Money and know how are the necessary ingredients for success in modern telecommunications infrastructure. 14 January 2008 .... "Announced by new Federal Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, PIPE Networks' cable will play a key role in the government's plans for a national Fibre to the Node network.

"It has the potential to improve Australia's Internet transmission capacity and increase competition in the Australian telecommunications marketplace. This is great news for Australian Internet users because the result will be faster and cheaper broadband," Conroy said.

"As a firm believer in the value of competition in the telecommunications sector, it is great to see a smart, energetic Australian company doing so well and also having such ambitious plans for the future."........(http://www.itnews.com.au/News/68078,pipe-network-undersea-cable-to-boost-australian-broadband.aspx)

Fast forward: 02 December 2008...... "The failure of Pipe to secure $200 million in bank financing for its 6,700 km submarine cable from Sydney to Guam raises doubts about the ability of other telco infrastructure providers to get funding..... Continued Courtesy:http://www.businessspectator.com.au

Reality: One

The cable has landed

Captain Cook's Endeavour – carrying 94 people, two greyhounds and a milking goat – took one year and eight months to get to Botany Bay, New South Wales. The latest vessel to carry the famous moniker will not take quite that long to deliver Internet traffic to people throughout Australia.
The newly-named 9,120-kilometre "Telstra Endeavour" submarine cable will boost Internet capacity between Australia and the United States and can carry up to 1.28 Terabits per second of traffic.

Telstra Endeavour has taken 18 months to build and has been transmitting data since mid September. Melbourne-based Mr Peter Moon was chosen by Sydney radio personality Tim Webster after a nationwide competition encouraging all Australians to name the cable.

"I chose the name in honour of Captain Cook and his flagship Endeavour being the link between Hawaii and Australia," Mr Moon said.



Reality: Two

While our competitors continue to look for a free ride, we've got on with the job. This includes investing $50 million of our shareholder's money to lay two fibre optic cables across Bass Strait to provide Tasmanians with reliable Internet connectivity. This considerable investment was made without any government prompting or handouts.

All that, with not so much as a whisper. It's called quiet achievements!

Vasso when will some of Telstra disparagers awake to the horrific fact that the world financial markets are in turmoil and funding for projects almost impossible.

We are seeing once powerful Australian companies fall by the wayside as funding becomes unattainable and Banks are unable to extend finance. It is beyond comprehension that Optus will obtain the necessary capital to build the NBN and if they are granted the build the Australian taxpayer will soon bear the brunt of the Government folly.

I am no longer persuaded that Telstra should invest the untold billions in the NBN and it may be better for Telstra to supply the Australian public the required system by other methods.

Sydney, It takes intelligence to figure that out. ONI could get the capital but attempting to build NBN will be it's downfall and drag the Rudd Government with it. Albeit, I am delighted with the words of The Minister of Transport, Anthony Albanese pertaining to my other Icon... " Why should Qantas be discriminated against because it was first? "

QANTAS STATEMENT

SYDNEY, 3 December 2008: In response to recent media speculation, Qantas Airways Limited
confirms that it is exploring a potential merger with British Airways plc via a dual-listed company
structure.

There is no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming and a further announcement will be
made in due course, if appropriate. Any transaction would also comply fully with Qantas' obligations under the Qantas Sale Act .

Telstra does not need to merge but desperately needs to renovate its copper network. It is astounding that The Telecommunication Minister does not sanction the renovation work without involving every man and his dog in a talk fest and creating a kangaroo court.

I find it very disappointing that Telstra - a company that seems to pride its self on the way it conducts its self in the business world and how they provide to there customers has felt the need to trivialise and try and circumvent the tender process on the NBN... it seems to spit in the face of all those that conducted themselves in a professional manner in the tender process on this crucial Australian Infrastructure issue... there actions seem antagonistic and self serving... if it was not in the best interests of Telstra to tender for it then why circumvent the process and pressure the government to hand it to do it the "Telstra Way".

The whole farce seems to be a deliberate act of corporate bullying and profiteering on Telstra's part.

all i have to say is have some professional integrity and play the game fair or don't play it...

Telstra had genuine reasons for taking the course of action it did. You seem to single out Telstra for reasons best known to yourself. All the proponents did not strictly abide by the 'rules' which were stretched in so many ways. Chief of which, Telstra's break up which, according to the Minister ,was not even on his agenda. If the panel of experts feel the same way you do they are at liberty to reject Telstra's proposal and be left with a pile of junk mail.