Telstra Country Wide: "funding, backflip, and email"  Telstra Under Fire The integrity of Telstra Country Wide (TCW) in question following negotiations with the Gippsland Portal, read on... By Emma Kae - 12th November 2002 - Back to News Telstra has come under fire with recent allegations that include phone tapping, possibly interference within the course of justice, and committing perjury.
Closer to Home
Closer to home, complaints about Telstra Countrywide's integrity and quality of service are also mounting.
Telstra Countrywide is the regionally focused branch of Telstra. According to www.telstra.com, this division claims to provide "services and support for regional Australia". It has built its reputation on warm and fuzzy tales of sponsorship, pasting the label on high profile events such as assistance for drought management earlier this year. First impressions of Telstra Countrywide are certainly favourable, but when you scrape away the carefully erected marketing framework, what has Telstra Countrywide actually offered to regional communities such as Gippsland? We are interested in getting your feedback (scroll down to find out more).
The Gippsland Portal, in an effort to extend, develop and maintain the provision of quality services for our online community, approached Telstra Countrywide, based on the company's focus for improving regional services, to enquire about the level of sponsorship that may be available. The initial reaction was very positive, and resulted in a number of meetings between Telstra Countrywide representatives John Iskra and Peter Ward and members of the Gippsland Portal Production Team Antony Svasek, Joel Edwards and Gareth Williams.
Throughout the duration of these meetings, Telstra Countrywide continuously indicated that they had intentions of pursuing a sponsorship role in the development of the Gippsland Portal. Emphasis was placed on the promotion of Telstra Countrywide services such as dial-up Internet access and ADSL through the Gippsland Portal in exchange for further funding. With trust now established between the two parties, detailed information about the Gippsland Portal infrastructure was given to the representatives of Telstra Countrywide. Following this disclosure, Telstra Countrywide announced that they viewed the Gippsland Portal as a "competitor" and would be unable to offer sponsorship after all.
How is Telstra in competition with the Gippsland Portal?
Telstra is traditionally seen as a telecommunication company that provides phone and Internet services. In recent times, Telstra have been throwing their money at various projects such as the development of a portal solution not unlike the Gippsland Portal. Overexpenditure in such areas has resulted in a massive slump in profit for the year. more (The Age) more (CNN). Telstra is now desperate to get some return on investment.
At the same time Telstra Countrywide were negotiating support for the Gippsland Portal, they were also approaching the councils of Gippsland with the intention of selling each of them Telstra's Portal Solution (TOPS), an application that already exists in the form of the Gippsland Portal. For how much you ask?
The price for this unnecessary duplication was quoted at $480,000 for set up and an additional $360,000 per annum. These costs are just for the privilege of utilising Telstra's Portal Solution did not include the additional costs that would be involved maintaining the websites (estimated at $110,000 to $250,000). This is hundreds of thousands of dollars that could be spent by the councils on improving Gippsland's economics, education and environment.
The Gippsland Portal has evidence of this in emails, SMS messages, and witnesses, but is currently seeking legal advice as to whether this information can be made public due to possible breach of confidentiality reasons.
So why is Telstra Countrywide trying to sell expensive software packages to Gippsland municipalities that already exists and have been funded and supported by the State Government?
-
Do you think Telstra should be focusing their efforts on connectivity and telephony in regional areas?
-
Do you think the councils should be spending the above sums of money on a Telstra portal solution?
Do you have any feedback regarding Telstra?
The Gippsland Portal is going to make a presentation to Telstra, to illustrate feedback from Gippslanders across the region. We would love for you to participate and have your say, either good or bad.
 Poll: Are you satisfied with the service of Telstra Countrywide? Vote Now
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
Related Articles- Gippsland secures $288M country roads and bridges commitment under national government
The Nationals will restore the Country Roads and Bridges Program, providing Victoria's 48 regional councils $1.5 million annually for four years to repair roads, bridges and local infrastructure. - Yarragon weekend escape offers country hospitality, local flavours, shopping and scenic West Gippsland adventures
Yarragon offers an easy West Gippsland weekend escape from Melbourne, combining boutique shopping, local food and wine, scenic walks, galleries, markets and welcoming country accommodation. - Gippsland small business triumphs with award-winning High Country Hooch Distilling Enterprise at Glenaladale near Bairnsdale
High Country Hooch Distilling owners Paul and Leanne Poulter won Best New Business at the Gippsland Business Awards, growing their Glenaladale venture into a handcrafted spirits and tasting-room destination. - Martin Cameron backs Regional road funding to fix dangerous, neglected Latrobe Valley roads and bridges
A proposed $288 million Country Roads and Bridges program would give Latrobe City $1.5 million annually for four years to repair and upgrade local roads and bridges. - Victorian government funding to help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production, create jobs and boost housing supply
Victorian government funding will help Drouin West Timber and Truss expand production with robotics, create six jobs, boost housing construction capacity and strengthen Gippsland's local building supply chain. - Mirboo North stadium funding still awaited after decade of community campaigning for modern sporting facility
Mirboo North continues seeking funding for a new stadium after more than a decade of campaigning. Danny O’Brien is urging the Education Minister to support redevelopment. - Six Latrobe Valley businesses receive funding to diversify, boost productivity and strengthen supply chains during economic transition
Six Latrobe Valley businesses will receive funding through the Gippsland Supply Chain Resilience Program to improve productivity, purchase equipment, expand markets and strengthen supply chains amid regional economic transition. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
New nurse-to-patient ratios have passed Parliament, with Gippsland hospitals reclassified, but workforce shortages and funding pressures raise concerns over implementation and patient care. - East Gippsland Landcare Groups secure funding for environmental projects and community conservation across the region
East Gippsland Landcare groups received 22 project and 11 support grants under the 2026 Victorian program, funding habitat restoration, weed management, biodiversity, education and volunteer activities. - Regional hospitals face staffing and funding pressures as new nurse-to-patient ratios take effect across Gippsland health services
East Gippsland Shire Council is installing two louvered roofs at Bairnsdale Library, improving shade, weather protection and outdoor activities, with works expected to take two weeks. - East Gippsland Council calls for fairer forestry transition funding, greater transparency and investment in affected communities before state election
East Gippsland Council is seeking fairer forestry transition funding, greater transparency and stronger investment to support affected communities, local economies, jobs and bushfire preparedness. - Latrobe Mayor slams government's community safety funding decision, demands urgent support despite region's higher crime and social harm rates
Latrobe Mayor Sharon Gibson has criticised the Victorian government for again excluding Latrobe from Community Connectors funding, despite higher crime, family violence and drug-related harm rates than funded metropolitan municipalities. - Labor government boosts Latrobe Valley businesses with funding to strengthen supply chains, expand markets and support future growth
The Carroll Labor government is funding six Latrobe Valley businesses to upgrade equipment, software and skills, strengthen supply chains and expand markets. - Foster CFA volunteers await new station funding despite site and lease arrangements already being in place
Foster CFA volunteers continue waiting for a new station, with a site and long-term lease secured. Danny O’Brien is calling for government funding to begin construction. - East Gippsland Shire Council calls for election funding to unlock thousands of homes across the shire
East Gippsland Council is seeking $12 million in Victorian Election funding for infrastructure projects in Paynesville, Lakes Entrance and Lucknow, supporting thousands of new homes. - East Gippsland Shire Council seeks $4M election funding to unlock 600 new homes through Lucknow drainage upgrades
East Gippsland Council is seeking $4 million for Lucknow drainage upgrades, enabling up to 600 new homes while addressing flooding and supporting sustainable growth. - The Nationals slam Labor's secret public transport tax funding costly suburban rail loop as regional Victorians bear the burden
The Nationals accuse Victoria's Labor government of secretly taxing public transport users $8 billion to fund the Suburban Rail Loop, while regional communities receive disproportionately less infrastructure funding. - Latrobe City Council will push six reforms addressing regional investment, housing, infrastructure, funding fairness and sustainability at MAV State Council
Latrobe City Council will take six reform proposals to the MAV State Council, targeting fairer funding, housing, planning, investment, infrastructure and support for regional communities. - Wellington Shire Council backs campaign seeking greater rural investment, improved roads, infrastructure funding and regional economic growth
Wellington Shire Council is backing Rural Councils Victoria’s campaign for greater investment in rural infrastructure, including roads, community facilities and a proposed $1 billion regional productivity and growth fund.
|
