NewsBite

Telecommunications

February

TPG Telecom CEO Iñaki Berroeta

TPG Telecom says regional push is growing customer numbers

The country’s third-largest telco, which owns Vodafone and iiNet, is sharing a network with Optus, and hopes this will increase its mobile market share.

Optus executive Maurice McCarthy, who was in charge of customer success, is leaving the telco group in June.

Optus customer executive the first to leave under new CEO Stephen Rue

Maurice McCarthy’s resignation marks the first big executive departure under new boss Stephen Rue as he tries to restore the embattled telco group’s reputation.

SpaceX’s mega rocket Starship launches for a test flight from Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.

Labor says it will back high-tech bush mobile phone satellite network

The proposed law would oblige and support companies like Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom to extend coverage across the country even where there are no towers.

Aussie Broadband’s outgoing chief executive Phillip Britt.

Aussie Broadband fights for share in ‘hot’ market

The company’s AI-powered budget brand Buddy Telco is not gaining as many new customers as expected because competitors have been cutting prices.

Superloop boss Paul Tyler is confident the so-called “challenger” brand will keep winning new internet broadband customers

Superloop net loss halves as challenger brands take market share

CEO Paul Tyler says customers are ditching the big three telcos after Superloop’s loss dropped to $7.8 million.

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Telstra CEO Vicki Brady

‘Cement and extend’ dominance: Telstra spends $800m on mobile network

Shares rose after the telecoms giant said it will return $750 million to investors and posted a higher profit for the first half of the financial year.

Telstra’s Vicki Brady says the AI revolution needs the right infrastructure.

Telstra mulls putting its $200m data centre business on the block

The telecoms giant has asked investment banks for their best ideas on what to do with the assets amid heightened demand for AI-adjacent infrastructure.

NBN Co chief executive Ellie Sweeney

New NBN chief Ellie Sweeney sharpens cost-cutting amid $564m loss

The government-owned broadband network operator has reduced its half-year deficit by trimming maintenance and marketing costs and raising prices.

Rich Lister Alex Waislitz.

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.

January

TPG Telecom boss Iñaki Berroeta is hoping to win customers away from Telstra

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.

It’s a while since Galdys Berejiklian overtly campaigned for the Liberal Party, but she’s back.

What will Berejiklian do next?

It mightn’t be in Optus’ interests, but the former NSW premier is back on the campaign trail.

The White House is trying to find a way around the US ban on TikTok.

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.

Optus has objected to proposed new  laws designed to stop Australians getting spammed.

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.

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.

Tanarra founder and Telstra shareholder John Wylie believes the company’s stock price would get a boost from securitising income it receives from NBN Co.

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.

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Telcos complain NBN is unfairly and unnecessarily competing in the enterprise market. But their complaints are unlikely to make much difference.

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.

Vicki Brady’s going all-in with a consulting firm she knows well.

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.

Accenture global CEO Julie Sweet (left) has struck a joint venture with Telstra boss Vicki Brady.

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.

Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady has singled out AI as one of the company’s key priorities.

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.

December 2024

A casualty of the Kelly Bayer Rosmarin era: Ash Barty is no longer Optus’ chief inspiration officer

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.

Former TPG chairman David Teoh.

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.

Aussie Broadband and Superloop are battling each other for market share in an intensely competitive telecommunications market.

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.

WiseTech founder Richard White at the company’s investor day.

WiseTech’s Richard White is out. Now for his joy

Do you think the randy professor’s references hit a little differently now?

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating was the initial funder of Boost Mobile.

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.

Jason Haynes, CEO of Boost Mobile.

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.

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/companies/telecommunications