Hi guys,
Its been a while since I posted here, although Im sure many of you havent missed me. Anyway, today Im frustrated, annoyed and well, Ive just had enough!
No doubt by now the majority of you have heard of this 'wonderful development' out here at Springfield Lakes. Youve probably seen the billboards and tv advertisements suggesting a 'new lifestyle' and all this 'joyous community spirit'. The lake, the lifestyle, the people and all the wonderous offerings Springfield Lakes offers you.
Well let me tell you this...
Ive now been living in Springfield Lakes for almost 2 years. In that time, we have made repeated attempts at having broadband connected here at home. Originally when we moved in I had dial up, then upon investigation we were told firstly by our internet service provider that broadband wasnt available. We then tried by calling Telstra directly and they also informed us that broadband internet wasnt available in this area.
I found this quite confusing and upon asking "why not?" the answer was simply - "the technology isnt in place out there". Telstra has told us that the one of the neighbouring exchanges actually services this area. The GOODNA exchange. Has anyone actually driven past this exchange and taken a look at it? It must be 60 years old. Its run down, and its a joke. Here we have a multi million dollar development that is obtaining awards left right and centre and yet broadband internet isnt available because the exchange that services this area is unable to provide needed services. There is something within the vicinity of 15,000 people out here stuck on dial up.
Telstra basically said that the exchange is at full capacity and unless someone actually physically 'unplugs' one of the existing broadband connections (which is probably a house in camira or gailes) then its just unlikely to happen. They did suggest gathering a 'petition' to support the upgrade of the exchange. It would take 50 families in the area to support this. Can you believe this????? I have been making requests every few months over the last year and a half hoping things have changed but they have not.
So here I am, self employed, running a business from home using the only alternative to broadband that they offer - ISDN. This is a 64K connection two channel shared with the home phone. Before this I had to disconnect the internet to call clients and then get back online. And guess what type of work I do - WEB DEVELOPMENT!!!!
<insert screaming here>
Do you have any idea of just how unprofessional it seems when you tell a client you have dial up internet and that you do web design for a living????
Anyway...(im not finished yet)
On top of the whole broadband thing - it seems we have another issue out here.
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE
Im not kidding you. The coverage out here is pathetic. Infact there is none. That is unless you stand out the front of your house in the middle of the road waving your phone in circles above your head for 5 minutes. Then if youre lucky - you might get one bar.
Before being self employed I was working for Qld Gov and had to be on call. Well, that had to be scrapped because even with the new 3G service phones or whatever they are - that didnt work either.
I simply CANNOT believe just how bad things are in this area. For those considering moving here - BE WARNED.
It has made the local newspapers and still nothing has been done.
Its PATHETIC AND DOWNRIGHT BLOODY ANNOYING!!!
</rant>
RJ
Its been a while since I posted here, although Im sure many of you havent missed me. Anyway, today Im frustrated, annoyed and well, Ive just had enough!
No doubt by now the majority of you have heard of this 'wonderful development' out here at Springfield Lakes. Youve probably seen the billboards and tv advertisements suggesting a 'new lifestyle' and all this 'joyous community spirit'. The lake, the lifestyle, the people and all the wonderous offerings Springfield Lakes offers you.
Well let me tell you this...
Ive now been living in Springfield Lakes for almost 2 years. In that time, we have made repeated attempts at having broadband connected here at home. Originally when we moved in I had dial up, then upon investigation we were told firstly by our internet service provider that broadband wasnt available. We then tried by calling Telstra directly and they also informed us that broadband internet wasnt available in this area.
I found this quite confusing and upon asking "why not?" the answer was simply - "the technology isnt in place out there". Telstra has told us that the one of the neighbouring exchanges actually services this area. The GOODNA exchange. Has anyone actually driven past this exchange and taken a look at it? It must be 60 years old. Its run down, and its a joke. Here we have a multi million dollar development that is obtaining awards left right and centre and yet broadband internet isnt available because the exchange that services this area is unable to provide needed services. There is something within the vicinity of 15,000 people out here stuck on dial up.
Telstra basically said that the exchange is at full capacity and unless someone actually physically 'unplugs' one of the existing broadband connections (which is probably a house in camira or gailes) then its just unlikely to happen. They did suggest gathering a 'petition' to support the upgrade of the exchange. It would take 50 families in the area to support this. Can you believe this????? I have been making requests every few months over the last year and a half hoping things have changed but they have not.
So here I am, self employed, running a business from home using the only alternative to broadband that they offer - ISDN. This is a 64K connection two channel shared with the home phone. Before this I had to disconnect the internet to call clients and then get back online. And guess what type of work I do - WEB DEVELOPMENT!!!!
<insert screaming here>
Do you have any idea of just how unprofessional it seems when you tell a client you have dial up internet and that you do web design for a living????
Anyway...(im not finished yet)
On top of the whole broadband thing - it seems we have another issue out here.
MOBILE PHONE COVERAGE
Im not kidding you. The coverage out here is pathetic. Infact there is none. That is unless you stand out the front of your house in the middle of the road waving your phone in circles above your head for 5 minutes. Then if youre lucky - you might get one bar.
Before being self employed I was working for Qld Gov and had to be on call. Well, that had to be scrapped because even with the new 3G service phones or whatever they are - that didnt work either.
I simply CANNOT believe just how bad things are in this area. For those considering moving here - BE WARNED.
It has made the local newspapers and still nothing has been done.
Its PATHETIC AND DOWNRIGHT BLOODY ANNOYING!!!
</rant>
RJ