The government’s plan for Telstra appears to require a form of divestiture, says Andrew Bartlett. It would be great to have better laws — forcing asset sales — wherever anti-competitive behaviour exists.
Telstra split
Davidson: Why Telstra has every right to feel peeved
The Rudd government’s decision to force Telstra to split its wholesale and retail arms is little more than a $43 billion protection racket designed to keep its competitors in business, says Kenneth Davidson.
Gittins: Rudd gets his microreform on with Telstra
With the split of Telstra, Kevin Rudd was finally prepared to do something that’s unpopular with a lot of people and not merely undertake ”reforms” that involve spending taxpayers’ money, applauds Ross Gittins.
Kohler: Trujillo’s role in Telstra’s downfall
The story of how Telstra lost its network is one of hubris and bungling, of misreading the play in Australia by men from the US who thought they knew everything already. Shareholders should never forget this, says Alan Kohler.
Crikey Clarifier: What on earth is structural separation?
Til now, Telstra has exploited its monopoly as the buyer and seller of wholesale services to gouge the public and its struggling rivals. So the government’s forcing it to “structurally separate”. But what does this mean?
Telstra decision is just good policy
There’s an element of politics in Communications Minister Stephen Conroy’s decision to break Telstra up. But it’s also good policy that finally corrects the huge mistake Bob Hawke and Kim Beazley made.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: The Rundle vs. Danby rumble continues
Crikey readers weigh in on Zionism, the Telstra split, student politics and more.
Kohler: Government bludgeons Telstra into submission
It didn’t have to be like this, says Alan Kohler. The government has laid down a condition for issuing spectrum: it won’t be sold to Telstra if it’s an integrated telco at the time. But legislation to ensure this happens is overkill.
Hartcher: Rudd risks unpopularity for broadband
The forced Telstra split is a flash of steel from the government, says Peter Hartcher. PM Kevin Rudd and Communications Minister Stephen Conroy are unmoved by Telstra shareholders’ ire; they just want to get broadband moving.
Grattan: Good call, Conroy
The government’s decision to split Telstra was the right call to make, says Michelle Grattan — one that will see both parties reap the rewards.
Stutchbury: A long time coming
The government’s break-up of Telstra is a bold move, but one Howard or Hawke should have had the foresight to do years ago, says Michael Stutchbury.
Rudd rips off Telstra’s ma and pa shareholders
“Rudd wants the political kudos of appearing to promote more competition while remaining disinclined to paying tens of billions of dollars’ compensation to his targeted victims: Telstra shareholders”. Unconstitutional, says Peter Swan
Has Conroy bitten off more than he can chew?
The government has created three monster projects that it has prime responsibility for: the creation of the NBN, the dismantling of Telstra, and the re-regulation of a telecommunications market. Good luck.
How Telstra split opens up Foxtel ownership
The announcement that Telstra must separate its retail and wholesale division — including a sell-off of its 50% Foxtel stake — should make Consolidated Media a prime takeover target. Let the media mogul battle begin.
Conroy orders Telstra to do the splits
The government has again smashed Telstra’s monopolistic agenda with a raw display of executive power — announcing its intention to force the company to separate its wholesale and retail arms.
Telstra has to morph into a different kind of beast
The Rudd government’s legislation is the stark choice being offered Telstra: split your wholesale and retail operations or you don’t get any more wireless spectrum.
