Phil Burgess quits Telstra

By Liam Tung, ZDNet.com.au

18 August 2008 04:01 PM

Tags: phil burgess, policy, sol trujillo, telecommunications, telstra

Phil Burgess, Telstra's controversial group managing director of Public Policy and Communications, has announced he will leave his Australian post for good at the end of August.

Telstra's Phil Burgess
(Credit: Telstra)

Burgess will return to the US in September to care for his wife's mother who is seriously ill, according to a statement released by Telstra today.

Burgess has been in the role with Telstra since July 2005, heading up the telco's regulatory affairs, government relations, corporate affairs and media relations.

"My time in Australia and with Telstra has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life, both personally and professionally. I came here expecting to stay for one to two months. Three years later, Mary Sue and I leave having been welcomed guests in this wonderful country," Burgess said in a statement.

Filling Burgess' shoes will be David Quilty, Telstra's current director of government relations, according to the telco.

Telstra's CEO Sol Trujillo said he valued Burgess' "principled approach to public policy and communications".

"Phil has great integrity and has not been afraid to show leadership, often speaking the truth when it was inconvenient for established interests to hear it," said Trujillo.

Burgess will remain as a consultant to Telstra and advisor to Trujillo, according to Telstra's statement. Burgess has planned to take up a research role at The Annapolis Institute in September.

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Hooray! Anonymous -- 18/08/08

Good riddance to a very unpleasant man

About bloody time! Patrick McCormack -- 18/08/08 (in reply to #320110003)

Maybe there is some hope for Telstra, with this prick gone all we need now is for Sol Trujillo to take off back to the US.

Pricks! Rex Alfie Lee -- 20/08/08 (in reply to #320110007)

I thought it was just me who saw Trujillo & Co as a-holes but now I find out that their also pricks. Is this multi-tasking?

There is a god Anonymous -- 18/08/08

afterall..

Mother-in-law Anonymous -- 18/08/08

We shouldn't forget that he is going back to care for a sick family member, so lets hope she gets well soon..

But, would you really want a loud mouth, obnoxious individual such as Phil coming back to look after you?

anyone sad to see him go? Anonymous -- 18/08/08 (in reply to #320110014)

I hope its a one way ticket

Doctor Phil Anonymous -- 19/08/08

Australia is a better place without this goon. A classic example of the 'ugly American' who believes that if it works in the US it'll work anywhere else. Let's hope that Sol, the Amigos and the ridiculous sub-Amigos are all gone by Christmas. That would give us something to rejoice about at least....

Freeloaders out. Sydney Lawrence -- 19/08/08 (in reply to #320110037)

And also give the freeloading foreign bludgers (Telstra opponents) a chance to survive. No way. Go Telstra, hit em again, HARDER.

Australian Telco + American executives = American Telco Anonymous -- 19/08/08 (in reply to #320110058)

You're supporting an American, Sydney! If Telstra really is Australian, they should have "Australian" executives. Let's get rid of the "foreign bludgers" who run our great Australian Telco!

Burgess down, several more to go!

What's wrong with us Aussies? Patrick McCormack -- 19/08/08 (in reply to #320110066)

Speaking of executives why not have Australian executives in charge of Telstra instead of having to grab them from overseas. Aren't we good enough to run a company OUR taxes paid for?

"TRUE Competition" Anonymous -- 19/08/08 (in reply to #320110075)

Looks like Dr Phil has done his job judging by these "cheap" replies. LOL LOL

Job well done!!!.

IF he has advanced "true" competition instead of the "stuff" BOPTUS has bludged off for the last decade so be it!!! That is EXACTLY what this Industry needed.

As the YANKS say a "straight shooter"!!!

NB BOPTUS fanboys he is still acting as an advisor...LOL

Live and learn children. Sydney Lawrence -- 19/08/08 (in reply to #320110077)

Are you so imbecilic to dream that Australians are automatically the best in the world at everything. I am a proud Aussie but am not dumb enough to think we cannot learn from others. How come you seem happy with a foreign company owning and running Australia's second largest Telco?

Grand Wizard Rex Alfie Lee -- 20/08/08 (in reply to #320110091)

What an unintelligible unfortunate you are. Perhaps it is you who should be sent somewhere else to relieve this country of all the bigots we have. Like John Howard & Tony Abbott for instance, oh & Sol Trujillo too.

Children?? Rex Alfie Lee -- 20/08/08 (in reply to #320110078)

Perhaps Sydney Lawrence you have some Telstra shares or else you wouldn't be reporting in support of Telstra's non-Oz board. Perhaps you have ulterior motives to your heckle, Mon Freckle.

To resort to name calling, Mon Freckle, perhaps it is thou that is the named child. Perhaps thou childish resentment of all that is against thou's shareholdings that limits thou's ability to expect a reasonable service provided by an organisation in deference to the pittance we are provided by your illustrious share-holding organisation.

Notice that without an American the word "organisation " is spelt correctly despite all American attempts to abuse the the English language. Yes, perhaps we are better at everything. Perhaps not too.

Who gives a flying f#c& anyway?

Yeah "True Competition"!! Grand Wizard -- 19/08/08 (in reply to #320110077)

ha ha ha. You're right look at those "BOPTUS fanboys" using their iphones to download all those illegal movies, music and porn. I'm paying $79 with NextG and with that I get 5MB which is more than enough for me to check my e-mail once a week. I get to take advantage of the high speed NextG network in more places and Telstra even send me a warning when I reach 80% of my 5MB allowance which is awfully nice of them. On the odd occasion when I spoil myself and go to McDonalds I even get free WiFi access which is a huge bonus! Thanks Telstra.. you know exactly what I want

Grand Wizard Harry Potter -- 20/08/08 (in reply to #320110092)

Get back to bed ... I am waiting for you.

You are a complete and utter F***wit

True Competition Anonymous -- 24/08/08 (in reply to #320110092)

ya can thank Dr Phil for advancing "True Competition" against the evil ACCC...he he he

No marketing please Davo -- 01/09/08 (in reply to #320110092)

We all know what crap deals Telstra offer for any communications services. Keep the marketing to the Telstra portal or one of their marketing sites.

What about Optus??? poo -- 19/08/08 (in reply to #320110066)

Singapore all round including ownership @ 100%

Sydney you are one of a kind Anonymous -- 19/08/08

Mate - where did they dredge you up? Are you sure you are not Sol Trujillo's PA who adds coments during his/her downtime. I constantly ask myself how on earth anyone can love Telstra as much as you??? Where did your undivided admiration come from? Incumbents worldwide need people like you, becuase nobody displays the devotion you do

Lottery of life winners, Australians. Sydney Lawrence -- 20/08/08 (in reply to #320110082)

I learnt my admiration for all things Australian from a little song that went like this, "Australians all let us rejoice for we are young and free". The Anti Telstra, Anti Australian Brigade should learn it some time.

Share-holder Rex Alfie Lee -- 20/08/08 (in reply to #320110128)

His comments are based solely on his shares. If he didn't haave them he'd hate Telstra too!

None,Nil,Zero,zilch and O. Get it Rex? Sydney Lawrence -- 21/08/08 (in reply to #320110177)

Rex Alfie Lee I know when we talk of your IQ we are not talking big numbers but this is the seventh time I have told you, I have NO Telstra shares.

Well? james -- 26/08/08 (in reply to #320110195)

Syd, I'm not gonna jump out and yell 'shareholder shareholder' like everyone else here, but i am intrigued by how much you stand to telstras defense? every company, no matter great must have some faults... has telstra always provided you with top notch cust service, a telstra tech help you out when your car had broken down or what? why have you chosen telstra as your telco, and i do hope its for a better reason than its australian...

Wrong aint right. Sydney Lawrence -- 28/08/08 (in reply to #320110570)

James why are you so surprised that a person, seeing a wrong, would not speak out in an endeavour to right that wrong.

I happen to believe that a great Australian company is being restricted by Government regulation, to benefit opponents without assisting in any way, the Australian public.

The ACCC creates a false competition which is embraced and promoted by Telstra competitors because it grants them a cheap freeload on Telstra and allows them to avoid investment.

Lastly, and let's get this straight. I am not against foreign investment. But I am against Australian taxpayer money being granted to a foreign company whose profits will be sent out of Australia.

well okay but... james -- 28/08/08 (in reply to #320110762)

the question still stands syd.. why telstra? I'm sure coles myer wouldnt mind you over at their website spruiking them? or woolies, perhaps super cheap autos is a bit overly regulated? all these companies are most likely feeling a bit over regulated, but why arent you donning your cape and flying to their rescue?

regulation Ralph -- 28/08/08 (in reply to #320110763)

You think telcos are over regulated, try Banking! Bank margins are the lowest in the country and yet every one harps on about Bank profit and fees. The Telco industry gets an easy ride compared to just about every other industry (food, medical, manufacturing)
Banks need a one eyed champion like Sydney to respond to any negative public comments.

Red and blue suit with underpants on the outside? Telstra PR number 1! -- 28/08/08 (in reply to #320110786)

Quick syd! another overly regulated area of australia, find your nearest payphone (hopefully despite telstra cutbacks it's been cleaned lately) and change into... SUPER SYD! to the rescue of corporations... sure hope you dont forget us here at telstra *wipes away a tear*, dont know how we'll hold up against the ACCC's regulation without you...perhaps we could build some kind of regulation bunker with our HUGE PROFITS? MWAHAHAHAHA!

@red and blue Anonymous -- 28/08/08 (in reply to #320110790)

whether you agree with him or not, at least sydney has principles and believes in his cause. he isn't being a ***khead just for the sake of being a ***khead, like you, ***khead..

Greed is obvious. Sydney Lawrence -- 28/08/08 (in reply to #320110790)

It is my sincere hope that when the results of the ACCC "false competition" regulation finally becomes apparent to those concerned that they will admit the folly of their ways.

The ACCC by their distortion of the Australian market has caused the creation of hundreds of small ISP who will be in serious financial trouble with the building of the NBN.

A free and open market will ensure competitors invest and compete. A regulated and false competition market will create companies that are not sustainable without assistance and will be short lived.

James I have no financial interest in Telstra but I do maintain an interest in the happenings in Australia. Some are so consumed in their own greedy self interest that they are willing to abandon their principles and the best interests of Australia which is sad.

@well ok but... Anonymous -- 28/08/08 (in reply to #320110763)

funny you should ask this, i saw the exact same question, may have even been asked by sydney to a few telstra haters who are always here bagging, but in reverse. why do they only bag telstra for being too expensive, when they let shell, bmw blah, blah off the hook. why aren't they donning the grim reaper outfit and letting rip into these others too?

distortion? barry -- 28/08/08 (in reply to #320110796)

wait, so let me get this straight, deruglation is bad because..
"The ACCC by their distortion of the Australian market has caused the creation of hundreds of small ISP's"

so creating a situation where small business's can stick their foot in the door is bad right? perhaps your right maybe the ACCC should peel back regulation and let the big boys play, you know, those companies all ready well enough establish to be able to fork out the huge dough for infastructure, but wait, aww whats that westnet, iinet, internode, and other small ISP's, you dont have the capital to invest + 1 billion in some telephone lines, thats okay, optus will provide the competition to keep telstra in check...what, what do you mean you saw optus and telstra's ceo's sitting down to lunch together, :O collusion, what no, that wouldnt be in their interests at all,

look syd i agree in an ideal capitalist economy that regulation would be a bad idea, but this is australia with huge distances between anywhere, but that aside, telstra and optus are now in such a dominant market posistion that its nigh on impossible for any1 to get their foot in the door... not without *gasp* rich multinational corporations, who are, may i say, not australian owned ;)

Foreign investment Simon -- 01/09/08 (in reply to #320110762)

So Sydney, you sould be lobbying srtrongly against the car manufacturers, the medical industry, IT, minimg and agriculture? All these industries recieve Govt funding and are majority foreign owned. Given the small amount of Govt funding for telcos, you should be looking at medical, IT and mining as the larget private foreign benefactors of govt money.

Also, it is pointless attacking the ACCC as they uphold the laws created by the Fed Govt. Lobby the Rudd govt if you don't like the rules they make.

sydney has shares! Nick -- 20/09/08 (in reply to #320110195)

sydney, how come this Telstra site says you have shares?

http://www.nowwearetalking.com.au/shareholder-stories/sydney-lawrence-from-manly-qld

Syd! my hero! rofl -- 20/09/08 (in reply to #320112359)

rolf, he's 66 and retired but he looks 50 and feels 30, and swapping jobs after 25 years, u know just to beat boredom, jeezim glad every1 in this world isnt as impatient as you syd :P rofl!

Oh come on... Lord Watchdog -- 28/08/08 (in reply to #320110128)

We both go back to God Save the Queen Sydney. :-)

Oh what a tangled web we weave. Sydney Lawrence -- 29/08/08

Barry it is true that the ACCC by its regulation does create competition. BUT that competition is FALSE, distorts the market and encourages entry of those who, in the long term, the market cannot support.

It is an undeniable fact that because of its size our market in Australia cannot support the large number of ISP we now have. Some must go bust and they will be the smaller and weaker.

So what has the ACCC accomplished? A good job for themselves, a warm fuzzy feeling for Government and heartbreak for those who are forced into bankruptcy.

and cheap adsl ;) barry -- 30/08/08 (in reply to #320110849)

and dont forget the choice for cheap ADSL, thanks to the ACCC i can go with westnet or the like and save a bundle by not going with telstra... and before you use the 'but their leeching off telstra' argument... leeches dont contribute 2 billion profit to Wholesales bottom line >.<... as for the competition is false, yeah, so? true competition isnt going to work in australia, and its not as if ACCC is subsidising competition their just mandating that telstra, as an australian company, must run in the interests of the australian public (not the ~1% shareholders), i mean its certainly not hurting telstra as much as they like people to think, i mean a $6 billion profit?!?! $2 billion of that from the 'unjust unfair false competition'... telstras just pissed off they cant use their expansive PSTN to rip off a few more bucks for their bottom line

Progressive economics. T.Boon Pickens. -- 30/08/08 (in reply to #320110916)

Barry Sydney is correct. The only way that competition can be guaranteed in a free market system is for all to invest and compete with regard to their investment costs and required ROI.

Telstra should not be required, by the ACCC, to provide support for opponents. Where there are unavoidable bottlenecks Telstra should nominate the necessary charges for supply. This false market created by the ACCC will end in financial collapse for the hundreds of small ISP. Many thanks ACCC.

@Progressive economics. Anonymous -- 30/08/08 (in reply to #320110927)

In that case Telstra should be forced to compensate the government, tax payers and its competitors as the CAN is a declared assett which was provided to them with these provisions in place.

We do not have a large enough markt in Australia for competiing fixed line infrastructure. In fact there's not a single expert out there (with the excption perhaps of those on Telstra's payroll) that would argue we should have competition at the infrastructure level.

It was attempted in the 90's in two capital cities and cost the two competing companies billions. Shortly after this catastrohpy the ACCC was created (that's right the ACCC didn't exist back then) and I can guarantee that without it there wouldn't be any competition. It simply wouldn't exist.

T.Boon Pickens. -- 30/08/08 Rex Alfie Lee -- 01/09/08 (in reply to #320110927)

So you obviously think that Microsoft should be allowed to continue their carnage of all of the other major software companies in the way they always have. Telstra is a monopoly Mr Pickens & abuses its power on a consistent & persistent basis. If let run loose the cost of access to the Internet would skyrocket & if you actually thought before you wrote you'd know this to be true. Before Optus came the price of phone calls across Oz was not particularly competitive with overseas markets.

You are as dumb as Sidley Mr Pickens. You don't make any sense at all because you don't know what you're talking about.

The ACCC has given us all access that is marginally cost-effective. The truth is that we are so far behind Asia in our broadband access that we cannot contend in the larger market. As for smaller ISPs falling by the wayside, this will happen whether the ACCC is there or not. This happens in all business arenas that are perceived as hot property. Eventually it passes a point of no return & from then on it is hard to make it work. You actually have to know something to be able to do this.

If you really have something worth listening to other than just hearing another's point & agreeing with it because you want to back up your share company perhaps try footie chat lines. That's the correct path for you.

Rex - 1/9/8 Rex = FAIL -- 01/09/08 (in reply to #320110997)

You keep spluttering the Telstra monopoly line and you are now naively trying to compare it with Microsoft.

Telstra is actually financially smaller then it's major competitors (Singtel, Vodaphone, Orange), Microsoft has no rivals that come close in it's operating system and Web browser industry.

Telstra now accounts for about 55% of all telecommunications revenue in Australia, Microsoft still generates over 85% of paid operating system licensing costs. The exact figure is impossible to measure due to the fact many of the smaller privately owned communications companies / resellers refuse to release their revenue figures.

Microsoft has licensing deals with most major manufacturers meaning buyers have no choice but to buy a third party product with MS software pre-installed. Telstra is forced to open their infrastructure to competing companies to assist competition, the only time this does not happen is when there are technical limitations or when it is not profitable enough for those other companies to enter a certain market (all too often).

You should open both your eyes Rex, it may give you a better perspective of reality.

Rex = Fail 1/9/8 Anonymous -- 01/09/08 (in reply to #320111059)

Perhaps you should open your eyes. Telstra now (and always has) retained a 90% market share in Fixed line revenue. When we consider that it's only fixed line access that's really at the heart of this whole broadband debate then yes Telstra and Microsoft is in fact a good comparison. If People Telecom's latest resold ADSL 2+ rates are anything to go by then we can pretty much assure we're all screwed if Telstra gets its way with anything.

ACCC simon -- 05/09/08 (in reply to #320110849)

Many of you keep accusing the ACCC of creating fals competition in this country. The ACCC simply enforces the laws of this country, they do not make them. If you want to change the law, you need to lobby the Govt or the political parties.
You wouldn't argue with the Police about the laws they enforce, you argue with the legislators (then, maybe you would, but I wouldn't recommend it) Are you expecting the ACCC not to enforce the law and dicharge its legislative obligations? Attacking the ACCC is simply pointless.

Sydney Lawrence Rex Alfie Lee -- 01/09/08

You speak of my IQ as if you knew but the fact is if one has a lesser IQ you can never truly understand another due to the fact that mentally you can't compete. It's like composing a test based on your ability to comprehend a subject for someone who knows the subject better than you do. What ends up happening Mr Lawrence is that the difference may one be one degree but each Q is a degree short. Did you understand that one Sidley or do I have to go through it more slowly for you?

As for Telstra, I personally have not had a bad experience. As a software techie (a real dummy obviously) I loved Telecom Australia as a CSO there. Nonetheless, I watched the change that occurred over the years in a great company that pulled in many millions per year from virtually every other telecommunications company in the world via an R & D department using a standing budget that would rival CSIRO. The first thing that happened was that Optus was given entry & Telstra took there R & D & poured it into the toilet within about 6 months. Yes, they took their bat & ball & went home.

Then the contract that Telstra made when Li'l Johnnie K-K-Khoward sold off Telstra 1 & 2 was to provide an equitable service across Australia. They never have. Never! Yes, this is a big country but Telstra made all of the infrastructure when it was a public company not a private one & so everything that Telstra used to inhibit progress belonged to us as individuals. Johnnie in his wisdom gave it away but left the infrastructure under Telstra's control. This would be tantamount to handing the earth to Satan & saying to the big red guy, "You can control the weather patterns." I'm not a Chrispian (lion crisps) but I do see a little irony in the monopoly relationship & therefore the comparison.

The next broken contract comes from a litany of interfering with access to their network for other providers by overcharging their competitors to price them out of the market. Equitable service was to be provided but never was without the ACCC. Without the ACCC to hold them down Telstra would be screwing us harder than they do. They've proven this so many times I hardly have to find examples but in every other major country the cost of providing network services has gone down markedly but here it continues to rise. Why is that Sydley?

Finally we have Clark Kent aka Hitler himself in the form of mild-mannered superslime, Sol (sun shines out of his butt) Trujillo. In his last 2 positions Sol managed to decimate 2 telecommunications orgs. Check it out Sidley. Sol does not care about anyone but Sol. He doesn't give a crap about the shareholders, only his bottom line where the sun peeps out.

So Sidley & BTW I found one of your previous postings about me. I didn't realise I made you so unsettled. You think I'm mad. Perhaps I am. I just think that you don't think. So you don't have shares Sidley. I don't believe you or my previous statement holds true. Your opinion with such a bastion of intricate insights have browned in the quagmire of my elicitations. You do have a right to an opinion Sidley but it would help if there was a modicum of contextual reality included & not just some baseless dribblings that you would like to think.

Shall I pass you another bong Rex? Rex = FAIL -- 01/09/08 (in reply to #320110996)

Man you must have been really stoned!

Comparing Telstra to Satin?
TRL being decimated within 6 months? From memory TRL was still doing plenty of research up until about 2004!!!
Clark Kent & Hitler = Sol, how about this one ... two girls + 1 cup = Rex Alfie Lee

Man are you a real loser!

Gutless! Rex Alfie Lee -- 02/09/08 (in reply to #320111060)

Poor gutless! I see you couldn't put your own name & then make strident attempts at proving your education level. Satin is a material used on sewing machines.

As for the comment "two girls + 1 cup = me; you poor unfortunate.

BTW, I gave up dope a long time ago but since I answered your comment I guess I'm off the bandwagon; & after so many years. Bugger!

Be fair Alfie. Sydney Lawrence -- 01/09/08

Rex Alfie Lee I do take exception to your statement that I think you are mad. That is certainly not my opinion and I do not believe that I have ever made a remark that insinuates that. If I have, or have been thought to have projected that opinion, I apologise to you.

Your reflections on Telstra have been, I think, created by your perceived decision that Telstra has, by their business decisions, caused you some hurt. That is understandable, but does not excuse your unbelievable ungentlemanly and indeed unAustralian attack on Sol Trujillo.

Sol as possibly the most knowledgeable and respected person in his field in the world needs no defence from me. On a recent visit to Australia, the Sun King, the man voted business person of the century, Rupert Murdoch was asked why he was having talks with Sol Trujillo. Mr Murdoch replied "my meetings with Sol are largely educational for me in the field of world wide communication".

Quite a rap don't you think Rex and I do feel that you do your cause no good when you take cheap shots at Sol or the misspelling of a persons name. I do believe that Senator Conroy will, after fair consideration, choose Australia's Telstra to build the NBN which will be built speedily and to the advantage of all Australians.

Sydney You are Correct Rex Alfie Lee -- 01/09/08 (in reply to #320111001)

You did not call me mad, your exact phrase was "Sydney Lawrence -- 18/06/08 Goodness gracious me Rex Alfie Lee for heavens sake take a cold shower and have a good lie down. Your ravings verge on lunacy and are certainly not the feelings of most Australians. O.K. you had a bum deal years ago when you worked for Telstra or the PMG".

As for my IQ, I feel it comfortable that within the general populace I hold my own quite well.

Once again & in response to your, "I have NO Telstra shares", I have no personal greivance with Telstra. My grievance is with monopolies per se. My grievance is to the length that Telstra goes to manipulate the market.

I come originally from Broken Hill. There was a conference some time in the past, I cannot remember when but it was shortly prior to the century/millenia turn. A large proportion was devoted to how slow the transmission rates from the Internet were affecting country-siders. Telstra, in their wisdom, placed a temporary tower within a few kilometres of Broken Hill to manipulate the proceedings. At the end of the conference workmen arrived to pull down the tower but because they were caught by local station owners the tower was then made permanent to protect their facade. This case is also not unique.

Telstra have interfered with ADSL2 in Tasmania charging the other providers so much that iiNet, Netspace & pretty much every small national ISP to drop ADSL2 as an offering here in Tassie. I do not use ADSL because Telstra have, in their wisdom, utilised the split-pair system between houses here & our house is one of those. I do have wireless without using Telstra but that has only become viable recently because Telstra's customer plans are so ridiculously priced that it is not viable for me. I do have a good job BTW. I actually don't care that Telstra charges as much as they do to me because if I'm a big enough idiot to use their services & have options available then I deserve them.

Telstra have made it clear by everything they have done & continue to do to make data services as expensive as they possibly can. Understand that the cost of sending an SMS is about a long way below a cent for Telstra. The cost of a phone call is more expensive but a 10-minute call probably costs Telstra less than a cent. Everything has an incredible cost added. Consider the maintenance of the home phone. This costs Telstra a bundle but a very large proportion of home phones have almost no problems for most of their life. So every dollar paid for maintenance per month is banked. The only real cost to Telstra here is electricity & there amount is probably, taking into account how many phone lines there are in Oz multiplied by the very low charge is substantial.

The costs for electricity for mobiles is equally high with huge power-hungry receivers/transmitters everywhere. Other than that there is no cost to Telstra unless they are leasing business space or land for their towers but I'm pretty sure that most of their towers are based on their public land or their own. This comes from when they were a public company

They should never have been given control of the data transmission. As for Sol Trujillo, you have your opinion but mine is pretty low of him. He may be a great Dad or wonderful talker but running an Australian business he should not be. Telstra works in a very similar way to Microsoft by abuse of power.

I don't like monopolies that abuse their power & I don't like Telstra or Sol Trujillo.

Senator Conroy Rex Alfie Lee -- 02/09/08 (in reply to #320111001)

I watched with a great deal of interest the debate between Conroy & Coonan. From a specifically managerial perspective I believe that Coonan didn't do that bad a job. Awarding the G9 fibre-optic was a far as I can tell a bad decision but technically she has no idea about the industry. This was clearly shown in the debate because Conroy caught her out several times. That said, if it were not for Coonan, in a position that had minimal powers to create change, she did manage to keep Telstra in check to some degree.

Conroy, having a much greater knowledge of what is required for data services will hopefully come to a decision that will place Telstra & the G9 in front-on competition.

Telstra laughed at the G9 & their capacity to compete with them until Germany's Telekom came into the mix. Suddenly Telstra realised that they were in for a fight given that Telekom has the capacity to take Telstra on, possibly by themselves. Without the competition Telstra will continue to provide a second-rate service at high cost.

The G9's idea of supplying fibre-optic to every household is one I view with a great deal of derision. With UMTS, there will be little need to go the last kilometre to a thousand or so homes. In the country areas this may well be required but I doubt it. The cost of laying it compared with the cost of receivers/transmitters that cover a wide range would possibly need to be compared. The speeds offered by UMTS are certainly high enough for the general home user, even those using it to download movies even at high definition.

Large organisations will require much larger bandwidth but they should also pay for it rather than the individual.

I look forward with interest in Conroy's decision but I dearly hope he has the sense to not give Telstra another monopoly power or else split the company.

Really? :) James -- 06/09/08 (in reply to #320111069)

Germany's TeleKom is in the G9/terria mix? thank god maybe the germans can do what (sorry Syd) the australian companies can't seem to do for their life, fast, effiecient, simple, cheap telecommuncations/data services, I was going to put realiable in the mix, but im handing points to telstra on as they are reliable, but the fact they charge a premium for the 'service' of reliability, syd, I'm with you that aussies should support aussie companies, but tesltra's had there chance, they've dropped the ball on this one, let someone else take a crack at it, i mean if teltra want an NBN on there terms they should jump the +4 billion from the govern and build it themselves, with the return they want on their investment it should be fine by their investors, i mean unless the government still pays someone the build the public NBN... then :O telstra wouldnt be able to charge the prices they need to make there ambitious return on their investment... hence i believe their interest in building the NBN for the government...

"True Competition" Anonymous -- 06/09/08

I think Dr Phils best quote...

"Telstra is no longer public property" was one of his best. Unfortunately under the Howard/Coonan years Telstra suffered as being used as a political football.

Atleast Conroy has stated that they are a private company and the Government has no jurisdiction in the running of a private company.

Unfortunately this is not what Singtel/Optus wants to hear cause it may end their "free ride" under the Howard/Coonan yeras!! They need to wake up & start investing themselves for a change instead of leaving it to Telstra!!

AThe decision will be "political" in determining the NBN...Krudd/Conroy are under the pump to deliver & will they risk the future to an $8 dollar shelf company like "Tierra"??

In fact the shareholders own the PSTN and only they will determine what happens with it!!

True Competition Rex Alfie Lee -- 08/09/08 (in reply to #320111411)

Without Telstra losing control of the lines there will never be true comp in Oz. Telstra need to be held accountable & also need to have their market monopoly removed --> forcibly.

How it really works Anonymous -- 16/09/08

Read here to figure out what its all about.
http://erijustice.50webs.com/index.html

@their "free ride" under the Howard/Coonan barry -- 20/09/08

weee guess what i just came across, while i cant give out the phone number as proof, optus wholesaling telstra a line, telstra is renting the line off optus! :O free ride my arse telstra, optus is giving you the same deal your giving them

Sydney's Shares Anonymous -- 26/09/08

Sydney - you haven't answered why you lied about having Telstra shares. Is that or is that no you in the link (66 years old etc). Why did you not reveal your connection to Telstra? Makes everything you have said on these blogs rather worthless mate

random question? james -- 27/09/08

i got a random question? why do all the telstra proponents refer to optus as an $8 shelf company? i dont actually get the connection, i mean i get the implication that there cheap and dodgy, but the phrase itself is flawed at the very best... someone please to explain?