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Petition Tag - broadband
1. TaxPayers' Alliance call for end to KCOM monopoly in Hull 
In July this year, telecoms regulator OFCOM ruled that where BT is the only provider of fixed internet access, it must reduce its wholesale costs to other broadband suppliers by 12% below the rate of inflation.
In the 01482 dialling code area, KC (part of the KCOM group) has a monopoly in both fixed line broadband and telecoms. As a result, taxpayers in the Hull area are paying inflated bills because they have no choice in who provides their services.
In 2008, OFCOM ruled that KCOM was not preventing other companies entering the marketplace, and that those companies said it was not in their commercial interest to offer their services to the people in Hull. In the last three years, there have been important changes.
If BT has to reduce its wholesale prices where it has a monopoly, the same should apply to KCOM. This will benefit taxpayers in the Hull area enormously who are currently paying a heavy price for KCOM's monopoly.
2. Support Leelanau County Broadband Intiative
Leelanau County continues to fall behind with regards to to adequate Broadband internet access , due to un-served, and under-served areas. Geographically, Leelanau County has been bypassed by affordable and accessible middle mile infrastructure upon which last-mile services can be built.
As education, emergency management, telecommuting, and commerce are more and more dependent upon adequate internet access, We hereby request your acceptance of the need and necessity, and demonstrate interest and show of support as the elected representatives of the People of Leelanau County.
3. Increase Virgin Broadband Throttling Allowances
As many of you are aware, Virgin Media has some appalling traffic management software installed that reduces our speed by 75% for 5 hours if we go over a set amount between 4PM and 9PM.
In case you don't know what these allowances are this may help you
10Mb - 75% = 2.5Mb after downloading 1.5GB of data
20Mb - 75% = 5Mb after downloading 3.5GB of data
In today's world, these are simply not enough, this is equal to roughly 1 hour of BBC iPlayer in HD, downloading at full speed for 18 minutes at 10Mb or 25 minutes at 20Mb.
Not only that, but if you go over the allowances by even a byte at 20:59:59 then you will be throttled for 5 hours and will regain full speed at 2AM!
4. Keep the NBN owned by the Government
NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) was created to design, build and operate the infrastructure that will enable advanced digital services to be provided to the nation.
On 24 November 2007 Australians voted in a new Labor Federal Government led by Kevin Rudd. As part of the party’s policy platform the new government proposed a national broadband network for all Australians.
The Hon Kevin Rudd MP Prime Minister and the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, announced the formation of the wholesale-only NBN Co on 7 April, 2009 to enable the delivery of superfast broadband to Australian homes and workplaces.
The company is wholly-owned by the Commonwealth represented by two “Shareholder Ministers” – the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and the Minister of Finance and Deregulation.
Michael Quigley was announced as Executive Chairman to the NBN Co Board and Chief Executive Officer on 25 July 2009. Other Board appointments were announced on 6 August.
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy announced on 6 August, 2009 that McKinsey-KPMG had been appointed as Lead Advisor for the National Broadband Network Implementation Study.
The government plans to sell the NBN after 5 years of operation.
5. AT&T DSL Service for Lake Sam Rayburn, TX
If you live on Lake Sam Rayburn and are served by AT&T, you know that DSL service is unfortunately not available.
Your only alternatives are slow dial-up or expensive and restrictive satellite broadband such as Hughes Net and Wild Blue. Other communication providers like Windstream and Consolidated Communications provide service in their service areas on Lake Sam Rayburn but AT&T does not.
6. Build Australia's Broadband Future
Australia is in dire need of a New Broadband infrastructure as the current network is not adequate for home and business use. By not implementing the NBN you are holding back Australian businesses from achieving there best in a worldwide marketplace.
The Labor Government has said The NBN will be Australia’s first national wholesale-only open access, high speed broadband platform. They will use Fibre Optic Cables which will replace the Old existing Copper Telstra Network. Labor has pledged to set up online consultations with GPs, allowing regional patients to see a doctor without leaving their home, while NBN Co chief Mike Quigley revealed last week that the NBN would be capable of internet speeds of up to 1Gbps, 100 times faster than originally believed.
The Coalition has proposed investing in a combination of technologies, including fibre optic, cable and wireless, to bring a minimum speed of 12Mbps to 97% of Australians. $1 billion public grant funding and additional, undisclosed private funding for building a wireless network for rural and regional areas
$1 billion on building a metropolitan wireless network focussed on outer metropolitan areas. Rural and Regional Areas would miss out on Fiber Optic and only be provided with Wireless or Satellite Access.
7. Bigpond Wireless Plan Review Request
In January 2010 Telstra/Bigpond released a set of new wireless plans, however while the top plan received a slight decrease in cost the quota was not increased at all.
The Announcement: http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media/announcements_article.cfm?ObjectID=46342
The Plans: http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/media/wireless-broadband-plans.cfm
Then on March 23 2010 Telstra/Bigpond released a series of bundle options to help their customers save by combining their services and having multiple services with them, however these bundles excluded those users with wireless only connections as they are only available to ADSL/Cable users.
Details: http://www.bigpond.com/internet/plans/bundles/home-bundles-plans/
While many people use wireless broadband as a secondary connection in addition to their ADSL/Cable connection there are quite a few, especially in remote/rural/regional locations, that have wireless as their PRIMARY and ONLY broadband connection due to ADSL/Cable not being available. While satellite is an alternative it is not a viable alternative to wireless due to cost, even less quota and stability of connection.
This petition is a request for Telstra/Bigpond to re-review the plans for Wireless broadband and for Telstra/Bigpond to release a new set of wireless broadband plans that provide sufficient quota at affordable and fair pricing of which is already enjoyed by its ADSL/Cable clients.
As at 19/4/2010 the Wireless plans are;
BigPond Liberty® 400MB $29.95 ($74.87 per GB)
BigPond Liberty® 1GB $39.95 ($39.95 per GB)
BigPond Liberty® 3GB $49.95 ($16.65 per GB)
BigPond Liberty® 6GB $79.95 ($13.32 per GB)
BigPond Liberty® 10GB $119.95 ($11.99 per GB)
As at 19/4/2010 the ADSL2+/Cable plans are;
BigPond Elite ADSL/Cable 2GB $49.95 ($24.98 per GB)
BigPond Elite ADSL/Cable 12GB $69.95 ($5.83 per GB)
BigPond Elite ADSL/Cable 25GB $89.95 ($3.60 per GB)
BigPond Elite ADSL/Cable 50GB $109.95 ($2.20 per GB)
BigPond Elite ADSL/Cable 100GB $129.95 ($1.30 per GB)
BigPond Elite ADSL/Cable 200GB $179.95 ($0.90 per GB)
As can be seen in the above comparison the plan size options between wireless and ADSL/Cable are quite obvious, what is worse however is the price per GB that wireless users are paying in comparison to ADSL/Cable users.
UPDATE: On the 25th July 2010 Telstra released additional new plans for ADSL/Cable
http://go.bigpond.com/broadband/index.jsp
BigPond Turbo 2GB Liberty 2GB 24 months From $9.95
BigPond Elite 2GB Liberty 2GB 24 months From $19.95
BigPond Elite 50GB Liberty 50GB 24 months From $49.95
BigPond Elite 200GB Liberty 200GB 24 months From $69.95
Oh and wireless got;
http://go.bigpond.com/wireless/index.jsp
BigPond Liberty® 400MB plan 400MB 24 months From $9.95
BigPond Liberty® 1GB plan 1GB 24 months From $19.95
BigPond Liberty® 3GB plan 3GB 24 months From $29.95
BigPond Liberty® 6GB plan 6GB 24 months From $59.95
BigPond Liberty® 10GB plan 10GB 24 months From $99.95
Whoopie!
So now lets look at the top plans for each delivery method shall we;
ADSL has 200GB at $69.95 so that is a tiny 35c per GB.
Wireless has 10GB now for $99.95 so that is still a massive $9.95 per GB.
This is NOT a request for like for like plans, as in this is not a request for the wireless plans to be the same size and cost as ADSL/Cable, however they do drastically need to be made fairer and sufficient for today’s internet user needs.
The internet provides a rich environment of various types of media, online entertainment and social networking of which many enjoy on a daily basis, however many wireless users have to continually manage and scrutinise the way in which they use the internet each month to remain within their allocated monthly quota. This will include the websites they visit, the online entertainment sites they use and any files they may want or need to download, including software and operating system updates. While shaping is provided and no excess charges are applied if a wireless user goes over quota, the shaping speed makes the use of the internet painfully slow.
While in comparison ADSL/Cable users can enjoy the internet at full speed all the time with much larger quota allowances at much more affordable prices.
8. Faster Broadband Speeds for Robroyston
Many residents have contacted me regarding the slow speed of broadband in the neighbourhood. In many cases speeds that are being paid for are not being delivered as advertised. I am looking to gather as much support as possible to enable me to make a strong case to broadband providers about improving the service.
I understand that, at present, the slow speed is due to the distance of peoples’ homes to the telephone exchange. If you wish to join my campaign then please sign the petition below.
9. TalkTalk: Introduce ability to track Broadband usage
I am recently into a 2nd 18-month contract with TalktTalk, and have never received any email communications about broadband usage.
However, I received the below warning/threat on September 10, 2009. TalkTalk allege that I exceeded their monthly 40GB allowance during August 2009.
Having spoken to their Customer Support team today (Sept. 11 '09), they admitted that it remains impossible for users to actually check the status of their broadband usage online. And the person I spoke with admitted they could not say when such a facility may appear online.
Holding customers financially to account over something they cannot ever themselves check/manage is patently unfair, and - arguably - illegal. This must be resolved forthwith.
"Dear Mr Lennon
At TalkTalk we want you to make the most of your broadband. That's why we give you a large 40GB download limit every month - enough to download either 55 feature-length movies or 900 albums every month. For most customers that's more than enough, but we've noticed that your usage in August has been 75.70 GB.
From the next calendar month - under our fair usage policy - if you go over the 40GB limit a £5 charge will be added to that month's bill."
Currently Qwest provides high speed internet to the residents of South Elk Creek Rd. between US Hwy 285 at Shaffers Crossing and the address of 14492 S. Elk Creek Rd., which is between Grey Eagle Ranch Rd. and S. Elk Creek Acres Rd. From that point on, there is no service until the area known as Sphinx Park.
11. Support New Zealand Telecom Technicians
Since the early 1990's New Zealand Telecommunications Technicians have had their employment conditions progressively undermined to the point that they are now being made redundant and effectively required to "buy their jobs".
New Zealand is reliant on these skilled individuals to service our Telephone and Broadband network. They must be treated fairly and provided with a stable work environment so NZ can prosper.
12. Why QLD is the best location for the new National Broadband Network Headquarters - NBN
The Australian Federal Government will be establishing a new National Broadband Network Corporation and seeking a location for the headquarters.
It is the purpose of this petition to make the case to the Australian Federal Government that the state of Queensland should be the chosen region for this new national service.
We have the knowledge-base, expertise, public, academic and industry support and would be a great choice for our economic and technical growth.
13. True broadband Internet at Freemen's
The University of Leicester provides poor internet to Freemen's residents.
14. Bring Fibre-Optic Broadband To All of The UK
It seems that while most, if not all of the Southern UK has fibre-optics for their broadband, giving them 24mb+ broadband, the North, especially Cumbria and the surrounding area is still running an ADSL connections, and also rarely, ADSL2+.
For the sake of the consumer, if fibre-optics were available, the market would be more competitive, bringing prices down over the board, but giving the users choices of faster broadband.
15. Telstra Broadband in the Hills
Mundaring is only 36km east of Perth.
Yet Telstra have stated that broadband through the phone line is unavailable to areas of Mundaring and surrounding suburbs.
Our only other choice from Dial-up is Wireless, which is very expensive.
Telstra need the government to provide a subsidy to get this issue resolved. Let's prove to them that we are worth it!!!
16. Stop the AOL sale of AOLUK
Heres the News for anyone that hasn't seen it. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6039740.stm
AOL are Selling its AOLUK to the Carphone Warehouse. A company with download limits, problems and bad publicity. Neither Staff or Members were informed that AOL was up for sale. People on Carphone Warehouse's other broadband "Talk Talk" are having major problems with signing on or even getting broadband yet are still being charged. Is this for AOL Members?, I think not.
Well we have till December the 31st to convince AOL to keep AOLuk, or sell to a more Suitable company which can provide the Services we have become a custom to.
17. Stop BT Removing Radio Broadband from N.Ireland
Update: August 18, 2006
This petition is now closed. BT are attempting to improve my system by changing my method of communication to cabled, the proposals seem good, thanks to all that signed this.
August 4, 2006
In 2003 BT secured a contract to supply Broadband to 100% of homes in Northern Ireland.
Now in 2006 when they have "completed this objective" they are downgrading all customers on Radio Broadband to Satellite broadband which gives a fraction of the benefits and even the chief executive of BT Wholesale Paul Reynolds admits :
"It is not true broadband, but it will give much faster internet access to many people who could otherwise be denied".
BT has spent part of a £10 Million European Grant putting in place Radio transmitters for radio broadband and this service is now to be axed, BT must not be allowed to get away with this.
BT are charging £27 pm for this "service", which in actual terms will only allow users to Browse the internet nothing more, it will not support any of the associated benefits of Broadband internet, no voice or video calling, no email service, no remote access, and for an IT business it is a death sentence.
After building up my IT business for 12 years, I will have to cease trading due to my inability to provide the services which I was able to provide over Radio Broadband.
The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Investment Mr Pearson said :
"By the end of 2005 every household and every business in Northern Ireland, no matter how remote, will have access to broadband at the same price. Local businesses will have the level playing field they need to compete in a global economy. This vitally important contract will deliver the Government's broadband vision of a fully connected Northern Ireland. In turn it will help make Northern Ireland more competitive,
YEA LOOKS THAT WAY DOESN'T IT.
In my opinion BT are reneging on that contract and have a duty to continue supplying Radio Broadband to Northern Ireland, why should we accept an inferior service that no longer enables us to conduct business, hardly the level playing field as projected in Mr Pearsons statement.
Urgent action is required to reverse this BT decision, they are due to cease the service next week.
18. Telstra should extend ADSL Broadband Services
A lot of telephone exchanges have been enabled for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) Broadband internet throughout Australia. Unfortunately most people on many of the exchanges are still left out because of wiring problems (like using "Pair Gain", a cheap solution for heavy phone traffic).
Telstra refuses to change the wiring or enable the people left out saying it is not worth anything to them or saying it is extremely costly. Telstra Corp. made a huge turnover last year and can more than afford to enable everyone on ADSL.
We are getting rather weary of listening to Telstra's excuses and DEMAND they do something about this problem because as far as we are concerned, we are paying for extremely low grade phone services and paying the same as everyone.
The Australian Government has also washed their hands clean of the problem, saying it is not their responsibility to upgrade these services. This is false as the Government is in charge of all utility services (gas, roads, phone, power) in Australia, thus they should be funding the upgrades.
19. UK Broadband unavailable even though local area is enabled
This petition is intended to gather a second source of information relating to the availability of broadband in broadband enabled areas.
In my experience the figures as quoted by BT with regard to the availability of Broadband in enabled exchange areas is inaccurate.
As of September 2003 BT claim that 97 per cent of population in Broadband enabled areas could receive Broadband services. http://www.btplc.com/Mediacentre/Archivenewsreleases/2003/NR0339.htm
This petition is to clearly state that we want cheaper broadband & adsl plans in Australia, particularly unlimited plans. Australia has large and unfair 'limits' on broadband which most people cannot afford. We are behind in our pricing and development on broadband/adsl. The internet is fastly developing a larger need for adsl users, which most users simply cannot afford!
We need cheaper & more reliable adsl, and we do not need small shaped plans - We have a demand for unlimited. Making this cheaper will also earn Australian Computer Companies more revenue, and our currency higher, with our technology soaring higher. This pertition is to show a small percentage of people, out of the millions, that really do care about this issue.
Related websites to this petition, and website's we'd like you to view, include:
http://www.whirlpool.net.au
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au
http://www.speedguide.net
http://www.broadband.com.au
http://www.pricewatch.com
We demand to have BroadBand in Loddon.
