David Kalcher

Today marks a major milestone for Australia’s digital future as nbn® Australia launches the Accelerate Great program – the most significant upgrade to our wholesale broadband offerings since the network was first built. The Accelerate Great program is accelerating the wholesale speeds available to eligible customers on the nbn network for selected speed tiers on Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) networks. Approximately 9.8 million premises are now eligible for these enhanced speeds, with over 10 million expected by year’s end. But this is about more than just speeds, it’s a transformative moment for the telecommunications sector and together, we’re unlocking new possibilities for innovation, productivity, and digital inclusion. It reflects more than 12 months of collaboration across the sector. Accelerate Great is our commitment to evolving the nbn network to meet Australia’s growing digital needs. Read more about the announcement 👉 : https://lnkd.in/gCb9dgw4

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The first telco engineers are retiring. And nobody will replace them. (That's the generation that brought us GSM). A chapter that started 30 years ago will be closed forever. I still remember waiting until 10pm to call from a payphone (it was cheaper then). And my first mobile phone? An Alcatel One Touch, still somewhere in a drawer. That generation wrote the entire telco playbook. And now we ask: What happens when they leave? It’s tempting to think about replacements, but that’s not quite right. Because today’s engineers won’t step into the same roles. Not with AI already reshaping the way we work. The next wave of telecom talent will inherit the same mission of connectivity, but not the same jobs. They'll have AI agents so the way the work will be totally new. Even more than their expertise, I'm worried we risk losing the wisdom of a generation that built connectivity from scratch. ↘ Will AI Agents be the key to retain knowledge from older generation?

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🚀 Telstra’s “Network as a Product” – A Big Bet on the Programmable Future of Connectivity 📡 Telstra’s latest investor presentation unveils a bold pivot: turning their network into a dynamic, programmable platform with scalable pricing models and API-based access. Their Network as a Product strategy opens up monetisation pathways beyond the traditional playbook—think usage-based pricing, tiered SLAs, and network-as-a-service via global APIs like Aduna. 👊 It’s ambitious, future-focused, and positions Telstra as a front-runner in programmable infrastructure. ✅ Pros? 1️⃣Diverse revenue streams 💰 2️⃣Differentiated SLAs for enterprise & hyperscalers 🔐 3️⃣Ecosystem play with APIs & automation 🤖 ⚠️ Challenges? 1️⃣Complex pricing = potential customer & operational friction 📊 2️⃣Internal maturity needed to scale this model properly 🏗️ 3️⃣No clear monetisation strategy or at least no clear use cases that can lead to significant value creation (IMO) It’s a strategy that shows forward thnking and clear vision—but it’ll take strong execution to avoid getting tangled in its own complexity. There is mention of Camara and Aduna alignment and interoperability. The presentation is pretty light on use cases, but the immediate focus of Aduna we know seems to focus mainly on authentication and identity use cases, so I imagine this will follow suit. Network as a Product” is a new one for me — sounds impressive, though I’m not sure if it’s the future of telco or just the perfect description for a post-lunch siesta. 💤 #NaaPnap, anyone? 😃 #Telstra #NetworkAsAProduct #TelecomInnovation #ConnectedFuture #APIs #ProgrammableNetworks #TelecomStrategy #DigitalTransformation #EnterpriseConnectivity #ThoughtLeadership #LinkedInTech

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Connectivity is no longer just a technology issue. It is a boardroom priority. As I shared in the recent issue of Company Director, digital inclusion is critical infrastructure for Australia’s future. Just like energy or water, connectivity underpins productivity, equity, and growth. For company directors, this means asking: - How are we embedding digital access and resilience into our governance agenda? - Are we treating connectivity as a strategic enabler? - How can industry and government work together to unlock opportunity for every Australian? The choices we make at the board level today will shape inclusion, competitiveness, and prosperity for generations to come. #DigitalInclusion #Connectivity #BoardLeadership #AICD #Ericsson

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🗞️ Australia Telco Industry Update – July 2025 From fibre disputes and 5G roll‑outs to workforce changes and AI priorities, the Australian telco sector is navigating rapid transformation. Here’s your weekly pulse: 🔧 Network Rollouts & Fibre Expansion **NBN’s $640M Canberra Upgrade Sparks Debate** Vodafone/TPG argues the planned overbuild is redundant given existing infrastructure in Canberra. NBN Co defends the spend, pointing to terrain challenges and equitable access goals. 👉 https://lnkd.in/g56SAtjC **Vocus Secures A$5.25B TPG Fibre Deal** Final regulatory approval received, establishing Vocus as a top-tier fibre infrastructure provider connecting ~20,000 buildings nationwide. 👉 https://lnkd.in/g4zpf8nE ⚡ Product & Speed Upgrades **NBN Free Speed Boosts Coming Sept** NBN 100 becomes 500 Mbps, NBN 250 becomes 750 Mbps, and a new 2000 Mbps tier hits FTTP/HFC in a wholesale upgrade. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ggCTfur6 **Fixed Wireless Expansion Progressing** A A$750 M investment is bringing faster, lower‑latency 5G fixed wireless broadband to more rural areas. 👉 https://lnkd.in/g6JEaZwr 🏛️ Telco Strategy & Market Shifts **Telstra to Cut 550 Jobs in Enterprise Reset** As part of a broader restructure, Telstra confirmed the layoffs are unrelated to AI adoption — aiming to streamline operations. 👉 https://lnkd.in/ggBHa66V **Vodafone Retools Brand to Challenge Telstra** TPG Telecom-owned Vodafone appoints a new ad agency to refresh its brand positioning as a challenger in Australia’s mobile space. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gEnZXVXd 🔍 Industry Trends & Investable Themes **AI, Sustainability & Data Platforms Take Centre Stage** Deloitte flags investments in AI infrastructure and energy-efficient network models as top priorities for operators. 👉 https://lnkd.in/g84_dnqN **Telecom Market Forecast: A$22B by 2026** Driven by remote work, streaming and digital apps, the Australian telco market is growing steadily at ~1.6% CAGR. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gukkNQp7 **Optus Expands Reach via Dicker Data Partnership** Optus mobile services become available to business clients through the IT distributor channel. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gizSAwVk 💬 Your Take? How should infrastructure planning adjust in light of the NBN overbuild debate? Which roles are evolving fastest in client and telco organisations? What big tech trends do you see shaping 2026’s telecom delivery? Share your thoughts or tag someone driving change in the sector 👇 #Telecommunications #AustraliaTelco #NBN #5G #Fibre #Telstra #Vodafone #AI #NetworkTransformation #DigitalInfrastructure #TelcoCareers #TechTrends

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Telstra International has unveiled its highly Autonomous Network vision, part of the company’s ambitious five-year plan to drive connectivity and innovation across Asia-Pacific. Head of Telstra International Networks, Wayne Lotter discusses with me, Telstra International’s AI strategy and how Blue Planet is powering the foundation of its highly autonomous network. Check it out. https://lnkd.in/g2J_C2yn

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We’re excited to share a major milestone. 2degrees has just completed one of the largest digital migrations in New Zealand telecommunications history. We've successfully transitioned all our mobile customers, and nearly two million users total, onto Tahi, our purpose-built, in-house Operating Support System. Soon, Tahi will power every aspect of our mobile, broadband, and business operations.  This milestone completes our integration with Vocus, setting a blueprint for scalable transformation and cementing 2degrees as the most capable integrator in New Zealand telecommunications.  Backed by 100+ NZ-based developers, Tahi replaces legacy systems with a unified, agile foundation, helping us move faster, serve better, and innovate with confidence. It’s the engine behind our evolution into a flexible, scalable Software Defined Business. Tahi underpins our flagship Flex business product, enabling tailored self-service solutions that scale to your requirements: Set up new mobile connections, manage cancellations or plan changes, and schedule future orders with precision.  Access interactive billing to manage costs, and allocate spend across cost centres for clearer financial oversight.  Instantly update user details and line barring settings (data, roaming, premium services, etc).  Empower teams with intuitive self-service tools and actionable insights.  Use Flex APIs to integrate services, unlocking efficiency and competitive edge. This transformation is the result of extraordinary teamwork, vision, and grit. Every line of code reflects our commitment to unlocking value, from customer experience to operational excellence.  With Tahi, you’re partnered with a telco that’s not just keeping pace, but setting it. We’re excited to shape the next wave of telco in New Zealand, together.

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