Yesterday
Alex Waislitz’s Thorney swoops on failed Seek target Xref
The billionaire businessman voted against a $41 million takeover of the employment software group, despite the deal being recommended by the board.
- Jemima Whyte, Emma Rapaport and Tess Bennett
January
TPG turns on its Optus tie-up, hoping to steal Telstra customers
The company’s network-sharing agreement with its rival, signed off by competition regulators in September, will expand its coverage into regional areas.
- Jenny Wiggins
What will Berejiklian do next?
It mightn’t be in Optus’ interests, but the former NSW premier is back on the campaign trail.
- Hannah Wootton
Oracle in talks with White House to take over TikTok
Under the deal, TikTok’s China-based owner, ByteDance, would retain a stake in the company, but data collection and software updates would be overseen by Oracle.
- Dawn Chmielewski, Kanishka Singh and Milana Vinn
Optus says tough new scam rules are ‘unworkable’
New rules to stop scams are “unworkable and ineffective”, Optus says. But billionaire Andrew Forrest wants the government to go further.
- Jenny Wiggins
Cheap satellite calls could soon be coming to a phone near you
A new generation of providers with low orbiting networks could transform phone use and challenge major telecoms groups like Telstra and Optus within two years.
- Jenny Wiggins
Banker John Wylie wants Telstra to sell off NBN income stream
The fund manager and Telstra shareholder is urging the telco giant to package up cash payments it receives from NBN Co and sell them to boost its stock price.
- Jenny Wiggins
- Opinion
- NBN
NBN-Telstra rethink could unlock billions for internet access: Wylie
If improving internet access is to be done through the NBN, there’s a different and better way for this to be funded.
- John Wylie and Vidhur Rangaswamy
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Telstra’s Vicki.ai a glimpse into the future of Australian business
Telstra’s decision to hive off its AI projects and staff will make other companies take notice. The big consulting groups and tech companies must be loving it.
- Anthony Macdonald
AI can stop phones dropping out, Telstra boss says
Vicki Brady says the telco group’s customers have ‘no appetite’ for phone outages. Her $700 million Accenture deal shows it is getting serious about AI.
- Jenny Wiggins
- Exclusive
- Telecommunications
Telstra spends $700m on massive AI rollout
The telecommunications giant is bringing in Accenture to apply the technology across its entire business as it tries to cut costs and boost returns.
- Jenny Wiggins
December 2024
Ash Barty, Daniel Ricciardo lose Optus roles
“The decision was taken as we looked to rebuild customer trust and focus on the fundamentals,” the telco’s spokeswoman said.
- Myriam Robin
Soul Patts launches $122m Tuas block trade; Jarden on ticket
Shares were priced at $6.10 per share – a 5 per cent discount to last close.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
- Opinion
- Telecommunications
A year of pain for Optus and Telstra means little telcos are winners
Superloop and Aussie Broadband have been taking share in the highly competitive broadband market as their larger rivals restructure and cut jobs.
- Jenny Wiggins
- Opinion
- Rear Window
WiseTech’s Richard White is out. Now for his joy
Do you think the randy professor’s references hit a little differently now?
- Myriam Robin
Telstra snaps up Boost Mobile, delivering Paul Keating a $40m payday
The telecommunications giant has acquired the specialist pre-paid mobile phone business for $140 million. The former prime minister owns 29 per cent.
- Jenny Wiggins
Telstra acquires Boost Mobile in $140m deal
Investor sources told this column that Boost Mobile’s acquisition price was just under $140 million, which did not include a meaningful deferred payment.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
November 2024
- Sponsored
- Superloop
Challenger brands biting off more of the broadband market
As cost-of-living pressures bite, Australia’s telecommunication challenger brands continue to grow market share at the expense of industry incumbents by focusing on delivering value.
Sponsored
by Superloop
New Optus boss promises company ‘reset’ after horror two years
The incoming CEO says he will draw on a decade of experience at the national broadband network to focus on customer service amid tight household budgets.
- Jenny Wiggins and Paul Smith
- Sponsored
- Occom
Customer champions: delivering distinctive value as a challenger brand for success
As Australians continue to tighten their belts amid challenging economic times, exemplary customer service is the key for businesses striving to maintain loyalty and stand out in a competitive market.
Sponsored
by Occom
AustralianSuper axes CEO of mobile towers biz
Street Talk understands AustralianSuper has sent Cameron Evans packing three years after he named to the top job.
- Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
October 2024
Optus ‘exploited’ vulnerable people, ACCC alleges
The telco group sold phone plans to people who could not use them at home because there was no Optus coverage where they lived, the competition watchdog claims.
- Jenny Wiggins
Optus disputes ACMA’s ‘not highly sophisticated’ cyberattack claim
The hacker in Optus’ 2022 data breach had “a high degree of knowledge” of the telecommunications group’s confidential systems, Optus has claimed.
- Jenny Wiggins
Australia’s fibre backbone race picks up speed
The Vocus Group’s $5 billion purchase of fibre networks reflects the intensifying competition among companies installing the cables that will handle data for the nation’s digital needs.
- Jenny Wiggins
Former PwC consultants test satellite replacements for copper wires
Satellites orbiting close to Earth will be tested by PwC spin-off Scyne Advisory to see if they can handle mobile phone calls in bad weather.
- Jenny Wiggins