Synopsis
Telstra may have made a number of key strategic errors. Despite operating within a regulated environment it has sought to obstruct the development of public policy based on principles of open access to networks. With the emergence of a national broadband network based on fibre and operated by a firm funded by both the public and private sectors changes to Telstra’s strategic approach and leadership team are likely. The Trujillo/McGauchie era will draw to a close with some notable failures potentially due to the sentiment that Telstra felt it had grown to such a size that it was ‘too big to fail’. Though the outlook is uncertain Telstra may emerge in a different, potentially more profitable form and will continue to make an important contribution to the telecommunications industry in this Australia. Incumbent providers in other markets have successfully adapted their business models to compete successfully in an open access environment.
