Can any member explain Telstra's policy to me?

We are part of a metro area, but while some of my calls to numbers in my own suburb are billed at a local rate, calls to our CBD area are charged at a national rate.

Called to query this, and could not get an explanation, so asked to be transferred to a supervisor, who told me that it is because we are on a different exchange. Asked to be put forward to someone higher up, and was told they do not take any calls regarding consumer complaints.

Are all Telco's the same? I'm thinking there must be a fairer provider for landline services.

I keep Telstra for emergency and for receiving calls, but I normally make my calls with Skype. A cheap annual subscription allows you unlimited local and STD calls in Australia. Unfortunately it does not include "13" numbers, which are timed and expensive, so you may still want to use Telstra for those.

Thank you Yuyutsu for your information. We were told Skype could only be used if the person on the other end also had Skype. We presume this wasn't correct? So we can use Skype to call any landline or mobile for a small annual fee? Sounds too good to be true. Surely there has to be a catch somewhere.

Oh dear - so far behind the times!

<<We were told Skype could only be used if the person on the other end also had Skype.>>

That's for free. If you pay, you can call any number, but these calls are timed, or you can get an annual subscription. Calling mobiles is not included and is always expensive, but not as Telstra and there is also a package available to buy a monthly block of minutes in advance for less.

Telstra provide a terrific service but they have the most abominable practices one can think of. They don't even have a complaint line, doesn't that tell the whole story ?

I left them, policy and prices drove me away forever.
Cut the home phone, line rental is too high and savings went a long way to phone on a plan that saves me heeps, not them.
And wireless connection at about 5 times the speed in this poorly served, bad lines, area.