A new view on communications
Filed under: business, corporate, innovation, social media
Telstra CEO David Thodey explains why Telstra Exchange is more than just a blog.
Transcript:
Welcome to Telstra Exchange – our innovative new website where all Australians can exchange views about communications and technology.
Telstra Exchange is a blogging website… But it’s more than that. It’s a symbol, too, of our new approach to communications here at Telstra.
That means it’s a place for you to tell us how you feel, especially about innovation and technology.
- Which products and services make the biggest difference to your life?
- How can communications be used to make Australia a better place?
- What new products or services would you like to make your life simpler and easier?
These are some of the issues we’ll cover here in the coming months.
And your comments will help us plan for the future, and make decisions, that improve the types of products and services we offer all Australians.
That’s why we want to hear from you.
Telstra is a great Australian company – but we can do better by knowing what you want.
First, we need to listen …and Telstra Exchange is our listening post.
And now, it’s over to you.
SIM & Sydney, typical of Johnny come lately. He wants us to wipe off our cherished, proud and glorious 100-year historical past and fall in line with Rudd’s NBN Co.
What is NBN Co? Is it a Federal Government department, a privately listed company or what? Is it answerable to the people or ASIC and will it be submitting statutory results since its short inception?
I read with astonishment that Optus will cease providing services to apartment blocks. Imagine if this telecommunications degradations is extended to other essential terrestrial services. It will make the recent roof insulation debacle resemble a teddy bears picnic.
Every Australian would wish a satisfactory result that provides Australians with excellent communication facilities and at an acceptable cost.
For a result that includes Telstra it is obvious that the Rudd Government, which requires assets owned by Telstra, must purchase those assets at a price acceptable to Telstra. This fact is a basic foundation for acquisition in any exchange of ownership. Clouding the issue is a new demand by Senator Conroy which would be concerning not only to Telstra but to the entire telecommunication industry.
When Government first announced the formation of the NBN Co Australians were assured that it would wholesale only and not vertically integrated. In fact the Government insists that Telstra must be separated, wholesale from retail, to avoid vertical integration. Now, with disbelief we are told that to make the NBN Co viable it would retail services starting with regulation to force all Government requirements to use the services of the NBN Co.
This would in all probability be the thin edge of the wedge where, in time, Australians would see the Government force all custom to the NBN Co thereby removing Telstra, Optus and the smaller players from the scene and making the NBN Co a total and complete monopoly. That of course would allow the Government to sell the NBN Co back to Australians who in fact were the very people that paid for ownership of it in the first place.
I would hope, and believe, that those in control at Telstra will negotiate fairly but firmly for a happy result in discussions with Government, but, if this result is not possible I would expect Telstra to inform the Australian people in plain language and with vigor the despicable blackmail and threat that Mr Rudd is using to destroy the value of assets of the Australian people.
Dear David,
I just read your ‘Shareholder Letter’ to my visiting mother (a TLS shareholder).
She has got absolutely no idea what you are trying to say!!
She has got no idea what the Labor Government are doing.
And very few people do know. I was attending a function last night and tried to get the Telstra debate going and I was almost accosted. There are many people out there who absolutely hate Telstra.
There is a massive promotional campaign needed in Australia firstly to let Australians know what is happening, and most importantly, to get Australia back on side.
I am a retiree with a major proportion of my super in TLS and I am depending on you to keep food on my table!!
Sim you are correct in your assessment of the present situation.
If the Rudd Government remains adamant in its insistence that Telstra must be regulated out of existence and financially destroyed then approaches must be made to Mr Abbott to establish what his position would be should he become Prime Minister after the next election.
Then in the interests of Telstra shareholders, its 34,000 employees and almost every Australian who have a financial interest in the well-being of Telstra, at the appropriate time, Telstra must begin a gigantic advertising campaign to educate the Australian people of the vicious and unfair blackmail of Telstra and the destruction of assets of the Australian people.
Glorious 100 year history?
But I thought Telstra only started in 1997, when you bought your shares? You normally, seem to have forgotten and will argue, how Telstra and the monopoly PSTN came about prior to 1997 (unless like now, it suits otherwise).
Stop the negativity!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have been telling you and SIM saw it in the flesh, a lot of people “hate Telstra”. But you keep brushing it under the carpet using silly figures based around the monopoly PSTN, to say otherwise.
Telstra have been hated for being non-customer focussed, expensive, for having a privileged position due to their government origins and especially because of the antagonistic ways of the previous management. This is all being addressed by “our” management. However…
One thing they can’t control, is those whipped into a frenzy by Trujillo and NWAT, who just won’t let go. As I said above and voila, right on cue two of them appear to prove me absolutely right, lol.
There’s still a few of the old guard, mouthy NWAT shareholders, who keep the antagonism (Telstra now wish to avoid, as it DIDN’T WORK) going and as a consequence people hate Telstra because of them and their sycophantic rhetoric, not because of Telstra.
You’d think grown men would have more sense. But no…
I hope your shares pick up too SIM and if we can shut the nay-sayers up, maybe they will!
Can Telstra run a public campaign against the Labor government? There is over a million sahreholders and tens of thousands of employee that is alot of voting power. If we spend more money to find out where the swing seats are and concentrate the efforts of our shareholders and employee in the area, we can make a difference. In addition, contribute to the oppositions parties and put the billions shareholders are going to loose into voting the government out.
It is hard to win a game if your opposition is also the referee, changing the referee is a better solution.
There is also no public debate on how the government network is going to be profitable and justify the investment. Everybody hates Telstra but what makes poeple think dealing with the government (public service) is going to be way better?
I find it unbelievable that the government can have a forced separation policy for Telstra yet come out with draft legislation for NBN Co. of a combined possible retail and wholesale function. The inconsistencies in this whole process must now be a matter of concern for all of us.
One point I would like to have clarified is; on the NBN 5 test rollout sites, is the NBN Co. using any Telstra facilities in this trial, as in government publicity coverage there is no acknowledgement given to Telstra for cooperation in supporting the NBN trial.
Kin,
I agree with you.
But I can tell you that as far as I know most of the Telstra employees will vote Labor come hell or high water!
I’m fairly sure that most of them don’t even know what is going on! Even if they did, it wouldn’t change many votes.
Australians only learn their lesson after it’s too late! Look at NSW Labor; look what they’ve done to the state over the last decade (at least) – and they still get voted back in!!!
I’ve finally learned my lesson. I voted Labor for the very last time last federal election. I will be voting conservative from now on.
I think most of the problem lies with the Left Wing media in Australia. And the ABC is leading the pack here.
The only credible way we can know what Labor are REALLY saying is to watch parliament, interviews, senate, Senate Enquiries, debates etc on the net or on the A-PAC channel. You will be horrified at how the media (mainly the ABC) interpret it when you see the same thing on the evening news.
With Australians, the only chance of swinging the vote is through the ‘hip-pocket-nerve’. That means the shareholders! I think that they are the only ones who can save this country!!!
Brian, you are absolutely right. It a complete shemozzle.
This gung ho approach by a Minister of the Crown will have our founding fathers turning in their graves.
On the Telstra split up, its ‘don’t do as I do, do as you are told by me’.
On the resultant share price drop. Not Mea Culpa, Courtesy:
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Conroy-Telstra-share-price-not-my-fault/0,130061791,339301452,00.htm
And hundreds more, too many to list. Is this Australia?
Apart from the wanton destruction of massive shareholder’s investment capital. What escapes the all and sundry, is the fact the Telstra executives are distracted from running the business and millions of shareholders and fund managers are neglecting portfolios attending to the fate of a single share.
Kin, Telstra is expected to maintain a decorum and soldier on with its statutory continuous disclosure provisions.
It’s open to shareholders, though, to take appropriate class legal action when we get pushed too far.
Our High Court is clear on this point. The Minister is also well aware of this fact, that is why he engages in evasive action to trip Telstra by introducing legislation on the sly….”The Federal Opposition accused Conroy of attempting to introduce the Bill for debate in what was supposed to be a period for non-controversial legislation, and just 15 minutes before that period ended and general question time began.”
Extract, Courtesy:
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Senate-rebels-on-Telstra-Bill/0,130061791,339301361,00.htm
Yes mount a campaign against the Labor government.
You have been reading page 1 of Sol’s how to win friends and influence people, haven’t you? Will you people ever learn?
Apparently not…
Why is it the Telstra shareholder way to always be negative?
Instead of offering Mr. Thodey your support to get on with it for all Austalians and TLS shareholders benefit, you wish to turn back to the antagonistic Sol approach.
Gee that has been successful so far, eh?
Maybe I was wrong after all, about Telstra agreeing with the government and the share price heading north as a consequence, if you people are any indication of what drives Telstra?
I am finding it very difficult to get any pro Telstra and anti Labor comments published on some of the other web sites.
I cannot get ANY anti ‘Aunty ABC’ comments published either.
I wonder if anyone else is having that trouble?
Maybe I’m being a little harsh in my comments!
To any Telstra employees reading this site.
I told my Dad to ‘take a flying jump’ the other day.
He drummed it into me that the Labor Party were the only ones to help the ‘working man’ – always vote Labor. That’s what his Dad told him.
Now that I think about it, which Labor Party ever helped the working man?
I told Dad I am now a Conservative and I will let my kids make up their own mind – and please don’t talk politics to them!
Sanity prevails? “NBN Co to stay wholesale: Conroy”
Extract, Courtesy:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/nbn-co-to-stay-wholesale-conroy/story-e6frgakx-1225836579700
“Yes mount a campaign against the Labor government.” !!!!!!
Repeat after me, it’s for the Telecommunications National Interest.
“Dear Vasso,
Today I announced the biggest change to our health and hospital system since the introduction of Medicare.
These reforms will deliver better hospitals and better health services across the nation.
The nationally funded and locally run National Health and Hospitals Network will:
Create a single national network of hospitals, instead of eight separate systems
Be nationally funded, with the Australian Government shouldering the majority of the financial burden, which means more money will be available to meet rising health costs
Make sure local doctors and nurses with local expertise are making the important decisions for our local hospitals.
It was Labor that built the Medicare system and Labor introduced the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, making essential medicines affordable.
The new National Health and Hospitals Network is the next step in Labor’s commitment to quality, affordable healthcare for all Australians.
Read More: National Health and Hospitals Network
Yours sincerely
Kevin Rudd
Prime Minister “
Robbie Stephens I understand your motivation to extend the hand of friendship, to treat others as you would have them treat you, and of course you are encouraged by Biblical verse to turn the other cheek.
But Robbie we live in a real world, not an ideal one, and I would have thought that you should have sufficient grasp of history to understand the folly of your suggestion that Telstra to throw themselves (and us) on the trust and benevolence of a vindictive Government.
I do not think you are a Quisling but simply misguided and for inspiration I would refer you to the history of a man named Arthur Neville Chamberlain who was guided by aspirations similar to yours.
I would refer you also to the words of Chairman Mao Tse Tung who said “We do not want to fight, but if we are forced to fight we must win”. Robbie you make it sound so easy, simply do the Government bidding and all will be well. Simplistic and noble thoughts Robbie but treacherous and dangerous also.
Sim. After working for Telstra for 40 years, I am sure you will be interested in the two articles appearing on pages 20 & 21 of the AFR today.
The lessons from Telstra history dates back to 1854. Nothing seems to change, private enterprise spend big time and governments take their pick gratis.
2010 – Analyst Ian Martin of Royal Bank of Scotland says “The lesson for Telstra shareholders is that “unless you are prepared to stand up for your investment, the government is going to take it”. Integrity Investment Management MD agrees “They may as well just pass legislation that forces Telstra shareholders to give back their shares to the government for free”
But there’s more goodies,…. “Conroy threat on mobile licences” (page 21).
Extracts, Courtesy: AFR 4 March 2010
Hi Brian
Telstra shares your concern with the Government’s exposure draft – if you haven’t already you might like to read our recent letter to shareholders on the issue – http://www.telstra.com.au/abouttelstra/investor/docs/tls724-shareholder-letter.pdf
In regard to NBN Co’s trials, we are not involved at this stage. Our involvement in the design and planning for the trial sites, like the broader NBN, is dependent on the outcome of the ongoing negotiations with NBN Co.
Cheers
Kristen
Vasso, the articles to which you refer are very sobering and reflect the awakening position of many in our Newspapers.
In fact the blackmail and threat by the Rudd Government is so serious that the time is near when concerned Australians will be forced to protest at Parliament House in Canberra to expose the blackmail and protect the assets of Australians.
Hi Sydney,
So… after accusing me for almost a year, you finally realise that I’m not a quisling (disparaging opponent) after all. It’s a miracle. Although I suppose you will call me this again tomorrow, such is your frivolous, back-flipping, lol.
As such, I see you are now even hinting at a Hitler analogy, with the Chamberlain comment…Your TLS shares are hardly akin to not understanding the dangers and the resulting world war, where millions were killed! Frankly, like your other share analogies which involved Jesus, the ANZACS and Mary MacKillop, that’s pretty distasteful! Plus Mao Tse-tung!
Yes we do live in the real world Sydney, glad you have joined us at last – another epiphany – wow two miracles in one day!
Her in the real world, Sol’s Telstra played stupid games with two governments and this is the end result. There’s only about 5 people (all TLS shareholders, mostly here) who now refuse to believe. I am a TLS shareholder now and you even admitted I’m not a quisling, so why would I continue to lie, if it were a lie?
Why do you think the architects of animosity, Trujillo, McGauchie, Burgess, etc are all gone, well before their contracts expired? Because they were killing Telstra and THEY HAD TO GO. So while you refuse to believe, Telstra believe full and well and have changed their confrontationist ways, because they had to…
So you can call the Rudd Labor government blackmailers, as you have done twice in just 5 lines above and at countless other blogs. But not so long ago you were claiming anywhere and everywhere, the Howard, Libs/Nats, treacherous traitors for selling out to Singapore with OPEL!
Now, seriously and rationally, do you really believe two Australian governments, of opposite political persuasion, both hate/hated and want/wanted to bury Australia’s Telstra?
The answer normally would of course be NO! Both sides of politics can never agree on anything, let alone burying an Aussie company and their shareholders (a lot of which are mums/dads/retirees etc).
However, when a government (Lib/Nat or Labor) is faced with the juggling act of having to please the masses and TLS shareholders, while (previously) an antagonistic, egotistical Telstra management, undermines every move made to improve Australia’s comms, well the line in the sand has been crossed.
Mr. Thodey is on the right track now, but I have never said he should cave-in. What I have said is I’m confident he will agree on a mutually beneficial deal (the sooner the better to end the unknown/volatility).
So… seems I have more “actual” faith in Telstra than you do?
Vasso Massonic says:
3 Mar 2010 at 4:19 pm
Sanity prevails? “NBN Co to stay wholesale: Conroy”
So you agree vertically integrated is no good and the retailer/wholsesaler should be separated, Vasso?
***Except for Telstra***?????
Then you agree with ‘mounting a Sol like campaign against the (Labor this time – last time it was the coalition) government’, because they (AS PER YOUR POST!!!!!!) –
1) will deliver better hospitals and better health services across the nation.
2) built the Medicare system
3) introduced the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, making essential medicines affordable
4) (have a) commitment to quality, affordable healthcare for all Australians.
??????????????????????????????? (even more question marks this time, lol…)
The fiends how dare they…
Sydney, I pity those who have a one track mind and caught in perpetual abracadabra.
What will be, will be. Talk is cheap, so let’s see what develops over the 8-year NBN span.
Robbie I understand your belief that a subservient and acquiescing Telstra will automatically receive favourable and friendly treatment from Government. Perhaps so.
Robbie if you are wrong, and considering you are now a part owner of Telstra, if the Government blackmail of Telstra continues, will you join me at Parliament House, Canberra to protest in defence of your investment?
If only politicians can do away with glory, this can make perfect sense.
http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/NBN-Telstra-Stephen-Conroy-pd20100305-38QFJ?OpenDocument
Addendum to above Post.
We have sent the following E-mail to the crossbench senators.
Dear Senator…………….
Next week our Senate will be debating the Telstra splitting bill which, in view of Telstra’s current negotiations with NBN Co makes the Federal Government’s agenda of Industry disruptive and costly break up of Telstra by recreating a similar utility, superfluous. Even, its future path is privatisation which will come as a cruel blow to Telstra’s substantial workforce, its vast clientele and the huge direct and indirect Investors who rely on Telstra’s income.
May I invite your attention to a commentary by Alan Kohler, Business Spectator, which makes perfect sense and worthy of consideration as an alternative which could minimise the disruption and trauma.
Kind Regards
Victoria & Vasso Massonic
Telstra retired shareholders
LISTEN UP!
Vasso, Syd, Robbie and more recently…..Bill please give it a rest, honestly! You have dominated this excellent opportunity, aka Telstra Exchange, ever since it began, and from what I can remember the NWAT forum as well. Vasso spend more time with your grandson; Syd spend more time with family and friends…and…Robbie you are a good bloke and I see glimmers of commonsense in your writings, but enough is enough! ‘A fair suck of the sauce bottle, mate’.
I have written on several occasions re Telstra’s arrogant and bullying ‘past’, not to denigrate it but to try and get the people on the BIg gravy train to understand that Telstra is NOT some sort of sheltered works which owes all the gravy trainers a living, far from it, there is a real and serious job to do of building the next 50 years of prosperity for this Nation – a REAL and SERIOUS job to do! Telecommunications – all elements of it – are an essential part of this J-O-B.
KRudd Co have lost the plot on this in a serious way, sadly, as I honestly thought it could and would do the right thing. It is NOT that blooming hard and bureau-brats who make it out to be so are simply looking after their life long retirement plan – a JOB forever…..The latest Legislation is yet another example of how they will never get this right – they simply CAN’T with this Minister and his dumnuts – simply NOT up to it. NBN Co and its Execs, NOT up to it, witness the appointment of that Labour genious from Qld on a ‘recommendation’ from the Boy Minister. Honestly, they have become so arrogant that they think they can get away with this sort of rubbish….and…for the NBN Co CEO to sit there like a silly school boy and have no answers to why normal selection processes were not followed beggars belif…this is a $45 Billion company for goodness sake!!!!! I they have appointed this under-weight person as a CEO?! Please.
On the good side. Telstra is improving in customer service…early days…but it is happening…smal steps…very small steps….I have had a landline problem/fault for over 18 months, kept reporting the fault to ‘help’/fault’ desk (BTW Telstra if you are reading this blog please just get rid of that lot…they have zero idea, zero speak the lingo, my 3 year old grandson does a better job of ‘analysing’ the problems with his DVD player when it ‘stops’ working – how much would that save? Hundred of millions I expect straight to the bottom line) ….to no avail. The usual speil, tech will come out, tech comes out, says problem fixed, problem comes back almost instantly, ie NO dial tone on line, only very loud buzzing etc. This goes on and on for 18 months as i said. Costing Telstra huge amounts for tech call outs which included weekends etc. We noticed that the fault recurred when we had small amounts of rain and also without rain very early in the mornings. All relayed to the ‘hot shot’ techs who came out. A few weeks ago a tech did turn up unannounced and we went through the whole sad story again….this time he said, I will switch pairs to a new pair and we will see what gives (mind you we had asked if this could happen some 12 months ago – answer? NO!) And guess what? The fault has now ‘vanished’?! Got another call from a ‘serious’ fault high level tech Telstra manager telling us that a ‘serious’ tech had been asigned to the problem all day to sort this problem out. NICE! I detect a glimmer of a hope of better customer service coming to a landline near you, should this ‘serious’ attention be maintained….I hope so for Telstra and the rest of the Nation.
Whatever anybody says the shareholder Mums and Dads have coughed up good dollars to buy the best telecommunications infrastructure vehicle in the world – don’t belive me? Go live in some SE Asian countries, NOT cities, ‘up-country’ as they say for a bit, then come and talk….and the rest have piggy-backed on that largess for years, so get with the fundamentals.
If KRudd Co wants it all back, then for goodness sake offer the shareholders the T3 buy-in price plus a reasonable uplift for capital improvements and let them have it! It will be a very sorry day when it happens, but KRudd Co will NOT stop until Telstra is no more, so let them have it as we can’t stop them because we are too stupid to band together, bickkering amongst ourselves seems to be a way of using energy and keep us at the base level.
Telstra is to blame for a lot of this ‘attack’ by the Government – they gave them the opportunity and the motive. Had Telstra’s senior managers understood the unique ‘love’ Australians had deep down for our icons such as Telstra, Qantas, Australia Post et al, they would have done much more to keep the goodwill of customers in tact – a major noncurrent asset on the balance sheet – and treat it as their major asset – BED ROCK asset.
Their arrogance and bullying over many years towards customers have totally eroded this asset and it has to be re-built. Had the old customer goodwill remained NO Australian Government would have dared to do what successive Governments have done to Telstra and certainly not the most recent chapter of attack and destroy.
One can only hope that 1.4 million shareholders and their friends et al will REVOLT soon and tell the Government directly – maybe ‘direct’ Abbott will do it for them?? Mind you he seems to have problems operating a sat phone in the bush – oh, dear!
goodbye telstra hello conroy my tax money?
Kristen, your response to Brian’s post exposes the current nonsensical state of affairs. In an off-the-record interview with the NBN Co Chairman, Alan Kohler has intimated that Mike Quigley is reported to have said… NBN Co will not accept something that does not make sense and neither will Telstra.
It seems that NBN Co is in the process of making a very expensive taxpayer funded mountain out of a molehill. Your words of wisdom “Our involvement in the design and planning for the trial sites, like the broader NBN, is dependent on the outcome of the ongoing negotiations with NBN Co.” is surely the answer.
Who better than the Telstra team, can deploy this damn thing with a minimum of fuss and disruption. In a nutshell, Telstra can very efficiently and progressively begin immediately replacing copper with cable and transfer its clientele to the NBN Co without demolishing Telstra and the Industry.
I sent the following email to Jill Halls office (Government Whip)in response to an article her office sent titled “Structural Reform For Telstra”.
Re: Labor Distortion of the Telstra Story.
Dear Jan,
Again, many thanks for your response. I have contacted many Labor people with no response, as yet.
Basically, my concern is the pending Senate legislation intending to destroy Telstra and also the distortion of the Telstra situation by the Labor Party and the media.
Labor made its direction very clear when Lindsay Tanner went on national TV (ABC) last year and said “Telstra was a gorilla and we are going to deal with it”.
Following is a brief response to the ‘Telstra Separation’ article you sent last week.
Some of my concerns about the article, are these:
Eg. in the article it says;
(1) “Telstra has the flexibility to choose its own path”.
It certainly has – either almost total destruction by Labor proposed legislation or capitulation to Labor and ruin Australia’s national telecom carrier business.
(2) “Telstra has ownership of the only fixed line copper network and the largest hybrid fibre coaxial cable network”.
It has. But it is open to all comers. It is heavily regulated to the extent that it costs more for Telstra to maintain the networks than it gets in return from the overseas competitors using the lines.
(3) “Telstra owns half of the largest pay-TV provider”.
It does, but what has that got to do with telecom competition in Australia? Why does Labor want to force Telstra to sell of its profitable bits?
(4) “Telstra owns the largest mobile phone network”.
It does, but it was installed and paid for by Telstra. It serves ALL Australia – even the unprofitable areas. The competitors are more than welcome to invest and build the same. They will not because they only want the cream areas.
(5) Reforms will “lower prices”.
There is ‘buckleys’ of this happening. It is going to cost Australia dearly in many ways. For a start more money will almost certainly go to the overseas multinationals.
(6) Labor reforms will improve competition.
At the moment Telstra has about 40% of mobiles and 40% of internet in Australia. Telstra provides almost ALL of the network for the competitors (they stopped building network because the ACCC regulations made it uneconomical to install and maintain their own – any they did install is rotting in the ground). What does Labor mean by more competition? Do they want more that 60% going to overseas multinationals?
Telstra currently looks after ALL Australia to the best of what it’s allowed to do by government and ACCC. Labor are meddling in a huge area (I worked for Telstra for 40 years – I know) and it can only be to the overall detriment of Telstra and Australia.
Telstra is the best in the world at planning, design, installation and operation of a telco. Labor are trying to destroy it! WHY? Someone please tell me the real reason.
Ever since the idea of telco privatization was conceived there have been blatant lies and an extremely successful anti Telstra (Telecom etc) campaign running in the media.
I just cannot understand why Australians are ‘beating-up’ on their own national telco.
I would be very interested to hear a Labor response to these concerns.
Ooh-wah, look Syd and Vasso, the 40 year perfect company, referred to by Sty as saint Telstra (like Mary MacKillop, lol) has been up to no good again…
http://www.itnews.com.au/News/168876,optus-wins-telstra-confidentiality-breach-ruling.aspx
Don’t forget this one, from before too!
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/communications/soa/Telstra-to-plead-guilty-on-access-dispute/0,130061791,339297740,00.htm
Then just a little advice for you (even though Sydney has sworn, as did Vasso before him but he’s already renegged, lol… never to correspond with me ever again) – here…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lDIJjnCHco
Yes I want Telstra to do well and I support the new management, but let’s not ignore the truth (as you forever do) in doing so…
Above should read Syd not Sty.
No nastiness or suidae implication was intended, this was a simple typo, which I apologise for!
Paul, thank you for taking the time to restate the obvious. I do try to spend lots of time with my GREAT GRANDSON (not grandson) and with my four grandson/daughters.
The task of leaving them pride and glory is not over yet, so bear with me a bit longer.
Cheers
The groundswell of Ausralians whether they be shareholders, directly or indirectly through their superannuation funds, or even competitors, now realising that their assets my also be
earmarked for possible \compulsory\ aquistion, is growing daily.
Telstra is a business trying to make its income by providing
a comprehensive, reliable and necessary service. We likewise
saw its value to the community and invested our hard earned savings because we too believed in this company.
I did not and would not have invested in a company or a country where governments, having sold the asset would
use undemocratic means to destoy the company to aquire
its assets at firesale prices.
Increasingly, free thinking people are thinking of the wider ramifications of this type of behaviour by authorities and asking themselves ..is this the way Australia should be behaving?
Politicians of all persuasions need to listen the people who
have or are considering to elect them and fight for the
growing swell of disillusioned voters.
Sydney, let’s do him a favour….. non illitimi carborandum
I agree Paul and if those with rose coloured glasses will stop referring to Telstra as Mary MacKillop like, and cut the lies and distortions I will need not post…
As I have been saying to Vasso, Syd & Co, the easiest way for Telstra is to agree with the government. The easiest way for the government to make significant progress in their promised NBN is the agree with Telstra. It is quite simple (in theory anyway)…
The government and their NBN will finally come out smelling like roses and Telstra’s solidity will help the share price, give them a nice slice of the NBN and the build! They can mutually benefit one another…
But at every turn I have been shot down with NWAT rhetoric and nonsense talk about ANZACS fighting, Chamberlain ignoring Hitler, blackmailing government and me being a Telstra basher, yawn…
But here’s what my friend Vasso said last –
“Who better than the Telstra team, can deploy this damn thing with a minimum of fuss and disruption. In a nutshell, Telstra can very efficiently and progressively begin immediately replacing copper with cable and transfer its clientele to the NBN Co without demolishing Telstra and the Industry”.
Gee what a revelation, did you think that up yourself?
SIM, excellent stuff mate. By now Jan is safe under her rock.
The following report is interesting, if you have not read.
http://www.smh.com.au/business/its-all-on-the-line-telstra-
sweats-it-out-20100305-poqy.html
Paul thank you for your kind thoughts and your suggestions for our future but I am sure the people who you name and make reference to are as happy and contented as your good self.
We are simply trying, to the best of our limited ability, to explain to the Australian people the blackmail and threat that is being unfairly visited on Telstra. It is unbelievable that an Australian Government would try to destroy an Australian company. Hopefully those in control of Telstra will have set minimum parameters for negotiation with Government.
If these numbers cannot be agreed and guaranteed by Government best to abandon talks and pursue other avenues to halt the destruction of Telstra value as is constantly occurring at the moment. If the Government won’t change perhaps we can change the Government.
Paul with further reference to your concern as to my happiness and your thoughts that I may not be enjoying life because of my occasional comments concerning Telstra, I inform you that my Alaska cruise happens in May and my wife and I are booked on the Queen Elizabeth to the U.K. next March. Life is good, hope yours is also.
Sydney: Erratum Viz Illegitimi non carborundum
http://www.smh.com.au/business/the-politics-of-delay-its-about-the-wrong-number-20100308-psrz.html
A few informative paragraphs.
During the past few years, the tactics from Telstra have been based on delay and obfuscation. And why not? The longer the delay, the longer Telstra can reap that magnificent 60 per cent margin on its monopoly fixed-line service – even if it is an antiquated technology with a withering client base.
Hence the decision by Sol Trujillo to lob a non-conforming bid under the initial broadband tender proposal. New boss David Thodey also is a dab hand at delay. Last week he indicated he was prepared to spend six months cutting a deal with NBN.
During the Trujillo era, Telstra played hardball with the government and refused to adhere to the spirit of the law that governed it. This is the regulatory response.
According to this, your nemesis Robbie was spot on. Apart from maybe his opinion of David.
Paul,
If you are not Robbie Stevens my name is not Bill.
Anyone who says “Robbie you are a good bloke and I see glimmers of commonsense in your writings” has to be either RS or a very close relative!
I stopped reading there, sorry.
The only commonsense being shown today is from the Conservatives. They are going to oppose the Telstra legislation. Thank goodness! Thank goodness! Thank goodness!
At last someone is making a stand for our once great Australian company, Telstra (besides Vasso and Syd that is).
I will support any political party, politician, senator, journalist etc that stands up for the natural rights of our battered, bruised, besieged and belittled National Telecom Carrier.
I find it hard to believe that this situation can occur in the first place.
I find it hard to believe, and very worrying, that this injustice has not outraged all of Australia.
I agree that at the moment most voters will not necessary change their votes. Hence the need for Telstra to spend shareholders money to mount a campaign, educate the people, employees and public. If you repeat something enought times, it becomes the only truth.
I seriously think that certian governement officials have their buddies or special interest lined up to get all those contracts that is going to be awarded. Now that the government are no longer shareholders of Telstra we can no longer squeeze them for anything more.
Given the size of Australia and the need to get communications to many low population areas, it can never be profitable, if their are no subidaies then the system will not work.
Once government officials take charge, the spending is always going to be more than the budget. Look at how well they run the defence department spending. The government do not understand what efficiency means, they just know how to spend, they never have to worry about where the money comes from, just spend all the appropriatsions given in the year so we can ask for more next year.
The public just think about the speed of the internet and this is what all publicity is concentrated on, it is going to be 20 Mb, 50Mb or 100MB, but the users should know the bandwidth is more important then the bloody speed. What is the point of having a 100Mb line if your bandwidth is 30GB a month. If each person is given unlimited bandwidth and a 5MB line, that is more then enough for currrent technology.
II totally agree with Bill,Rudd conroy and Samuels from accc should be charged with treason.
Bill, do not despair. In the final analysis, Telstra’s prowess will tower. Already the fourth estate has begun sober reporting of real facts. The AFR has two articles in today’s edition pages, 12 &17, well worth reading.
The myth of fast broadband, in eight years time, has been exposed by the Telstra’s, now, experience. Do we need, or can we afford, building castle’s in the air?
Hi Vasso, Sydney, Robbie and Bill,
First a point of clarification……the Paul @ ‘paul says: 9 Mar 2010 at 2:48 pm’ above is NOT me. Bill sorry to disappoint you on that one. And BTW Bill, please stop the C-R-A-P!
We are NOT stupid, so stop treating people as if they are….WE know your position, you don’t have to keep on, keeping on repeating it here and JAMMING the blog in what is almost a ‘denial of service’ attack. ‘Ordinary’ bloggers don’t need a ‘pat on the head or a kick in the backside’ from you guys with every comment they make.
I am pleased that you have time for other matters, especially family matters and enjoying life – that is good, VERY good…now go do more of it…I know you can do it; you have demonstrated ample determination, grit, persistence and will power here – good personal qualities in a person so use them wisely.
I WANT TO HEAR FROM OTHER PEOPLE, please……..
We ALL know that Telstra is HATED out there by a vast majority and the Government has worked that out a (no surprises there, and the previous Government did the same) and this enables the Government to do ‘whatever they want with Telstra’ because they KNOW they can ONLY gain votes by doing so – this is a FACT and Telstra has ignore this basic fact for years and are now reaping the ‘rewards’.
This ‘state of affairs’ is a huge tragedy, a HUGE tragedy with very serious consequences for the WHOLE Nation. Telstra of OLD is to blame for this, in the main. They have been arrogant, dismissive, bullying, abusive, contemptuous and generally horrible etc etc to customers for a long time. It is the sort of arrogance you see when near absolute power and control is vested in an entity…and…the second law of thermodynamics (try that instead of latin) dictates that such ‘concentration’ will eventually break down and be ‘dispersed’.
David and his Team has a monumental task of trying to resurrect the goodwill of customers and fight the Government – that is task equal to any David and Goliath struggle – but if the could ONLY realise that the two are MUTUALLY re-inforcing and to do one will automatically do the other.
So my advice to David and the Telstra Board is to put ALL your money right now into getting the customer experience and support into the AAA ratings…and do it fast…..then watch how things change for you, us, Telstra and the Nation. I know you can do this David, so please go do it NOW! Tomorrow is too late!
The boy Minister, KRudd and Co, the bureau-brats are not the BIG issue here, they need to be dealt with for sure, BUT go WOW the customers, shower them with good services, support and offerings and it WILL turn around….and…..the Government, any Government, will suddenly become your ‘mate’.
Sydney hope your trip goes well for you and your wife.
I think you slipped up RS!
Please read your last “Paul” comment again:
This was supposedly written by “Paul”;
“First a point of clarification……the Paul @ ‘paul says: 9 Mar 2010 at 2:48 pm’ above is NOT me”.
“the Paul above is NOT me”. You said ‘not ME’?
Think about that one for a while.
Anyway, the bottom line on this whole thing is that Telstra is our National Carrier (or should be). It is competing against huge multinationals with unlimited funds and lots of experience in infiltrating many countries. As Australians, we should all be of one accord; we want our Telstra to be a healthy, successful company that everyone is proud of.
Try and argue against that!
Paul, thanks again. I’ll be brief.
The bill being debated in the senate, if passed, comes into effect on 1st July 2010, hardly time to change David’s modus operandi which, in any case, cannot be different to his agenda since assuming the CEO role.
The catch 22 situation, is that “The boy Minister, KRudd and Co, the bureau-brats” have the whip hand and Telstra’s fate is sealed even if we all stand on our head.
Hi Paul and many thanks for your good wishes. Your call for better customer relations is timely and has been identified by Mr Thodey.
The problem is that at this time we are talking about survival of Telstra with a vindictive Government determined to remove Telstra as a competitor to the NBN Co. Paul there is no point in having happy customers if all your customers have, by blackmail induced force, been stolen by the NBN Co.
Let us hope that an agreement, satisfactory to all parties, can be reached. If not Telstra must take necessary and appropriate action to protect the value of assets and employment of stakeholders and ensure that the NBN Co does not become a Government monopoly.
I ask two questions. Where is that champion of competition, the ACCC, when Telstra is being driven out as a competitor to the NBN Co. And why is the Future Fund so silent as their friends in Government destroy the value of the Future Funds shareholding in Telstra.
To those brave investors who still hold their Telstra shares, notwithstanding today’s record lows, I believe there is much we can do to help our Board restore some sanity and fairness into the anti-telstra market.
Now is the time to consider our options. Now is the time to develop a strategy to thwart the looming Telstra – disaster plan of the Rudd Government.
I make no claim to be market-smart, so I am happy to offer my support to anyone out there who can develop a clear strategy to defeat the Government plan of substituting another monopoly, NBN Coy, for the one they claim Telstra to be.
Put simply, the Government sold their Telecom, complete with existing assets, to us, the public, and now they want it back. I see that as nationalisation.
Here are some things it would pay us to bear in mind:
It is of no use looking to the Federal Opposition for succour. Remember the distinctly and publicly demonstrated Howard hostility to Telstra, and his arrogant 11th hour appointment to the Telstra Board?
Recognize that we have the strength of numbers. No politician in his right mind wishes to incur the wrath of over a million voters, not counting the ripple effect when you include shareholders’ families.
Our Board has promised that no deal will be concluded without shareholder approval. It is up to us, then, to see that we do not approve a deal which is inimical to shareholders’ interests.
Be aware of Government duplicity as disclosed in the draft legislation with its extension from wholesale-only network provider to potentially, and additionally, a retailer. If in doubt about this, think also of their bullying tactics, with the threat of limiting Telstra’s access to spectrum, unless Telstra agrees to functional separation
Is there some learned person out there who would know whether there is an arguable case which could be put to the High Court on constitutional grounds, should the Rudd Government carry out their plans in full? Short of that, if things go badly, and we do not get a satisfactory outcome to the current negotiations, I believe Telstra should consider:
launching a Telstra Broadband Company to give strong competition to the NBN Coy, competition which the Government mandates for all other Companies. I would become a founding shareholder in such a Company, which I would expect to give priority to areas of Australia which would give best value for funds invested. For example, the Melbourne and/or Sydney areas.
Test the offending enabling legislation before the High Court.
Delay to the maximum any transfer of assets to the NBN Coy required under any legislation.
In the meantime, I intend to:
write to the Minister stating my objections to their present plans for implementing a National Broadband Network
study in detail the proposed NBN Coy legislation so that I will be in a position to understand the full implications of the Government proposal, and spread the message of the need for Telstra shareholders to be vigilant.
Derek… glad to see there are some here not overwhelmed by their own portfolios, who can see and recognise reality, as clearly outlined in your link, thanks for the post!
But Bill, I’m so hurt that one as learned and obviously intelligent [sic] as you, stopped reading a comment because you wrongly (at least you are consistent) thought it was me!
There are none so blind as those who will not see…
So…I love Telstra (shares) more than life itself [sic]. Telstra should be the next Pope [sic]. I’m a poor TLS shareholder [sic] and the whole world is against me and pope Telstra I [sic]… happy? Reading on now?
Firstly Billy, its Robbie STEPHENS, at least get the basics right, even though you have absolutely no idea about comms! And no that wasn’t me…
Secondly, reading your tripe is akin to going back in a time machine to 2005/2006 and reading any comment from Syd, Vasso, Rod, Sol, Dr Phil and every other blinded, biased Telstra puppet!
You guys have absolutely no firm position and flip-flop from one extreme to the other within days, to suit the portfolio.
Look at your mate Vasso, who above 8/3 said – “In a nutshell, Telstra can very efficiently and progressively begin immediately replacing copper with cable and transfer its clientele to the NBN Co without demolishing Telstra and the Industry”.
Two days 10/3 later said – “The myth of fast broadband, in eight years time, has been exposed by the Telstra’s, now, experience. Do we need, or can we afford, building castles in the air”?
Yes Vasso, Telstra should progressively and efficiently, immediately, start building the myth/castles in the air…time for nap now!
Bill, you are part of a blinded, small minded but tiny minority of bitter shareholders, who really will never see the truth and will keep undermining all of David and his teams, good work!
It is rather pleasing to know that Australia’s Telecommunications are alive and well.
Yesterday I spent time and red eyes viewing proceedings in OUR SENATE (http://webcast.aph.gov.au/livebroadcasting/)
The debate over Telstra’s fate is going well and akin to a voyage of discovery which prompted me to contact some of the participants VIZ:
Dear Senator……..
After viewing the hard work by cross bench and opposition Senators in our Senate yesterday, I was appalled by the action of five Government Ministers of the crown labelling the upper house “obstructionist” and the thugish behaviour of Senator Conroy by uttering that senators delivered the most obstructionist Senate in 30 years. Clearly, this is reminiscent of the bad days when Paul Keating labeled Senators “fairies at the bottom of the garden” or words to that effect.
Senator Milne outlined the appalling inaction by the Labor Government pertaining to the botched and costly Green Loans scheme. This recipe for disaster pales into insignificance when compared to the $43 billion NBN project at a time of slow demand for fast broadband by customers valuing mobility over speed. According to a report in the Australian Financial Review on the 10 March 2010, Telstra upgraded its cable to Melbourne which provides download speeds of 100 megabits per second, the maximum speed that will initially be available on the federal government’s NBN, only to discover that it attracted about 200 customers in our Southern metropolis.
Some extracts, Courtesy: AFR 10/03/2010.
Kind Regards
Vasso Massonic
Big day/evening today, see what brings forth.