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Yes, that's right, I said *unfortunately* because I'm not talking about the kind of armed conflict that takes human lives and causes misery -- I'm talking about the broadband price war that is benefiting huge numbers of US consumers.

Of course, in the USA they have the benefit of high levels of competition, something sees aggressive pricing and contests for the consumer's dollar.

As if to show the shocking contrast with the DSL marketplace here in New Zealand, I see IDG reporting today that a fist-full of local ISPs are complaining to the Commerce Commission about the way that Telecom's monopoly is driving them to the wall.

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And to prove that this isn't just an issue affecting ISPs alone, the NZ Herald contains a piece showing how (some) end users have been suffering from Telecom's monopolistic practices as well.

Of course we're also paying over the odds for a DSL service that has a paltry 128Kbps uplink, something which significantly compromises the ability to export large amounts of data using the Net and therefore makes it more difficult to run an e-business in NZ.

So poor old Telecom is really copping it in the neck today -- but let's not forget that they're doing it with the default endorsement of government who, despite their repetitively boring sabre-rattling, have still refused to take any action against the encumbent DSL monopolist.

Don't bitch at Telecom, they're only doing what they are legally allowed to and honouring their obligation to return the maximum profit to shareholders.

Bitch instead at a bunch of politicians and bureaucrats who are acting like a bunch of empty vessels.

However, don't fall into the trap of believing that a change of government will fix this problem. We all know that National's ITC shadow minister - Maurice Williamson, acts like he's a real Telecom toadie so things could even get worse if he were put in charge of promoting fair competition in this market sector.

No, I'm sorry folks, but it seems that (for the foreseeable future) we're stuck with a 20th-century DSL service offering actual speeds that are little better than dial-up at some times of the day, and for which we'll continue paying a king's ransom.

Don't bitch at me about it, don't bitch at Telecom -- go bitch to your local MP. Right now, in the lead-up to the election, is about the only time (s)he's likely to be listening.

But hang on a moment -- whatever happened to wireless broadband?

Wasn't it going to step up to the plate and offer real competition to Telecom's dominance?

Wasn't Woosh (and others) going to sweep DSL away and offer us the chance to live without that Telecom umbilical on which virtually every household and business is reliant?

VOIP telephone calls via wireless, low(er) cost hi-speed broadband internet, etc, etc. Where's it all at?

Are you using wireless or DSL and what dictated your choice?

Are you getting "up to" 50 times faster than dial-up speeds from your broadband connection?

Is a 128Kbps upload speed just a joke?

What is the real solution to the lack of DSL competition here in NZ?

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