Having previously worked for Telstra (and Optus Communications), I can tell you that Telstra don't "get it". They are going to be eaten alive on the new media - internet telephony front. Sure, they will pick up some customers, but because they are so slow, and wouldn't know real customer service if it hit them right between the eyes (they hang up on people and there's some incorrect information in their databases), folks are going to mainly go with newer players who deliver on technology, price and customer service. More power to Google. I've seen a lot in my 4 years of running Media Man Australia, and Telstra's going down, and Google's going onward and upward. This should start 'em chatting! PS: how many people read this stuff?
That followed the following comments...
Google’s talking it up so what’s your plan telcos?
Google Talk, plus internet phones, plus broadband delivered through power sockets, is it just me or is anyone else wondering what we’ll need the traditional telcos for in the near future?
I was sitting in an airport lounge reading an article in the Financial Times (Asia) about Google’s foray into communications services with Google Talk and how Google sees communications as its other killer app (along with search of course). The idea among other things is to use an open platform for chat (unlike other instant chat services which you can only use with another user of the same chat service). Google wants everyone chatting with each other.
Add to this the fact that everytime I have frustrating dealings with a traditional telco I fondly remember an article I read months ago about power companies toying with delivering broadband over the electric grid, and you have to wonder how future proof traditional telcos are.
Picture this, I have a broadband connection that is as easy to use as plugging my computer into an electric socket, in any room, I have an Internet phone, and, soon and Internet mobile phone and it’s all charged as the one utility, for instance say I pay one bill for all communications and data services to an electric company and preferably one not addicted to onerous life long “plans” like the telcos do.
I mean truly one bill not a slim discount for having three services with one telco but a fair charge that treats high speed internet and all the associated data and communications services as the utility they are fast becoming.
So what’s your plan?
Best Regards
Greg Tingle
Director
Media Man Australia
