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@*elizabeths-mum* wrote:

Telstra still has a monopoly in some areas. We wanted to try Optus 2 years ago which had far better deals at the time and our address is in the Telstra grid so Optus couldn't take us. 

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Yes, there are a lot of areas like that. We had Optus service then they wouldn't take anymore Telstra resale customers and offered any Optus customers to get out of the contracts with no penalty, they were so keen to get rid of them.  I stayed with Optus but the  broadband plans ADSL & landlines were at a  high cost (not as high as Telstra though).

cezm - noted you only live 4km from a city... I don't live far from a city either (ADSL2 there). 

Our exchange was going to be upgraded about six years ago to ADSL2 and it was scrapped also.

Poor service, no ADSL2, high plan costs isn't just happening in a few remote areas.