is the first Australian carrier to run a commercial pilot
of the technology. It essentially uses home broadband connections to
create a personal 3G base station for the user.
But analysts believe the real reason behind launching the product is that
the Optus mobile network is struggling and Optus would prefer to make
consumers fork out money to ensure their mobile phones work at home, as
opposed to the telco investing in more mobile towers.
Foad Fadaghi, a telecommunications analyst at Telsyte, said femtocells had
typically been used in the US by poor quality carriers that had not
invested enough in the capacity of their networks.
"While there are benefits for users not able to switch providers, I would
be worried as a consumer if I cannot get mobile reception in my home or
office from a carrier, thus needing to resort to Femtocells," Mr Fadaghi
said.
"The real question is why Optus's network needs these patches to help
people use their mobiles in their homes and offices."
Telstra wasted no time laying into its main rival, saying its fast Next G
network did not require such devices. "Femtocells are a means of
compensating for poor coverage," a spokeswoman said.
In addition to voice and texts, the new Home Zone product lets people
access the 3G data network to use the internet and social networking
sites. But Mr Fadaghi said most homes already had dedicated internet
connections beamed around the house via Wi-Fi networks, so there was not
much of a need to use the 3G data network at home.
Mark Novosel, telecommunications analyst at IDC, agreed with Mr Fadaghi,
saying most users would continue using their home Wi-Fi networks to
"conserve their mobile data for when away from home".
Mr Novosel said the product would only be useful for those who have patchy
Optus coverage at home or in the office, "especially for people in
apartments, which tend to have a lot of solid walls preventing mobile
signals penetrating the building".
Mr Fadaghi said Optus's press release was more spin than substance.
"We are worried that this release tries to position user-pays Femtocells
as an innovation that everyone needs or a way to ditch the home phone.
Further investment by Optus into mobile infrastructure can have the same
desired effect," he said.
Teresa Corbin, chief executive of the Australian Communications Consumer
Action Network, said telcos needed to be upfront from the start about
coverage and the capacity of their networks and the onus should be on
them, not the customer, to cover any costs associated with getting
reception in the customer's home.
She said Optus was making customers cover shortfalls in its network and
encouraged people who feel they have been misled to contact the
Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO).
"When customers buy a product they expect it to work in their home or
business first and foremost ... and really it should be up to the provider
to make sure that they've sold a product that is fit for the purpose," Ms
Corbin said.
Optus said in response to the criticisms that the new technology was
designed to ensure customers received "the best value and experience from
their mobile devices". It said it had invested over $2 billion in its
mobile network over the past five years and built over 600 mobile sites in
2010, with a similar number of mobile sites planned to be built this year.
Meanwhile, telcos continue to be on the nose with Australian regulators
for poor customer service and the head of the Australian Communications
and Media Authority, Chris Chapman, last month foreshadowed a new
regulatory crackdown.
He said complaints to the TIO had reached record levels and the
regulator's patience was running out.
"Faith, hope and 'she'll be right mate - trust us' has only so much
elasticity," Mr Chapman said in a speech to an industry conference.
"What is blindingly obvious is that the market has failed to deliver
around the issue of customer care and protection. We can all argue why
this might be so, but concrete remedial action, buttressed where necessary
with unambiguous regulatory activity, is what seems may now be required."
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:35:05 -0700
From: AES <siegman@stanford.edu>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Re: Optus makes customers pay to fix its blackspots
Message-ID: <siegman-D75455.08350511042011@bmedcfsc-srv02.tufts.ad.tufts.edu>
In article <pan.2011.04.11.06.07.35.149125@myrealbox.com>,
David Clayton <dcstar@myrealbox.com> wrote:
> Nice trick, if you can get away with it....
>
> http://www.theage.com.au/digital-life/mobiles/optus-makes-customers-pay-to-fix-its-blackspots-20110411-1da6b.html
>
>
> A new Optus product launched today has been panned by analysts who claim
> it is a ploy by the telco to force customers to pay for mobile network
> upgrades that the telco should be making itself.
>
> Australia's second largest telco launched its 3G Home Zone product today,
> designed primarily to boost indoor 3G wireless signals for Optus mobile
> customers at home. There is an upfront cost of between $60 and $240 to
> install the equipment or a monthly payment of $5 to $15.
>
> The product is based on a new wireless technology called "Femtocell"
I purchased Verizon's femtocell gadget a year or two ago to obtain
decent cell reception in my home, which is in a small Verizon dead spot
behind a small hill, right on the Stanford University campus, in the
middle of Silicon Valley. Cost about $200, no monthly fee, and has
worked like a charm. I don't really mind paying the initial cost,
especially if it saves the rest of Verizon's customers from having to
pay for building and operating a much more expensive tower just to cover
a few of us in this little natural dead spot. After all, I've found I
also get remarkably good Verizon cellphone coverage as a safety and
convenience feature on hikes and ski tours into remote locations all
around the Lake Tahoe area. I would mind paying a continuing monthly
fee for the femtocell, however.
Date: 11 Apr 2011 18:13:42 -0000
From: "John Levine" <johnl@iecc.com>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Re: Optus makes customers pay to fix its blackspots
Message-ID: <20110411181342.46247.qmail@joyce.lan>
>worked like a charm. I don't really mind paying the initial cost,
>especially if it saves the rest of Verizon's customers from having to
>pay for building and operating a much more expensive tower just to
>cover a few of us in this little natural dead spot.
Verizon Wireless had revenue of $63,000,000,000 and profits of about
$15,000,000,000 in the most recent fiscal year. They advertise
heavily about how reliable their network is, and one hopes they would
invest in sufficient network facilities so that their claims are true.
While it is very generous of you to spend $200 out of your own pocket
to deal with the fact that where you live, their coverage is in fact
lousy, I really think that there are a lot of charities that could
make much better use of your $200.
R's,
John
***** Moderator's Note *****
I think it's perfectly OK for a Verizon Wireless customer to choose to
invest his own money in a femtocell: it's his money, you know? If
Mr. Siegman feels that his corner of the universe should not expect
others to pay extra to serve it, that's his choice to make.
It may well be that those in similar circumstances will make the same
choice: considering the cost to purchase a new phone, setup fees,
early termination fees, etc., paying for a femtocell and pro-rata
Internet connectivity may be a less expensive option.
My 2 cents. YMMV.
Bill Horne
Moderator
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 15:35:40 +1000
From: David Clayton <dcstar@myrealbox.com>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Re: Does FiOS support rotary phones?
Message-ID: <pan.2011.04.11.05.35.40.152944@myrealbox.com>
On Sun, 10 Apr 2011 13:55:20 -0400, Gary wrote:
> "AES" wrote in message
> news:siegman-4A6399.17001304042011@bmedcfsc-srv02.tufts.ad.tufts.edu...
>
>> So, the fiber cables for FTTH could certainly contain a copper pair or
>> two to deliver low-power AC or DC all the way to the premises end.
>> Wouldn't significantly increase the size or flexibility of the cable,
>> I'd guess. Would add noticeably to the cost of the cable, however,
>> along with the cost of spllcing or connectorizing the cables -- and
>> somebody would have to be responsible for supplying the power.
>
> You've missed the main problem with powered copper - water.
......
And fibre doesn't propagate massive spikes from induced lightening strikes
into your equipment the way metal conductors do.
--
Regards, David.
David Clayton
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Knowledge is a measure of how many answers you have, intelligence is a
measure of how many questions you have.
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:39:32 -0700
From: AES <siegman@stanford.edu>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Re: Does FiOS support rotary phones?
Message-ID: <siegman-CA1475.08393211042011@bmedcfsc-srv02.tufts.ad.tufts.edu>
In article <pan.2011.04.11.05.35.40.152944@myrealbox.com>,
David Clayton <dcstar@myrealbox.com> wrote:
> >> So, the fiber cables for FTTH could certainly contain a copper pair or
> >> two to deliver low-power AC or DC all the way to the premises end.
> >> Wouldn't significantly increase the size or flexibility of the cable,
> >> I'd guess. Would add noticeably to the cost of the cable, however,
> >> along with the cost of spllcing or connectorizing the cables -- and
> >> somebody would have to be responsible for supplying the power.
> And fibre doesn't propagate massive spikes from induced lightening strikes
> into your equipment the way metal conductors do.
A valid point. Lightning problems are rare here in the SF Bay Area, but
I understand are a serious issue in many other locations.
Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2011 08:29:54 +1000
From: David Clayton <dcstar@myrealbox.com>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Re: Does FiOS support rotary phones?
Message-ID: <pan.2011.04.11.22.29.51.300337@myrealbox.com>
On Mon, 11 Apr 2011 08:39:32 -0700, AES wrote:
> In article <pan.2011.04.11.05.35.40.152944@myrealbox.com>,
> David Clayton <dcstar@myrealbox.com> wrote:
>
>> >> So, the fiber cables for FTTH could certainly contain a copper pair
>> >> or two to deliver low-power AC or DC all the way to the premises end.
>> >> Wouldn't significantly increase the size or flexibility of the cable,
>> >> I'd guess. Would add noticeably to the cost of the cable, however,
>> >> along with the cost of spllcing or connectorizing the cables -- and
>> >> somebody would have to be responsible for supplying the power.
>
>
>> And fibre doesn't propagate massive spikes from induced lightening
>> strikes into your equipment the way metal conductors do.
>
> A valid point. Lightning problems are rare here in the SF Bay Area, but I
> understand are a serious issue in many other locations.
Most people still don't understand that a lightening strike hitting the
ground in their vicinity can cause a massive spike in their metal phone
lines - which essentially act as massive antennas - which end up affecting
whatever is connected at either end. This can occur many miles away from
people but it can still affect them.
The Telcos have significant line protection to keep these nasties out of
their expensive electronic equipment, how many end-users have similar
protection at their ends?
People still complain about their ISP after storms in their area or
bellyache about their "crap" ADSL modems which - coincidently - seems to
either fail or degrade in performance after these self-same storms.
Ignorance is good business for the manufactures of anything connected to
the copper phone network - this may go away with fibre.
--
Regards, David.
David Clayton
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Knowledge is a measure of how many answers you have, intelligence is a
measure of how many questions you have.
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 07:51:12 -0400
From: T <kd1s.nospam@cox.nospam.net>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Re: Does FiOS support rotary phones?
Message-ID: <MPG.280cb53de67349a9989d28@news.eternal-september.org>
John Stahl said:
> In article <E8.00.22479.DC7A99D4@hrndva-omtalb.mail.rr.com>,
> aljon@stny.rr.com says...
>
>> ***** Moderator's Note *****
>>
>> I suppose it's possible that the cable which came in from the
>> street was, in fact, a fiber-optic cable: the Verizon tech told me
>> it was coaxial, but that might be a misnomer.
[Moderator snip]
> The techie stuff on the site seems to indicate that the supplier of
> "entertainment" services can utilize existing coax drops to the
> premise thus (I guess) saving costs by not having to replace the last
> connection drop. Since Verizon is a group member, it seems logical for
> them to utilize this "standard" to help cut their installed costs.
The way I've seen FiOS implement here is as follows:
Fiber drop to an Alcatel box. The Alcatel box puts out a coppper pair
for phone service and coaxial for television and net service.
Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2011 09:38:18 -0500
From: John Mayson <john@mayson.us>
To: telecomdigestmoderator.remove-this@and-this-too.telecom-digest.org.
Subject: Islamic Mobile Service from SalamFone
Message-ID: <BANLkTim4vPLRA1MgOXGJBLNXKoRr0QszDA@mail.gmail.com>
Interesting...
Salamfone Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Kuwait's Reach Teleecom has launched
the first ever Shariah Compliant mobile service in the world, and it
is now offered in Malaysia. The Mobile Virtual Network Operator(MVNO)
will operate using the Maxis 2G network.
[Moderator snip]
Some of the services on SalamFone:
Infaq-One sen will be donated by Salamfone every time a customer calls another Salamfone customer
Talian Hidayah dedicated Islamic helpline
Islamic Auspicious Days reminder and Bonus
Free Inspiring Religious SMS
Islamic Tunes Nasyid and Islamic RBT
Subscription Islamic Value Added Services
Reload Transfer
More at... http://www.malaysianwireless.com/2011/04/islamic-mobile-service-from-salamfone/
***** Moderator's Note *****
I don't usually run PR notices like this (Sorry, John), but I'm making
an exception because I'm curious what the readers think about this
kind of marketing pitch.
Bill Horne
Moderator
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