Telstra brings DIY to broadband installation

The professional installation of a single port modem for an 18-month contract has risen from AU$189 to AU$249, an increase of over 30 percent. The price for a 12-month contract has risen by AU$50.

-I'm not surprised normal installation is going up in cost," telecommunications analyst Paul Budde told ZDNet Australia. -It [self-installation] is a global push."

By installing the modem themselves new customers pay an installation fee of just AU$129 for an 18-month connection, almost half the cost of professional installation and AU$60 less than the old price.

-It gives the younger market, who can probably install it themselves, an excellent opportunity to move up to broadband," said Budde. -I was very impressed when I saw the first model. It is simple, and uses locally developed software from Sydney. I found it very easy to use."

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Pay $129 for a do it yourself ...Anonymous -- 03/07/02

Pay $129 for a do it yourself job?
What is it that Telstra provides for that$129?
Do I have to start paying my plumber when I change the tap washers myself?
Can some one please explain.

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I think the charges are still ...Greg Shore -- 04/07/02

I think the charges are still a joke. I can get an electrician to work for 3 hours for the same as the self installation charge.

A medical surgeon charges the same rate (as the Telecom technician) to remove an appendix, and he's dealing with your life!

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If they (Telstra) wanted to ge ...Anonymous -- 04/07/02

If they (Telstra) wanted to get younger people to install their new modems, then they should leave the installation price as-is and LOWER the price for the DIY install. Otherwise all they are doing is leaving it how it is now, and punishing those who quite possibly can't install their own.

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How about cable installs? A sh ...DAvid Readman -- 04/07/02

How about cable installs? A shovel, a length of cable and a "dig here" map?
Since cable requires a technician, I suspect people trying to get this (slightly) cheaper service will pay significantly more for installation. Can anyone see why broadband take-up continues to be slow?

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Telstra? Telstra is a circus f ...Anonymous -- 05/07/02

Telstra? Telstra is a circus full of clowns cashing on people instead of promoting uptake of broadband. What's the whole point of charging so much for self-installation????? Even if the fee is for set-up fee, it still doesn't warrant to charge so much and how much does it cost to set up for a subscriber??? Hello!!!... listen to the young people...promote uptake NOT cashing in!!!!!

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If they want uptake of broadba ...Craig Bailey -- 05/07/02

If they want uptake of broadband and subscriptions to themselves rather than another ISP, then the modems should be subsidised, with maybe a $20 setup fee - for example.
They've got the customer tied to a contract with damn expensive rates as it is... and they want more?
Check the prices consumers are paying in Europe or the USA... dialup?... the people I've spoken to think that's a joke, yet in "the lucky country" unless we have squillions to spend on broadband rates then dialup's all we have.
I for one will NOT be taking advantage of the robbery - they can keep their hands well and truly out of my pocket.
Another ISP for me - Telstra's track record isn't that great anyway eh?

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Telstra's Broadband policy is ...Mark Cracknell -- 05/07/02

Telstra's Broadband policy is a joke, and this is just the icing on the cake. I was a happy broadband customer until the start of this year, now i've terminated my contract due to the fact that the basic plan only allows 300mb a month which is less than 10mb a day! - how can you surf the diverse broadband content that Telstra loves boasting about on that. Let's have the web, but we will only give you enough download to get HTML webpages - BUT IT'S FASTER!

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DIY dial-up - only $40! That's ...James Bishop -- 06/07/02

DIY dial-up - only $40! That's the cost of an internal 56K modem. Take it home, stick it in (its easier than most think), get an unlimited plan and dial in once (or twice) a day. Add it up and it works out to three months of access for same price as the Telstra installation fee - no limitations - all costs included.

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As far as I'm concerned, there ...Anonymous -- 14/07/02

As far as I'm concerned, there should be no FEE for a DIY instalation. Especially now you can buy pre approved DSL modems way cheaper then what telstra offers.

ALso, DSL is high speed, and the capped limits and high prices make it a luxary only the highest rich people can afford.

DSL is aimed at these people, not the general public, and so DSL will continue to suck, until it completly replaces dial-up and price drop by at least 50%.

I still use dial-up becuase DSL is priced too high for my income. I'm not going ask my boss for a wage rise just so I can get faster internet.

My final say, I hope telstra does get sold off, and then maybe we can see a difference in our communications industry, by giving FULL 100% comprtition. At the moment telstra still controls over 90% of our communication industry, and this is to plaim for HIGH prices and LOW service.

Bye
You comments are welcome and ignored... LOL

The USA and 20 other countries have the highest speed DSL, CABLE & SAT internet for less then 50% whats telstra offers Australian residents. So why does the AUST. GOV. and teh ACCC allow this, because they are money hungry shits like telstra too.

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Yes, it is all a joke. $129 fo ...Anonymous -- 22/07/02

Yes, it is all a joke. $129 for a do it yourself installation is quite rediculous. The "Cable" to your house (if you are using broadband cable) still has to be installed, and that installation cost has not changed. Quite frankly, Telstra should give you the Modem, charge for the cable connection (as they do for connecting a new telephone service) and then leave the rest up to you. The software to do this is extremely simple, and anyone can do it. After 18mths, you get to keep the modem anyway. Yes, Telstra are money hungry turds that we would sometimes like to do without. Yes there are cheaper options. Find the one that suits your financial budget, and be happy that you do have choices, which I'm sure there are more to come.

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All it takes is a few of your ...Anonymous -- 04/08/02

All it takes is a few of your local computer nerds, some old austar dishes and about $8000.00 to provide 20-30 people in in your area with line of sight to the local radio broadcast point, and bingo you all have SAT. conections....
SCREW telsta and optis...DO IT.

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That is nothing the main probl ...Anonymous -- 18/08/02

That is nothing the main problem that we have to worry about is if we are able to get it in the first place. On the same kind of thing (beibg ripped off) look at your bank statement (commonwealth, Westpac, ANZ, etc, etc) & you will find that unless you have over $20000 worth of business with the bank that you are paying an extra $5 per month for the privelidge of having your money in their bank earning 0.02% intrest.

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Teslsta takes the cake in the ...Anonymous -- 18/09/04

Teslsta takes the cake in the worse phone company ever. Not only don't they respect their customers, but they really rub it in by finding any type of charges for anything. I believe they should lift their performance before increasing their prices not that it would ever happen but hey we can dream right. This country and infact most countries are so F**king full of themselfs that they think their invincible. This whole world stinks of corruption. Basically if you have a Sh*t load of money, then you can get away with anything.

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Telstra sucks Anonymous -- 11/12/08

I have used Telstra several times in the past for phone and broadband. They are ONLY about money, customer service is a joke. The customer service reps will tell you what you want to hear, they patronize the customer, so you will get off the phone. It isn't the reps fault they are trained to do it. Generally there is no answer to the problem, but you are on a contract so tough luck.

Paying for self install is typical.

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Another Anti Telstra rant..boring!! Anonymous -- 11/12/08 (in reply to #320118658)

Go to whingepool with all the other whingers!!

OR better still go to BOPTUS & to get an idea of how a really crappy telecomms works loser!!

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omg! I know! joe -- 11/12/08 (in reply to #320118660)

I signed up with KaPlotaBoptus! They send me a modem! then expect me to plug in the wall! and then I'm meant to log into it and type in my username and password! I mean are they serious, plugging in my own modem! I agree with you anonymous, absolutely shocking....

though the point is moot as this is a 4+ yr old article... >.<

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