A high level Telstra executive has labelled other potential bidders for the proposed FTTN network as "pretenders" after it was revealed the telco suggested to the government that it attach a multi-million dollar application fee and bond to all its network tender requests.
In preparation for its fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) rollout, the Federal Labor government is resuming its campaign to change legislation to allow it to access the AU$2 billion regional and rural Communications Fund, which the government claims is needed to bankroll part of the network's construction.
The federal government expects to soon announce how it will allocate the AU$600 million in funding it has put on the table for bush broadband infrastructure projects.
Future Fund chief executive Paul Costello yesterday remained tight-lipped in the face of sustained questioning over the fund's stance, as an investor, on the pending legislated separation of Telstra's operations.
Telstra has called for an independent telecommunications adjudicator with the power to make binding price and access decisions, but also wants an independent evaluation of its copper network settled before regulatory reform proceeds.
As the knee-jerk defensive responses to Rudd's "adios" subside and Australia moves on, has Rudd made Australia that little less appealing to the overseas investors he desperately needs to fund his NBN?
In a massive "special edition" of our telco podcast Twisted Wire, we talk to virtually everyone in the telecommunications industry about the break-up of Telstra, including man of the moment, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.
Shareholders got a rude awakening this week as Stephen Conroy made good on industry calls to break up Telstra. Some argue the government has been duplicitous and should be held to account, but those who sit tight may find the new Telstra offers a far better value proposition with better long-term opportunities.
Getting Senator Stephen Conroy's regulatory reform for the telecommunications industry through the parliament would need support from the Senate. On Twisted Wire we ring around to see which parties are supportive and which are against.
Pigs are flying in flocks as Telstra has a change of heart on separation. Given the vitriol of the past few years, Rudd and Conroy deserve credit for bypassing the copper loop and, in so doing, bringing Australia's most big-mouthed telco in line at last.
SingTel-owned Optus has not yet clarified many details of its proposal to build the National Broadband Network, including exactly how it will be funded. In this cartoon, Telstra puts its view of the situation.
A new Goldman Sachs report reinforces the market's conclusion that, whatever the National Broadband Network looks like, it is going to have to be taxpayer-funded and the cheques will be massive.
Federal finance minister Lindsay Tanner says the government will beef up the independence of the Future Fund to remove doubt over its ability to make its own decisions, particularly on Telstra.
The remaking of the post-Trujillo era of Telstra continues apace, with Catherine Livingstone starting to put her own stamp on what was a fractious and fractured boardroom.
The not-so-secret campaign by the Future Fund to evict Donald McGauchie from the chair of Telstra's board doesn't appear to have gained much traction. It is also unclear whether it was necessary.
The Competitive Carriers' Coalition can't afford the services of a lobbyist according to its executive director, David Forman.
The mobile phone industry, often accused of having too many players for the size of the market, may have found a new -- and more sensible -- way to operate in Australia.
Hutchison launched its '3' mobile service in Australia today, unveiling an aggressive pricing scheme which could possibly lead to a price war.
Nokia's E51 combines business functionality with a well appreciated serving of style, making it a highly desirable phone.
The possible ill effects on human health of mobile phones and towers will be studied at a virtual centre comprised of research organisations from Victoria and South Australia.
Do you Google Wave?
If you want attention online, then mention that you have a couple of Google Wave invites to giveaway and watch… Watch it now
Thunderbird 3 takes flight
Thunderbird 3 is finally here, after a gestation period measured in
years. The latest version of Mozilla's fr… Watch it now
Google Chrome beta for Mac
It's not fully baked yet, but Google Chrome for Mac reaches a major milestone with the release of an official … Watch it now
How do you build a smarter planet?
Having problems with complex data center? Simplify your data center now.
Conroy explains his magic filter
Welcome to National Censorship Day
That sinking Tcard feeling
Best Servers
Want to find out what the best servers are?
Check out the top rated here!
Massive iPhone Offer
Get 3 months free access on the $49 cap
Click here for more!
Best Laptops
Check out the best laptops here!
Click here for more.
