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Two way satellite internet offer
Background
In 2001 and 2002, Telstra made offers to people living in the Extended Zones to provide free installation and provision of two-way satellite Internet service equipment if people accepted an 18--month Internet access contract plan.
Telstra has decided to re-issue this offer to Aboriginal and Islander communities in the Extended Zones, to provide communities greater opportunity to consider and respond to the original Telstra offer.
Telstra is therefore offering free installation and provision of two-way satellite Internet service equipment if your community enters into an 18--month Internet access contract with Telstra. You should read and make sure you understand the Terms and Conditions of Telstra's two-way satellite Internet service offer to Aboriginal and Islander Communities. Please be aware that the Commonwealth will not be your Sponsor for the purposes of that Agreement.
Any queries concerning Telstra's offer should be directed to 1800 680 019 or Telstra's nearest Area General Manager.
What is DCITA offering your community?
If you decide to take up a community Internet service by accepting Telstra's offer and entering into a legally binding agreement with them, and, if you are an Eligible Community (see below), the Department of Communications Information Technology and the Arts (DCITA) is offering to provide your community with computer equipment (being a computer, printer and webcam). You will be required to agree to some terms and conditions relating to the retention and use of the Computer Equipment before it is installed by Telstra. Telstra will install the computer equipment on the Commonwealth's behalf when it installs the two-way satellite Internet service.
Please note: Your community will retain ownership of the computer equipment providing the system remains connected to the Telstra two-way satellite Internet service, or an agreed similar service, for a period of 18--months and you comply with a number of other terms and conditions.
Is your community an eligible community?
Your community is eligible to receive this DCITA offer if it is a remote Indigenous community as identified by the Community Housing and Infrastructure Needs Survey (CHINS), it is located within an Extended Zone, and it has agreed to accept one of Telstra's two-way satellite Internet service plans.
Will there be enough computers for all applicants?
The TAPRIC Program aims to provide all communities wishing to establish a public Internet access facility and utilising Telstra's two-way satellite Internet offer with a computer. Some 200 computers will be made available for this purpose. If the computer offer is oversubscribed however, DCITA will prioritise the offer as follows:
Highest Priority will be given to those communities accepting Telstra Business Satellite Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) offer because lower level plans have less functionality for a public access facility.
Medium Priority will be given to those communities that have accepted higher value Telstra two-way Satellite Internet access plan other than the Telstra Business Satellite ICS Plan.
Lowest Priority will be given to communities already in receipt of equivalent public Internet access facilities or in receipt of other similar funding through initiatives such as Networking the Nation.
Please note: If the computer offer is under subscribed, DCITA will only distribute spare computers to communities that have accepted Telstra's Business Satellite ICS offer. The Business Satellite ICS offer is the only plan that allows additional computers to be networked to the two-way Satellite Internet service.
Can your community cancel its contract with Telstra if DCITA is unable to provide a computer?
Yes. Telstra has agreed to cancel contracts with any community that has been unable to obtain a computer from the DCITA offer and does not wish to obtain access to Telstra's two-way satellite Internet service. DCITA will advise your community whether or not your application for a computer has been successful.
Will your community receive training in the operation of the computer and the Internet?
Telstra will provide initial training of up to one hour on the operation of the computer and accessories during installation of the computer equipment and the two-way satellite Internet service.
To assist your community's understanding of computer operations, DCITA will conduct a number of train-the-trainer sessions at various locations. Your community will be advised where and when this training will take place as soon as arrangements have been finalised. If your community representative/s are unable to attend one of these sessions, DCITA will provide communities with a video or CD Rom on computer operations to assist you.
DCITA is negotiating with a service provider for communities accepting DCITA's offer to have access to a computer support service for a 12--month period. Details on how your community can access this service will be provided when your computer equipment has been installed.
What should your community do if it wants to accept DCITA's offer?
To be eligible for DCITA's offer your community must agree to:
- provide secure facilities to store the computer equipment prior to installation by Telstra. The computing equipment needs to be stored in your community until Telstra commences the rollout of the two-way service in your area;
- provide secure, clean and dust free premises for the installation of the computer equipment. (Please limit the movement of the computer equipment after it has been installed, as frequent movement may lessen the reliability of the equipment);
- ensure the computer remains connected to the Telstra two-way satellite Internet service, or an agreed similar service, for a period of 18--months;
- provide any information reasonably requested by DCITA staff from time to time relating to your usage of the Telstra two-way satellite Internet service;
- make arrangements for the computer equipment to be returned, at the community's cost to the computer manufacturer's service agent, if the equipment needs servicing during the warranty period. DCITA will provide contact details of the supplier's nearest service agent;
- make the computer equipment available for collection and return to DCITA if your community discontinues or defaults on its contract with Telstra, or if Telstra terminates the contract for any other reason, and your community does not connect to an agreed similar service; and
- sign the attached acceptance of the terms and conditions applicable to the DCITA offer and return it to DCITA. An addressed return envelope is enclosed.
When will DCITA's offer close?
DCITA's offer closed on 20 June 2003. For further information please contact the Department on the details listed below.