Telstra
The world can only exist with a properly working internet service.
The World of Warcraft that is; and Facebook and Twitter and all the other cyber realities that require an efficient communications network.
So obviously most online gamers and Facebook fiends were salivating at the speeds promised by the Federal Government’s National Broadband Network. It was heralded as bringing Australia into the “modern age” of telecommunications with internet speeds faster than Usain Bolt driving a Ferrari.
Continue reading "Dreaming of an internet speed faster than Usain Bolt" »
Are monopolies bad? Of course they are! Monopolies are not interested in competition and represent the ultimate market failure.
We should all know that monopolists will do their utmost to raise prices and stop new competitors. That’s why we all need to be fearful of the monster NBN monopoly.
Yes, Senator Stephen Conroy is a passionate advocate of the NBN and we all know that Malcolm Turnbull keeps the good Senator on his toes regarding the NBN and the monster monopoly that it’s fast turning into.
Continue reading "Who’s afraid of the monster NBN monopoly?" »
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Gerard says:
Economic monopolies are bad enough. The critical problem with the NBN is that this is not only an economic monopoly, it’s a media monopoly. Conroy’s department will be free to impose any conditions on NBN usage that they feel like (big hint: Conroy wants to force ISPs to censor content).… Read more »
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Gerard says:
“I wouldn’t buy a used car off Conroy.” Not even a “fucking fantastic” used car? Read more »
Sometimes it’s tough being a celebrity journalist. Not only do you have to constantly travel to Prague and party with Ben Affleck but you also have to do radio interviews.
Earlier this week I was chatting to a Queensland radio station at about 7.30am when all of a sudden my mobile phone just cut out. Just immediately ceased to function, as if Philip Nitschke had caught it in a bad mood.
I must admit I found this lack of reception strange, given that I was standing in a street in the middle of Sydney—as opposed to, say, Hitler’s bunker.
Continue reading "My iPhone is great - except at making calls" »
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Social Bookmarking Service says:
UoU4C8 This is one awesome blog.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome. Read more »
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Charles Kelly says:
And there you have it - this ironically named “In De Vidual” could be a spokesperson for Luddite “have nots” everywhere. I use an iPhone because it’s REALLY useful - my usage has NOTHING to do with “fashion” or “marketing”. For what they do, Apple iPhones provide the best available… Read more »
The reintroduction of the Competition and Consumer Safeguards Bill is a key step towards delivering a vibrant and competitive telecommunications sector. It is in the interests of all Australians.
The Gillard Government is committed to addressing the mistakes of the past and establishing an effective and efficient telecommunications regulatory framework.
Reforms outlined in the Bill include restructuring the market to promote greater competition and strengthening consumer safeguard measures such as Customer Service Guarantee and the Universal Service Obligation.
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acotrel says:
I like Turnbull. I think he has a streak of decency in him that’s missing from others. But please don’t try to tell me he’s a technology wiz - he’s definitely no Bill Gates, not even a Dick Smith! I know he’s opposed to the NBN, but he must do… Read more »
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Arios says:
God its amazing to see how many shortsighted people there are who like to throw mud at Stephen Conroy without knowing anything about broadband, why we got here and what he is doing about it all. Conroy is easily the best communications minister we have ever had in this country,… Read more »
Telstra likes to talk the talk on customer service but it struggles to walk the walk.
Despite what former Telstra PR boss Phil Burgess liked to tell anyone who would listen, Telstra doesn’t appear to top the list of Australia’s most-loved companies.
Scratch the surface and there is a simmering layer of anger at the country’s biggest telco provider over a range of problems, as evidenced by the sharp increase in complaints about customer service to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) – up 142% in 2008.
Continue reading "Hang up on Telstra, but let them know why" »
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Sue Chambers says:
My mother has Alzheimer’s Disease, and as her authorised contact, I have been telling Telstra for two and a half years that my step father passed away. Telstra continues to call her home, requesting to speak to my step father. Each time Telstra calls, she goes looking for him and… Read more »
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plastid says:
Dear Author http://www.thepunch.com.au ! Absolutely with you it agree. In it something is also to me it seems it is good idea. I agree with you. Read more »
“It is the government’s clear desire for Telstra to structurally separate, on a voluntary and cooperative basis.” - Communications Minister Stephen Conroy.
Let’s cut to the chase. There is nothing “cooperative” about what the government wants to do to Telstra. This morning’s announcement from Stephen Conroy, fulfilling his veiled threats to the giant company pretty much since winning government, is the end of Telstra as we know it. The 600-pound gorilla of the telecommunications industry will never be the same again.
The government’s new laws, flagged late last year when it spectacularly locked Telstra out of the national broadband network project, are designed to break up the company and prevent it from undermining the NBN. In short, Telstra can’t continue to be the dominant force in all corners of the market.
Continue reading "Cooperation with Telstra? Give us a break" »
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Francesco says:
What is the Australia government becoming when it wants to ban a company from participating in a new business opportunity simply because the company has business assets the government wants it to divest. This is anti-competition, anti-capitalist and anti-market. If the company has anti-market operations then leave it to the… Read more »
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Michael says:
Peter of QLD, you are deluded if you think that other companies don’t spend money on infrastructure and you’re even more deluded to praise telstra for what little they have done, did you realise that Telstra was fined millions for deliberately blocking other ISPs from their exchanges? what this means… Read more »
Like most people the only mail I enjoy getting are personal letters, invitations and birthday cards. Like most people I also hate getting bills.
They’re inefficient, a waste of paper, postage and labour. I also hate lining up to pay them, and don’t hang out for “personal interaction” with the lady at the Post Office.
I also never remember to find a post box and when I have something to send by mail usually find it in the bottom of my hand bag ten days after it was due.
Continue reading "Bring on the death of paper billing and paying in person" »
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Cheap Social Bookmarking Service says:
6yjlGu Muchos Gracias for your article. Awesome. Read more »
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David Brereton says:
what does post charge telstra for the service of payment of our bill? Read more »
We always knew Sol Trujillo was a smooth talker. Now we know just how smooth. His replacement at Telstra, David Thodey, will be paid at least $1m, and possibly as much as $4m, less a year.
Details of Thodey’s contract, released to the ASX this morning, actually say more about Trujillo than his successor. Trujillo may not have been able to bend the government to his will but he could sure strike a good deal with a pliant Telstra board.
Thodey, who colleagues say is a good negotiator, will be paid $2m a year. Trujillo got $3m. Thodey could top up his pay with another $7.2m in bonuses if he hits certain targets. Trujillo’s bonuses could run to $10m. If Thodey, and Telstra, hit every target in the coming year, he could earn up to $9.2m. Trujillo took home $13.4m last financial year.
Continue reading "Deal for new Telstra boss shows how good Sol was" »
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sam h says:
get real telstra ...speedy gonzales ripped you off and you simply rolled over for him Read more »
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Damo says:
“Everyone – shareholders, staff, the government and Telstra’s rivals – hope this is a new era for the company after a bruising four years.” Lets be honest. Everyone is hoping for this, but realistically, it ain’t going to happen, is it? Read more »
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