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February 16, 2009

A pat on the back for Telstra

Regular Bleeding Edge readers will be aware that we regularly criticise Telstra for ... well, let's not get into that right now ... but we must acknowledge that they have done a superb job in responding to the Victorian bushfire disaster. The details are on their Nowwearetalikng blog, and may we say how refreshing it is to see a post on that site that must make its employees proud, rather than yet another hysterical, bullying rant.

Telstra has worked hard to restore services, converted public phones to provide free calls for victims, even gathered 3000 mobile phone chargers to replace those that would have been reduced to ashes.

And the performance of Telstra's Next G network during the emergency indicates something that we continue to acknowledge in print: Telstra is a first-rate network provider, and Next G is a fine example of that. We wouldn't dream of using any other mobile network. Coincidentally, in Thursday's Green Guide, we've got some complimentary things to say about Telstra and Next G that don't relate to the fires.

It's too bad some of the zealots on the Telstra blog couldn't refrain from trying to use the tragedy as leverage for getting Telstra back into the NBN scheme. The only reason they're not participating is the failed brinkmanship that Sol Trujillo and his amigos unwisely practised. They really ought to clear those comments off the site, because they're not worthy of the company.

That aside, Telstra and its staff deserve the greatest praise for their performance when the chips were down. Well done!

Posted by cw at February 16, 2009 06:32 PM

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Comments

Agree, you may not realise that behind the scenes the command and control fire radio network (ICC)for much of the public and private land in Victoria is managed by Telstra.

When the chips are down, the emergency response sections of Telstra and the NOC staff are superb.

Posted by: Dale at February 16, 2009 08:02 PM

It is great to see the great people of Telstra shine through for a change.

The @BigPondTeam on Twitter hit the ground running last Monday morning when I asked them and they have not stopped since.

@BigPondTeam Big thanks to Adelaide for their support today; rough count is $2k for the #bushfires. Thats 60kg of snags, 8L of sauces & 48 loafs of bread.

Posted by: Stephen [TypeKey Profile Page] at February 16, 2009 08:19 PM