Cranbourne businesswoman Janelle Rhodes is losing $1000 a week after being told by Telstra her new house could not be connected to ADSL internet.
By Glen Atwell
JANELLE Rhodes’ burgeoning online business is bleeding $1000 a week after she was denied access to an ADSL broadband network when her family recently settled in Cranbourne.
The Rhodes family moved into a Brookland Greens estate home last Sunday, but were soon told by Telstra that no ADSL ports were available at the local telephone exchange.
A Telstra spokesman has advised Janelle to consider connecting to a wireless broadband connection instead.
Janelle, founder of Blissful Kids Parties, said her booming online-only business was in jeopardy.
“With no broadband internet access, I’m losing about $1000 a week, and don’t know how I’ll survive the next month,” she said.
“We lived in Brookland Greens four years ago and had no trouble accessing a broadband connection. We’ve moved back and it could be a year before a port becomes available at the exchange,” Janelle said.
“The population has boomed, but the internet services have remained as inadequate as ever.”
Blissful Kids Parties was taking more than $2000 a week in orders, in what was an almost full-time job for the mother of two.
In a desperate attempt to stay on top of site maintenance and orders, Janelle is frantically booking internet sessions at the Cranbourne Library.
“Access at the library allows me to keep my head above water, but I can’t update listings on the site,” she said.
“It’s an absolute disaster.
“We’ve got dial-up connected at home, but it’s too slow to do anything.”
Janelle was offered a wireless internet connection product, but at a much higher price.
“It’s much more expensive, and I have to sign up for 24 months. I was paying half the price for double the monthly data allowance,” she said.
“I don’t want to enter into a wireless contract. I should have access to ADSL.”
Telstra spokesperson Richard Butler said the Rudd Government’s proposed Fibre to the Node (FTTN) project would ease the strain on crowded ADSL networks.
‘The government has released its tender for the project, which will ensure that issues including distance from the exchange, and capacity will be fully addressed,” he said.
“The cost of upgrading exchanges is high, and it is unlikely that major investment will be made until the outcome of the FTTN tender is known,” Mr Butler said.
“Wireless broadband is also almost universally available, and prices for that technology have been in steep decline for some time, making it a very useful alternative to wired connections,” Mr Butler said.
Telstra also pointed the finger at its competitors.
“Residents should also ask why the exchange isn’t occupied by a Telstra competitor. Telstra competitors are able to install technology into exchanges, and provide their own ADSL services,” Mr Butler said.
“There is nothing preventing companies such as Optus and Vodafone, or other providers, from doing that.”
The City of Casey and Telstra are inviting residents to attend a meeting on 30 June at the Fountain Gate Hotel to discuss broadband unavailability in the area.
For more information, or to reserve a seat, call Angela Butera on 9293 1233.
