Telstra


NBN Co business case — truly a curiously inadequate document

It is a curiously inadequate document,” wrote Malcolm Turnbull of the NBN Co Business Case Summary. He’s right. A business case that doesn’t, y’know, present a case for the business, supported by proper numbers? WTF?

Clash of the senatorial egos spells trouble for Telstra’s shareholders

The spat over the NBN business plan will harm Telstra shareholders more than anyone else.

Dump your copper network, says Japan IT mogul — the story you weren’t told

The Australian gleefully reported a Japanese billionaire’s criticism of the NBN — but didn’t mention that his real target was exactly what the newspaper itself is pushing.

Graeme Samuel’s NBN slug

As if Telstra didn’t have enough to deal with, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has raised the prospect it will do an about-face on its attitude to Telstra’s wholesale ADSL access regime.

Kohler: time to come clean on the NBN

The Government needs to pluck up its courage and confess the extent to which the national broadband network is uncommercial — that is, the amount of subsidy embedded in it.

Kohler: let’s hang up on old Telstra

Let’s face it, successive management teams have been transforming Telstra for 15 years, trying to get the organisation to put customers first and be more competitive, and all have failed.

Thodey’s tricky trek to rebuild Telstra

Telstra CEO David Thodey would like the public to believe that the record of his controversial predecessor Sol Trujillo was necessary for growth and expansion. Thodey’s performance so far has been positively received, but the market is struggling and shareholders are waiting for results, writes John Durie.

Bartholomeusz: giving up on Telstra

Has there ever been a company battling so much uncertainty on as many fronts as Telstra? asks Stephen Bartholomeusz.

Media briefs: Is Telstra Smart? … the psychic croc …

As tipped by Crikey yesterday, Telstra is getting into the old-media publishing business with a new magazine for small to medium business owners — Smarter Business Ideas. The Age’s study in irony and other media news.

Fin misses point on Telstra pay freeze, exec pay hikes

Australian remuneration committees continue to make Orwell proud — for it very much still appears that some employees appear far more equal than others.

$364m bad debts help drag Telstra shares to all-time low

Telstra is struggling to manage $364 million of bad debts, with more smartphone users suffering “bill shock”, refusing to pay as they rack up huge amounts of data and voice usage.

Trading results indictate recovery not as strong as touted

Perhaps all those increasingly confident consumers should look a little but more closely at what is actually happening in the economy.

Hanging up on Telstra

Is it the end of the line for Telstra? Its shares dropped 9.5%, wiping off $4 billion in company value, after news that profits have slumped for the second year in a row

Tricky Telstra heaps the blame on Trujillo

A record $18.5 million fine against Telstra marks official recognition of years of dodgy dealings. The company has heaped the blame on former CEO Sol Tujillo, claiming its tricky tactics are a thing of the past.

NBN not over the line yet

Yesterday’s agreement, as explained by NBN Co and Telstra, certainly delivers a certain amount of clarity, but certainly not certainty. Either Telstra or NBN Co can bail out any time they like.

Caveats aside, Telstra deal is a big win for Rudd

It’s only a heads of agreement, and subject to further extensive negotiation, but the NBN-Telstra-Government deal isolates the Opposition and the government can claim a legitimate win.

Kohler: Telstra deal pays a political price

Telstra has finally agreed to sign an $11m deal for the NBN, with $9m coming from the NBN Co. and a final $2m sweetener from the government. The biggest winner here is Telstra, says Alan Kohler.

Thodey’s vision for a hand-held broadband video future

In Telstra chief David Thodey’s digital future, nearly everyone over the age of 10 has one or two devices for interacting with the internet. An enthusiastic CEO will help keep the investors interested — but for how long?

iPad data plans: how does Australia compare?

The iPad is hitting Australian shores on May 28 and the telcos are putting forth their data plan offerings. How does Telstra and Optus prices hold up against the UK and the US plans?

The 10 worst Telstra ads of the last 5 years

mUmBRELLA names and shames the Telstra’s top 10 “crimes against advertising”, from that awful “You cannot be serious!” John McEnroe endorsement to its most recent offering, which has ruined Keyboard Cat for everyone.

Kohler: How much will Telstra cost?

It’s been months of negotiations between Telstra and the NBN, but there is still $4 billion points of difference between the two. The government needs to step in and pay out, says Alan Kohler.

First Dog draws the 2010 AFL season: round 3

First Dog on the Moon draws the Bulldogs battle with the Hawks at Etihad Stadium, the new-look, gay-friendly AFL, and Telstra’s over-priced footy iPhone app.

Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: A big night for Bigpond?

This (rather lame) video appeared briefly on Bigpond’s official AFL website last week before disappearing and then mysteriously showing up on YouTube. Could Telstra be trying to subvert having to pay for the online rights to the music?

Tense times at Telstra

The collision between the massive uncertainties about its future and accelerating challenges within its own business appears to be creating tension and instability within Telstra, writes Stephen Bartholomeusz.

Birmingham: Death to Telstra’s Robocallers!

Reminiscent of First Dog on the Moon’s personal vendetta cartoon against Optus, John Birmingham has declared war on Telstra and its Robocallers. Ah, the advantages of having your own column.