Technology moves at such a swift pace, it’s understandable that goods and/or services can cost a premium, depending on what it is you’re paying for. However, in June 2012, a pricing inquiry started in Australia to determine why the country, as a whole, pays over the odds for their IT.
Now, the Australian House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications has summoned Adobe, Apple and Microsoft to attend the inquiry into IT pricing. Until now, each of them had refused to attend any of the previous parliamentary hearings.
Labor MP Ed Husic is heading up the inquiry. He has said:
These firms should have cooperated and been prepared to be more open and transparent about their pricing approaches. Adobe, Apple, and Microsoft are just a few firms that have continually defied the public"s call for answers and refused to appear before the IT pricing enquiry.
There is a clear divide on the amount of money that consumers spend on their IT in Australia, compared with say the US or the UK. One example is overseas customers paying $10 to buy Toy Story in iTunes, but Australian consumers will pay $24. The argument is being made that the same server hosts the file(s) but you will pay a premium just for being Australian. Adobe responded to the summons via a spokesperson:
Adobe will cooperate with the Committee as we have done since the inquiry began.
Apple and Microsoft are yet to comment.
At least for once we"re not hearing about "rip-off Britian."
Source: ZDNet