From AAP

07feb02

THE federal opposition has slammed Telstra for charging businesses $126.50 to remain listed among residential numbers in the White Pages.

Telstra's directories business Pacific Access has written to customers advising the 2002/03 White Pages would be split into two sections - business and residential - Labor's communications spokesman Lindsay Tanner said.

Businesses now listed in the White Pages will be automatically transferred to the new business section.

"Those wishing to remain in both the residential and business sections will be slugged with a $126.50 fee," Mr Tanner said.

The move would especially affect self-employed and small business people working from home, he said.

Mr Tanner said Telstra's post-election privatisation from within was extending right throughout the company.

"We have had mobile phone and Internet price hikes, secret network maintenance outsourcing and the cancellation of the no-frills Easymail service.

"Now we have the imposition of $126.50 listing charges on small businesses wishing to remain in the White Pages.

"The Howard government must rein in Telstra's increasingly opportunistic and greedy corporate behaviour."