Telstra blocks sale of houses

THOUSANDS of new houses will be delayed from coming onto the market, and will cost up to $3000 more, because of a sudden decision by Telstra to stop installing copper phone lines, large developers warn.

Telephone fails families seeking news from ravaged area

MELBOURNE'S Samoan community spent yesterday frantically trying to contact relatives but many were frustrated to find phone lines to the stricken South Pacific islands had been cut.

Talks offer as riots rock Honduras

HONDURAS' de facto leader has offered for the first time to hold direct talks with ousted President Manuel Zelaya to resolve a political crisis, even as soldiers laid siege to the embassy where he has taken refuge.

Link puts hand up for Reds job

EWEN McKENZIE will weigh up his coaching options in Australia before deciding on his future, but he is definitely interested in taking over from sacked Queensland Reds head coach Phil Mooney.

New Optus BlackBerry Plans

Two Optus Blackberry plans offer unlimited email from $9.99.

Lindstrom promised to 'look after' fiance

THE Swedish waitress Charlotte Lindstrom soothed her jailed fiance saying, "Don't worry little husband ... Mama's going to look after you," before the pair fell about laughing in a telephone call recorded by prison staff, the Supreme Court heard yesterday.

Accc Rules For Telstra On Access

TELCOS wanting to supply fixed-line telephone services in metropolitan areas will probably be stripped of the right to piggyback Telstra's copper-wire network, in a bid to force them to install their own equipment.

Lines Patched With Plastic

PLASTIC bags similar to those you shop with are being used by Telstra to waterproof live telephone wires in the Illawarra as technicians struggle to keep up with an increasing number of network faults.

Destinations

Life is relaxed and unhurried on Lord Howe Island: There's no high-rise buildings, no mobile phone reception, few cars and no power or telephone lines to mar the views.