I wonder how many of you feel run rough-shod over by Astro recently on its threat to terminate your service because of not responding to their free-but-not-so-free upgrade of the Digital Multimedia Terminal? It's free as long as you agree to pay the RM50 service fee.

Hang on! Why are we swapping the unit? Oh, because we are upgrading the broadcast platform to give you access to ever increasing and exciting new services. And, by the way, since you are happy with the current unit and not interested in a cost-incurring upgrade, we are invoking clause 8 of the residential subscription agreement to terminate your service within 30 days.

What's wrong with this picture? Granted, RM50 is small sum nowadays, and according to one Astro's customer disservice personnel, "sir, if others can afford to pay, you can also". I thought the principle of the matter is that if a consumer does not wish to upgrade, and through no fault of the same consumer, the costs of the vendor's decision to provide the upgrade should be totally borne by it.

But, what do I know. I am just a small fry whom Astro has attempted to steamroll past in the issues with the reconfigured mini-packages, the Emperor channel , and what-have-yous down the line. But, hey, what alternatives are there?

Long live Malaysia Boleh!