Thodey, Lundy on our telco future
This week, Kate Lundy speaks out against the latest draft report from the Senate Select Committee on the NBN, while David Thodey explains his challenges one year on from landing the top job at Telstra.
Twisted Wire
Tune in weekly for Twisted Wire, Phil Dobbie's weekly podcast on the tangled mess that is Australia's telecommunications industry.
Phil Dobbie
Phil Dobbie has a wealth of radio and business experience. He started his career in commercial radio in the UK and, since coming to Australia in 1991, has held senior marketing and management roles with Telstra, OzEmail, the British Tourist Authority and other telecommunications, media, travel and advertising businesses.
Latest Posts
Mobile VoIP and the Interphone study
Mobile operators have two challenges right now; the rise of mobile VoIP and the latest research findings from Interphone.
The NBN'S 500-page fairy tale
Fairy tales take place in some distant land of dragons, knights and damsels in distress. They are not concerned about complex political situations, incumbent telcos and angry shareholders. Building an NBN there would be a comparatively straightforward process and they'd all live happily ever after.
Can ACMA keep the bastards honest?
Telco customer service is a disgrace. Some in the industry, including Dan Baker from the Technology Research Institute in the US, say rising complaints are a consequence of complex services. But it's not the technical issues being escalated to the TIO, but the issue of complaints not being addressed by an industry that doesn't seem to care.
Will the NBN limit competition?
There's little doubt that the NBN will reduce the number of internet service providers (ISPs) in Australia. Smaller ISPs will disappear as the need for local infrastructure will disappear and larger ISPs dominate. We saw it with the arrival of broadband, now it will happen again.
Did NBN Co really listen on Layer 3?
There's no doubt that NBN Co has a big job on its hands and some fundamental decisions need to be made quickly. The question is, are they being made too quickly? In this week's Twisted Wire we look at whether, in the rush to reach conclusions, the NBN Co's own consultation process has not been as inclusive as it should be.
How low can Telstra go?
The recurring argument over the debate of the proposed split of Telstra into two divisions is whether it'll be bad news for shareholders.
What will the NBN look like?
Last December, the NBN Co issued a consultation paper in which it outlined the proposed wholesale offering to retailers. The paper discussed the technology standards that would be used and where on the network the points of interconnect (PoIs) should be located.
Paul Fletcher versus the NBN
The Opposition has been strangely quiet on telecommunications since the outspoken Nick Minchin relinquished the portfolio and subsequently dipped out of politics, with current Shadow Minister Tony Smith barely daring to voice an opinion.
iiNet's Malone on Netspace and beyond
The hot topic on the internet industry this week is the $40m acquisition of Netspace by iiNet. On today's Twisted Wire Michael Malone, CEO of iiNet, says we can expect more acquisitions down the track, but not in the very near future.