The Australian Telecommunications Industry

For the general public, from media reports, theIn August the Australian government also shook up the
telecommunications industry is in chaos.various cosy telecoms relationships in Australia. They
However reports show a different story. Thefinally revealed the problems Telstra was and is facing.
Australian telecoms industry is in good shapeThis was something that the industry had been aware
particularly since 2000.of for years.
Telecommunications revenues are up by 5.5% in 2005,As a result Telstra's share price fell to more realistic
and it's forecasted to rise another 4.1% for 2006.levels. In early September the government introduced
The average growth for the last five years is 4.6%.its new telecoms Bill into Parliament. For the full (free)
This may or may not have had an impact on why, onanalysis report of the Telco crisis and new legislation
17 August 2005 the Australian Government set infollow the links below.
motion the abandonment of its policy for theWhat does this mean for customers? What does this
operational separation of Telstra by not selling themean for the industry? We can only wait and see.
remaining 51% of Telstra shares.