Re: Lessons from the AU model

[Mikael Abrahamsson <swmike () swm pp se>]

On Tue, 22 Jan 2008, Mark Newton wrote:

> Power is metered.  Water is metered.  Gas is metered.  Heating
> oil is metered.  Even cable-TV is packaged so that you pay more
> if you want to use more channels...

I know of places in my nick of the world where all those are flat-rate. 
When the usage difference is small enough, metering is not effective.

Typical dorm here includes power, water, (gas is usually not used, but 
most of the places that have gas charge ~ USD15 per month per apartment 
for gas, flatrate), and heating. Basic cable included in rent. I also know 
of quite a few regular apartments that have this model. In my apartment I 
pay for power. Water, heating and basic cable is included in the monthly 
fee.

Some claim that metering is 50% of cost in the telco industry, and I have 
no reason to doubt that. Staying out of metering saves money on all 
levels, less complex equipment, less supportcalls, less hassle with 
billing.

I am also hesitant regarding billing when a person is being DDOS:ed. How 
is that handled in .AU? I can see billing being done on outgoing traffic 
from the customer because they can control that, but what about incoming, 
the customer has only partial control over that.

--
Mikael Abrahamsson    email: swmike () swm pp se