CommsDay Live

#129 Kearney's Alex Liu and Sarovar Agarwal

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:58:41 +1100

In this episode, we interview visiting Kearney chairman emeritus Alex Liu and managing partner, ANZ Sarovar Agarwal talking AI in the telco, takeouts in MWC and a 10 mile-high look at where the global telecom industry sits right now. It's a fantastic trip through current thinking in the global telecom C-suite

#128: 40 Years of .au with Dr Bruce Tonkin

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:23:45 +1100

Grahame Lynch interviews Dr Bruce Tonkin, CEO of AUDA, about the 40-year history and evolution of the .au domain. They discuss AUDA's unique multi-stakeholder rules, the role of ICANN, the DNS infrastructure, critical infrastructure protections, and how domain names will shape digital identity and AI-driven services in the future.

#127 Corning's Brian Rhoney on AI, optical connectivity and the DC

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:32:22 +1100

Brian Rhoney, Director of Data Center Market Development at Corning Optical, explains how optical fibre and new interconnects are critical to scaling AI clusters, shifting data center traffic, and solving the memory and bandwidth challenges posed by modern GPUs.

The episode also covers supply and infrastructure constraints, power and water considerations, Australia’s competitive position and sovereign AI concerns, and emerging trends like lensed connectivity and replacing copper links with optical solutions.

Interviewer: Grahame Lynch

#126 Belinda Dennett of Data Centres Australia

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 16:27:54 +1100

Australia's data centre industry finally has a peak body to represent its interests to governments and the community. We speak with Belinda Dennett, the head of Data Centres Australia, about the new group's plans and why Australia has an opportunity to become a significant player in the AI infrastructure space.

#125 NBN Co's Accelerate Great explained, with Bec Heap, Brendan Donohoe

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 18:46:06 +1000

In this special podcast, NBN Co execs Bec Heap and Brendan Donohoe take CommsDay's Grahame Lynch through the new Accelerate Great initiative, which sees speeds increase on existing plans, new plans and a push to improve the in-home experience. This is the most extensive interview yet on NBN's plans.

#124 CommsDay Summit panel: Building Australia's digital infrastructure

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 14:51:12 +1000

From CommsDay Summit 18 June. Chaired by Steve Cannane and featuring Brookfield global data centres CEO Udhay Mathialagan | FibreconX CEO Mark Rafferty | Equinix Australia MD Guy Danskine | NextDC chief operating officer Simon Cooper.

#123 CommsDay Summit: State of the telecom industry panel

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 16:16:52 +1000

Hear the full panel discussion from this week's CommsDay Summit, moderated by Steve Cannane, featuring:

Comms Alliance CEO Luke Coleman | Telsoc president Michelle Lim | Telecommunications Carriers Forum NZ CEO Paul Brislen | regulatory expert Andrew Sheridan | NSW Dep’t of Primary Industries & Reg Development’s Peter Adams | New Street Research analyst Ian Martin.

#122 Telstra's new Connected Future plan | Corning's Kevin Hussey talks data centres

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:30:13 +1000

In this episode we look at Telstra's new Connected Future 30 program and how it is attempting to even change the lexicon around how the telco describes itself and we do a deep dive into the world of fibre connectivity and data centres with Corning's Kevin Hussey

#121 Talking Ericsson's new Cradlepoint X20 5G Router with Pankaj Malhotra & John Boladian

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 14:03:58 +1100

In this new sponsored podcast, Pankaj Malhotra, Head of Enterprise Networking and Security, Enterprise Wireless Solutions, Ericsson and John Boladian, Vice President Partner Sales Asia Pacific, Enterprise Wireless Solutions at Ericsson to talk about Ericsson's new FWA solution and its benefits for carriers.

#120 Nokia Bell Labs celebrates its centennial. Bell Labs' co-presidents, Peter Vetter and Thierry Klein

Sat, 22 Feb 2025 08:55:32 +1100

In this special episode of Comms Day Live, host Grahame Lynch delves into the remarkable history of Nokia Bell Labs, an organisation at the forefront of technological innovation for over a century. Join us for an exclusive interview with Bell Labs' co-presidents, Peter Vetter and Thierry Klein, as they discuss the lab's pivotal inventions like the transistor, solar cell, laser, and the protocols for Wi-Fi and modern cellular networks.

This episode examines the origins and evolution of Bell Labs, its groundbreaking contributions to telecommunications, and its ongoing impact on the industry. This episode also sheds light on current and future projects, including advancements in AI, quantum computing, and even the first cellular network on the moon. With a continuous commitment to solving real-world problems, Bell Labs remains a beacon of innovation and exploration.

#119 Kearney's Zorawar Singh

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:52:21 +1100

In this episode of CommsDay Live, host Grahame Lynch kicks off the year by diving into a critical topic within the telecom industry—its structural transformation. Joined by Zorawar Singh from Kearney, they explore delayering - concept that challenges traditional vertically integrated telecom models.

The discussion revolves around the potential benefits of delayering via the separation of telecom into three distinct entities: infrastructure, network equipment, and service provision. Singh presents the core thesis of a recent paper, explaining how operating as independent entities can lead to greater enterprise value, operational efficiencies, and financial transparency.

The discussion also touches on the implications of this model for investors, regulatory bodies, and consumers, highlighting the opportunities and challenges that come with such transformational changes. Real-world examples from Australia and other parts of the world illustrate the potential for success and the lessons learned in implementing delayering.

#118 Corning's Kim Hartwell | Yomojo's James Linton | Optus CEO Stephen Rue

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 15:23:32 +1100

Three great interviewees this week

First, we hear from Kim Hartwell, Chief Commercial Officer at Corning Optical, about a groundbreaking partnership with Australia's FibreSense.

Next, we catch up with James Linton, the new owner of Yomojo, about his plans to expand its service offering.

Finally, Stephen Rue, the new CEO of Optus, shares his vision for revitalising the company by embracing the challenger ethos that once defined it.

#117 Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 15:24:29 +1100

In this episode of CommsDay Live, host Grahame Lynch welcomes a special guest, Pekka Lundmark, the global CEO of Nokia. Joining us from his first visit to Australia as CEO, Lundmark shares his journey with Nokia, starting in the 1990s and returning as CEO four years ago.

Lundmark delves into Nokia's involvement in the data centre market and their plans to offer solutions that meet the increasing demands for security and reliability.

The conversation also explores the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving telecom landscape, including the importance of 5G standalone networks and the future of 6G. Lundmark concludes by discussing the potential for growth in Australia and Nokia's role in supporting these developments.

CommsDay turns 30: Tim Marshall talks with NBN Co's Anna Perrin

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 17:49:13 +1000

Welcome back to CommsDay Live! In this episode, host Tim Marshall, former Comms Day editor, sits down with Anna Perrin, Chief Customer Officer at NBN Co. Anna shares her journey in the telecommunications sector, reflecting on the industry's transformation over the past three decades.

They discuss the shift from engineering-led development to a customer-focused approach, the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

It's a great conversation that concludes our special series based around 30 years of CommsDay.

30 years of CommsDay: Tim Marshall talks with auDA CEO Rosemary Sinclair

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 14:38:32 +1000

Welcome to CommsDay Live! In this special episode, Tim Marshall, former CommsDay editor, sits down with Rosemary Sinclair, Chief Executive of the Australian Internet Domain Administration (auDA). As part of a series celebrating the first 30 years of Communications Day, they discuss the evolution of the public internet in Australia and Sinclair's unique experiences in the telecommunications sector.

From her early encounters with the internet to her role in shaping consumer advocacy, Sinclair shares insights into the dramatic changes the industry has undergone. They also delve into the critical importance of connectivity during events like COVID-19 and natural disasters.

CommsDay turns 30: Tim Marshall talks with outgoing Comms Alliance CEO John Stanton

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:27:41 +1000

This fantastic interview elicits John's thoughts on the trajectory of competition in telecommunications over 30 years, the highlights of his 15 years at Comms Alliance, who he enjoyed working with and what he sees as future challenges for the sector.

CommsDay Turns 30: Tim Marshall in conversation with David Kennedy

Fri, 13 Sep 2024 17:12:17 +1000

Welcome back to CommDay Live, hosted by Tim Marshall, former CommsDay editor and head of TM Advisory. In this episode of a series celebrating the first 30 years of Communications Day, Tim speaks with David Kennedy, Managing Director at Venture Insights. David shares his unique perspective on the evolution of the Australian telecommunications sector over the past three decades.

Join us as David reflects on his early career in policy and his experiences with the internet in its nascent stages. He discusses the transformative impact of technology on the industry, the role of government in telecommunications, and the critical issues facing the sector today, such as cyber security and sustainable investment.

30 Years of CommsDay: Past editors discuss their insights and reflections

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 19:55:57 +1000

Welcome to a special episode of CommsDay Live, celebrating three decades of the Communications Day newsletter. Hosted by former editor Tim Marshall, this episode brings together a unique panel of past editors who have significantly contributed to CommsDay.

Join us for an engaging discussion, featuring Petroc Wilton, Geoff Long, Luke Coleman, David Binning and Grahame Lynch. The panel reminisces about the industry's evolution, from the rise and fall of dot-coms to the transformative impact of the NBN. Hear personal anecdotes, industry insights, and reflections on the technological advancements that have shaped the sector over the years.

30 Years of CommsDay; An interview with founder Grahame Lynch part 2

Thu, 08 Aug 2024 10:29:55 +1000

Welcome to the second episode of our special series celebrating the 30th anniversary of Communications Day. Hosted by former Comms Day editor Tim Marshall and featuring Grahame Lynch, the founder and publisher of Comms Day, this episode dives deep into the major themes and events that have shaped the telecommunications sector over the past three decades.

We explore the evolution of Telstra, the development of universal high-speed broadband, and the ongoing saga of the NBN. Grahame shares his personal insights on the twists and turns that have defined the industry, reflecting on technological shifts, policy responses, and the heated battles that have taken place.

The episode also touches on the global impact of mobile technology, the rise of OTT players, and the increasing importance of network resilience. As we look ahead, we discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie in the future of telecommunications.

Join us for an engaging and informative discussion that not only celebrates the past 30 years but also contemplates the future of telecommunications.

30 Years of CommsDay; An interview with founder Grahame Lynch part 1

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 16:54:51 +1000

Welcome to CommsDayLive with Tim Marshall, former editor of CommsDay and now a communications and corporate affairs consultant. This is the first episode in a special series celebrating the 30-year journey of Communications Day, the publication often referred to as the Bible of Australian telecommunications.

In this episode, Tim sits down with the man behind it all, Grahame Lynch, the founder, publisher, editor, commentator, event producer, podcast host, and more. Grahame shares the story of CommsDay's inception, its early days, and its incredible journey of charting the perpetual evolution of the telecommunications industry.

Discover the challenges, the pivotal moments, and the technological advancements that have shaped the industry. From the early days of faxing newsletters to embracing the digital era, Grahame provides an insider's perspective on what it takes to build a lasting and influential publication in a constantly changing sector.

Join us as we explore the past 30 years of telecommunications through the lens of CommsDay, and learn what lessons from the past can guide us into the future.

#116 BAI's Peter Lambourne and Allot's Weiming Li

Fri, 10 May 2024 11:46:23 +1000

In this episode, we feature two feature interviews:

00.00 BAI Communications' CEO Peter Lambourne talks about the fascinating evolution of a company that began as a Australian government transmission operation and now provides digital infrastructure services in places such as New York City.

21.00 Allot's VP APAC sales Weiming Li talks about his firm's network native security proposition and its partnerships with some of the world's leading telco groups such as Vodafone, Telefonica and Verizon.

#115 Telstra's Channa Seneviratne on the 3G shutdown and some 4G incompatibilities

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 18:10:51 +1100

Telstra executive, technology development and innovation Channa Seneviratne talks about the impending 3G shutdown and the specific issue of those with older 4G handsets which may default to 3G for emergency calls. he also talks about the efforts being made by Telstra and other telcos to educate affected users.

#114 MWC wrap with Long Street Advisors' Mohammad Chowdhury & Re Group's Patrick Guerrera

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 19:24:13 +1100

In this special edition we have an extended discussion with two Australian-based sectoral experts who travelled to MWC in Barcelona.

First up, Long Street Advisors' CEO Mohammad Chowdhury, a former PWC partner, Vodafone and IBM exec and World Bank economist, who filed a daily column for CommsDay from MWC and joins us on the podcast to look back at the event.

And secondly, from around the 18.00 mark, we speak with Re Group (M & C Saatchi) CEO Patrick Guerrera who has worked on the Optus brand over the past decade and shares his unique perspectives on what he saw at MWC.

Across the two interviews we cover a gamut of topics ranging from AI to quantum to the digital divide and the great 5G ROI drought!

#113 Telstra CEO Vicki Brady at MWC | New iSeek CEO Scott Hicks

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 09:43:30 +1100

In this week's edition, we hear what Vicki Brady, Telstra CEO, had to say at Mobile World Congress, we catch up with the new CEO of iSeek, Scott Hicks, who talks about their service USP and we catch up with CommsDay editor Rohan Pearce to discuss the TPG results

#112 Accenture's Paolo Sidoti

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 09:58:24 +1100

Mobile World Congress returns to Barcelona from this weekend and to preview some of the major themes of the event we spoke with Paolo Sidoti, ANZ Communications, Media, Technology (CMT) client group lead of Accenture. We cover a gamut of topics including AI and network transformation.

Also we speak with Rohan Pearce about the latest telecom developments at the Quad.

#111 NBN CEO Stephen Rue & Zella DC CEO Angie Keeler

Fri, 09 Feb 2024 13:59:10 +1100

In this episode:

* we speak with NBN CO CEO Stephen Rue following 1H results, focusing on the increasing uptake of Fibre Connect and the implementation of the new Special Access Undertaking

* we also find out about Zella DC, the Perth based micro DC company, which is kicking goals in the US, with CEO Angie Keeler,

and, we speak with CommsDay's Rohan Pearce about Telstra's AI announcements this week

#110 AWS' chief telco technologist Ishwar Parulkar on AI, APIs, cloud RAN and more

Fri, 02 Feb 2024 16:02:00 +1100

This week Grahame Lynch chats with AWS chief technologist, telco Ishwar Parulkar from California on his predictions for 2024 including increased use of AI by telcos, more comfort with SaaS and APIs, and a renewed move to cloud RANs. Grahame also chats with CommsDay managing editor Rohan Pearce about the news of the week

#109 Kearney's Shivani Parekh and Sarovar Agarwal on network resilience, MEF CEO Dario Betti on his regulatory predictions for 2024

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 04:30:00 +1100

In the first episode of CommsDay Live for 2024:

We have an extended chat with Kearney partners Shivani Parekh from Chicago and Sarovar Agarwal from Melbourne from that consulting firm's telecom, media and technology practice on why network resilience is rising rapidly up the list of priorities for telco executives. And a hint: getting it right is as much about culture as technology.

CommsDay chief editor Rohan Pearce joins us to look at the new Samsung AI-enabled handsets released this week which are making quite an impression.

And finally, we are joined by London-based CEO of the Mobile Ecosystem Forum, Dario Betti, who shares with us his top global regulatory predictions for 2024 including what is happening with privacy and identity.

#108 Capti’s Todd Maunder, Sat.One’s Daniel Fairbairn and shadow comms minister David Coleman

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 13:40:58 +1100

In the last episode of CommsDay Live for 2023, Grahame Lynch speaks with:

* Capti CEO Todd Maunder about what he finds compelling about the Vision Network product set which he resells
* Sat.One's Daniel Fairbairn on his company's first OneWeb enterprise signing
* Shadow communications minister David Coleman on the issues that dominated 2023 and how they will play out in 2024

#107 Amplitel CEO Jon Lipton

Fri, 10 Nov 2023 11:40:22 +1100

In this sponsored podcast, Grahame Lynch talks with Amplitel CEO Jon Lipton. Amplitel is one of the new breed of tower companies that have emerged in recent years, but we discuss how it is more than a real estate play, but a company going up the value stack in terms of what it offers to customers and developing innovative solutions in areas such as the use of digital twin technology.

#106 A deep dive on cybersecurity with Absolute Software and Rapid7 | Netskope talks borderless WAN

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 18:48:57 +1100

In this episode we hear from:

* Rapid7 global chief security officer Jaya Balloo talking about the cyber threats of AI and quantum,
* Netskope SVP, borderless WAN Parag Thakore, and
* Absolute Software CTO Nicko van Someren on the hype around AI in cybersecurity

#105 A deep dive into AI with Amdocs and Juniper

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 12:40:44 +1000

In this episode we talk with two visiting executives from the US - Amdocs group president of technology and head of strategy Anthony Goonetilleke and Juniper Networks' Senior Director of Product Marketing for AI-Driven Enterprise Christian Gilby - about artificial intelligence, the impact it is having in the market and how it can benefit telcos

#104 Telstra network executives Nikos Katinakis and Channa Seneviratne

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 17:21:20 +1000

In this episode, Grahame Lynch chats with CommsDay's Rohan Pearce about the future of co-regulation as the minister moves to impose a standard over financial hardship cases and ACMA sets ultimatums over industry code revision.

And we hear from Telstra network executives Nikos Katinakis and Channa Seneviratne who spoke at a major briefing on what is happening with 5G and satellite at the telco: in their own words, given some of the selective and inaccurate reporting about what was discussed.

#103 A new cybersecurity czar, Optus on the MOCN decision and a talk about 6G

Fri, 23 Jun 2023 12:11:26 +1000

In this episode, we hear from

* PM Anthony Albanese and cybersecurity minister Clare O'Neil about their new national cybersecurity co-ordinator appointment
* Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin and MD marketing and revenue Matt Williams about the reaction to an appeal court's rejection of the Telstra-TPG regional sharing deal
* Optus's MD enterprise Gladys Berejiklian on the company's approach to partnerships, and
* a chat with Mathworks' Ruth-Anne Marchant about what 6G might look like

#102 Matt Barrie on AI, auDA and Cradlepoint

Fri, 19 May 2023 15:15:01 +1000

In this episode:
* we hear from the founder of Freelancer.com Matt Barrie and his thoughts on AI
* Rosemary Sinclair from auDA talks about the trust premium of the .au domain, and
* Visiting Cradlepoint executives Lindsay Notwell and Lisa Guess talk about the rise of 5G slicing and where Australia is at in wireless enterprise use cases

#101 A chat with Andrew Wildblood of Vocus

Fri, 21 Apr 2023 14:35:05 +1000

Vocus is the diamond sponsor of this year's CommsDay Summit and we took the opportunity to speak with its head of enterprise and government Andrew Wildblood about this year's talking points and developments at the company

A chat with ENE.HUB’s Adam Beck about frictionless 5G

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 14:11:23 +1100

Grahame Lynch chats with Adam Beck, the head of digital urbanism at ENE.HUB, about the company's vision for frictionless 5G and how its smart pole functionality is building bridges with local communities and government.

#100 SUPA CEO Geoff Horth and new shadow communications minister David Coleman

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 15:56:02 +1100

In this episode we catch up with former M2 and Vocus boss Geoff Horth to find out about his new converged service provider SUPA and the new shadow communications minister comes to the studio.

#99 TPG Telecom CEO Inaki Berroeta on his annual results

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 10:16:04 +1100

TPG Telecom returned a good set of numbers this week in an indication that it has turned the corner and now has positive momentum in the years ahead. Grahame Lynch spoke with Inaki Berroeta.

A conversation with Mansour Karam of Juniper Networks’ Apstra

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 18:06:00 +1100

In this special sponsored edition of CommsDay Live, Grahame Lynch talks with Mansour Karam, the co-founder of Apstra, now a unit of Juniper Networks.

In this podcast, they discuss the origin story of Apstra, how Karam saw a shared vision between Apstra and Juniper, what was the original problem that Apstra sought to solve, the idea behind intent-based networking and how Apstra performs in blind end-user studies. They conclude by discussing what lies in the future for Apstra.

#97 Dr Vijay Sivaraman of Canopus and new Vocus CEO Ellie Sweeney

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 13:08:07 +1100

This week we take a look at a new academic paper which finds fault with national broadband measurement programs and suggests alternative ways to get more meaningful data on broadband experiences with co-author Dr Vijay Sivaraman. We also hear from the new CEO of Vocus, Ellie Sweeney, who replaces the retiring Kevin Russell in a few weeks.

#96 Catching up with the summer news with CommsDay’s Rohan Pearce and Simon Dux

Thu, 02 Feb 2023 17:07:00 +1100

CommsDay Live, the podcast, is back for 2023. In this episode, host Grahame Lynch catches up with Simon Dux and Rohan Pearce to discuss all the top news that happened over the January holidays.

#95 Vocus’ Andrew Wildblood, Amdocs’ Zoltan Losteiner & Telco Together’s Renee Bowker

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 14:28:54 +1100

In our last episode for calendar year 2022, we chat with:

0.00 Vocus chief executive, enterprise and government Andrew Wildblood about what his company in doing in leosats, private LTE and fibre deployments in the north of Australia

11.45 Amdocs VP, Customer Business Executive for the ANZ region Zoltan Losteiner and hear what he has to say about trends in enterprise communications and network automation, and

24.15 Telco Together founder Renee Bowker on their tenth anniversary, highlights and plans from here on.

It's a big final episode for the year!

#94 Indara’s Jason Horley and Matt Healy

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 11:39:30 +1100

In this episode we hear from Indara's Jason Horley and Matt Healy on their plan for a regional mobile network in uneconomic markets that could support the needs of all three cellcos and more, as per the NZ RCG model. Our editors Rohan Pearce and Simon Dux look at a series of related announcements and views from Amplitel, the NT government and NSW Gig State.

#93 Amplitel CEO Jon Lipton

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 17:24:51 +1100

In this episode we hear from Amplitel CEO Jon Lipton and chat with CommsDay editors Simon Dux and Rohan Pearce about the week that was

#92 The CommsDay Wholesale Forum Industry Panel

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 11:08:08 +1100

CommsDay held its Wholesale Forum this week in Sydney: Directions for Australian telecom wholesale with panellists Zia Bhadiar partner, Oliver Wyman, Venture Insights MD David Kennedy, Vocus GM - Wholesale national sales Tristan Clash, Symbio GM Products Dylan Brown, Superloop chief commercial officer Nick Pachos and Swoop CTO Tom Berryman. This panel looks at the big trends in Australian wholesale markets: NBN resale, dark fibre and private access networks, 5G, leosat and more

The moderator is James Linton, formerly of Exetel

#91 Swoop’s Sean Clarke on its wholesale play | Vocus’ Luke Coleman on universal service reform

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 11:32:40 +1100

This week, we speak with:

* Executive editor Rohan Pearce about the government's post budget regional comms roadshow
* Swoop's chief revenue officer Sean Clarke joins us to talk about his company and its wholesale strategy, and
* Vocus dir, government relations Luke Coleman on the problems with overlapping and expensive universal service subsidies and how LEOsats may come to the rescue

#90 The Federal Budget, Aussie Broadband and Ciena

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 11:19:08 +1100

This week, Grahame Lynch and Simon Dux discuss the impact on the telecom sector of the federal budget.

We also chat with Dominic Morrow and Michelle Peter from Aussie Broadband about what their company is doing in the wholesale space, while we also catch up with newly appointed head of Ciena in ANZ, Ivan Polizzi.

#89 FibreconX CEO Mark Rafferty

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 15:42:00 +1100

In this edition, we chat with Mark Rafferty, the CEO of FibreconX and we hear from communications minister Michelle Rowland who delivered the Charles Todd Oration today.

#88 Telstra chair John Mullen on the big corporate restructure

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 11:53:35 +1100

In this episode we hear some of the highlights of Telstra chairman John Mullan's statements at this week's AGM and we talk about the news of the week with CommsDay chief editor Simon Dux

#87 The Optus data breach and what’s happening at Ribbon

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 11:54:37 +1100

This week Grahame Lynch talks about the Optus data breach and we hear from Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin, communications minister Michelle Rowland and treasurer Jim Chalmers.

Grahame also talks with the visiting SVP from Ribbon Communications, David Hiscock.

#86 What Telstra’s Vicky Brady, shadow minister Sarah Henderson and ACCC said at ACCANect

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 15:05:57 +1000

This week we listen in to Telstra CEO Vicky Brady and shadow minister Sarah Henderson at the annual ACCAN event, discuss the rather bleak view of the ACCC of the telco sector and discuss Australian plays on satellite-to-mobile. We return in two weeks

#85 Telstra’s Michael Ackland talks sports partnerships

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 12:49:51 +1000

Telstra made two big tech announcements this week around the AFL and NRL rights. We get the lowdown from Simon Dux who interviewed Telstra CFO Michael Ackland.

#84 New Telstra CEO Vicki Brady | Telegeography | Nokia | Senator Jim Molan

Thu, 01 Sep 2022 17:14:22 +1000

In this episode of CommsDay Live:

* what Telstra CEO Vicki Brady said in her first speech in the role
* Senator Jim Molan talks physical threats to telecom infrastructure
* Telegeography analyst Marvin Tan on trans Pacific capacity
* Nokia President of Network Infrastructure Federico Guillen on supply chain issues

#83 Telstra CEO Andy Penn on the cyber threat environment, Optus’ Gladys Berejiklian on bush telecoms

Fri, 26 Aug 2022 13:55:41 +1000

In this edition we play the highlights of Telstra CEO Andy Penn's NPC address on cybersecurity and what Optus' Gladys Berejiklian said at the Daily Telegraph Bush Summit in Griffith.

#82 TPG Telecom CEO Inaki Berroeta on 1H results, Symbio CEO Rene Sugo talks NBN futures

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 16:04:56 +1000

In this week's podcast, Grahame Lynch discusses the latest TPG Telecom results with CEO Inaki Berroeta and does a deep dive into the future of the NBN Co with Symbio CEO Rene Sugo

#81 FY results from NBN Co and Telstra: what the execs said

Fri, 12 Aug 2022 15:33:46 +1000

Both Telstra and NBN Co released their financial results this week. We hear from Michael Ackland, Brendon Riley and Andy Penn of Telstra about fixed wireless, national fibre trunk and network sharing topics while we also have an extended chat with NBN CEO Stephen Rue about his results.

#80 The sesqui-centenary of the Overland Telegraph Cable: Australia’s first telecom engineering wonder

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 10:56:06 +1000

In this special edition of Commsday Live, we chat with Julian Todd, the great great grandson of Sir Charles Todd, who pioneered the overland telegraph cable from Adelaide to Darwin which connected the Australian colonies to the world for the first time. This month sees the 150th anniversary of this massive 19th century engineering feat.

#79 Government asks for a reboot on NBN SAU

Fri, 29 Jul 2022 09:19:56 +1000

In this episode, CommsDay's Grahame Lynch and Rohan Pearce cogitate over minister Michelle Rowland's decision this week to ask the NBN, ACCC and RSPs to try again and come up with a mutually agreeable Special Access Undertaking.

#78 Telstra’s spray at NBN’s SAU, new 5G spectrum auction and more

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 14:10:19 +1000

In this week's CommsDay Live, the editors team of Grahame Lynch, Rohan Pearce and Simon Dux look at NBN, Starlink, ACMA's new spectrum auction, Victrak and More Telecom.

#77 The week that was in telecom news

Fri, 15 Jul 2022 13:00:30 +1000

This week CommsDay editors Grahame Lynch, Simon Dux and Rohan Pearce discuss:
* TPG's response to Optus' criticisms of the Telstra network sharing pact
* NBN Co's HFC triumph
* Cellular industry embraces satellite delivery of 5G
* Whats happening at Circles.Life
* and much much more

#76 Interview with Optus executive Gladys Berejiklian

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 23:20:00 +1000

In this special edition of CommsDay Live, we bring you Gladys Berejiklian's first interview with media since she stepped down as NSW Premier to join Optus as managing director of enterprise, business and institutional. In this interview, she talks about why she chose to work in telecoms - and specifically Optus - for her post-political career, how she sees tough economic times impacting telecom spend and what she thinks about the proposed Telstra-TPG network sharing pact.

#75 TPG’s Inaki Berroeta and Kieren Cooney, Optus’ Andrew Sheridan

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 15:51:56 +1000

In this podcast we take a deep dive at TPG's investor day this week and listen to excerpts of what CEO Inaki Berroeta and consumer head Kieren Cooney had to say about the telco's trajectory as they consolidate following their merger with Vodafone. And then later on in the show (15:00) we hear more from Cooney on the Telstra regional network tie-up and a fulsome response from Optus' VP regulatory and public affairs Andrew Sheridan who contends the deal will be bad for competition.

#74 The bright future for the space internet

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 16:57:25 +1000

This week we take a look at what happened at the Australasia Satellite Forum and from Australia's first astronaut Paul Scully-Power on what is about to happen in what he terms Space 2.0 and the Space Internet. It's a bold vision he paints. We also discuss other highlights of the event with Simon Dux and Rohan Pearce.

#73 Free NBN from CBA & new builds from Marchnet and NextHop

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 15:57:42 +1000

Grahame Lynch talks about the news of the week with Rohan Pearce and Simon Dux including free NBN from the CBA for some loan customers, new builds from Marchnet and Nexthop, and the latest in Victorian government telco funding

#72 Telstra raises mobile prices, opposition to Telstra-TPG mobile pact

Fri, 03 Jun 2022 15:55:43 +1000

In this episode, Grahame Lynch talks with Simon Dux about CPI-linked price rises in mobile and the creation of a new no 3 telco in New Zealand, as well as Rohan Pearce about opposition to the Telstra-TPG network sharing pact and a new role for the NSW Telco Authority

#71 Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin and CFO Michael Venter on their annual results

Fri, 27 May 2022 15:28:57 +1000

In this episode of CommsDay Live we hear from Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin and CFO Michael Venter on their annual results, talk about the NBN SAU and Quad telecom developments with Rohan Pearce and China's latest foray into Pacific telecoms with Simon Dux

#70 Oliver Wyman’s Steven Hall on its new global telco consumer survey

Fri, 20 May 2022 12:31:27 +1000

In this episode, we speak with Oliver Wyman partner Steven Hall about a new global telco consumer survey that has some interesting and perhaps contrarian findings about Australian consumers. We also discuss new sub cables and ground-to-air broadband networks with our editors Simon Dux and Rohan Pearce

#69 Comms minister Paul Fletcher and shadow comms minister Michelle Rowland

Fri, 13 May 2022 13:19:16 +1000

It's the last week of the federal election campaign and this week we hear what comms minister Paul Fletcher and shadow comms minister Michelle Rowland had to say at CommsDay Summit last week. We also chat with Rohan Pearce about the latest regional comms grants and a rather extraordinary state government gift to solar eclipse watchers in Western Australia.

#68 CommsDay Summit special: what Vocus, Optus, Symbio, IAA and TPG said

Fri, 06 May 2022 15:00:30 +1000

In this week's podcast, Grahame Lynch recaps what the telcos said at CommsDay Summit this week about policy and regulation. With an election brewing there are concerns about investment disincentives and excessive regulation. We hear from Vocus CEO Kevin Russell, Symbio CEO Rene Sugo, Optus' Andrew Sheridan, IAA CEO Narelle Clark and TPG CEO Inaki Berroeta.

#67 NEC’s Patrick Lopez talks Open RAN

Fri, 08 Apr 2022 11:53:43 +1000

In this episode we have an extended chat with NEC VP Patrick Lopez from Canada about Open RAN as well as the week that was in Australian telecom news with Simon Dux and Rohan Pearce including Labor's new regional comms policy.

#66 Incoming Telstra CEO Vicki Brady and auDA CEO Rosemary Sinclair

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 14:21:43 +1100

This week we have two feature interviews.

We catch up with Telstra's next CEO Vicki Brady who was announced as the successor to Andy Penn when he steps down later this year.

And we find out all about the new auDA domain range "direct AU" from CEO Rosemary Sinclair

#65 The debate around the NBN SAU + NBN’s new fixed wireless upgrade

Fri, 25 Mar 2022 12:41:30 +1100

In this week's podcast:

We revisit last week's CommsDay Melbourne Congress and the discussions on the impending process to update NBN Co's special access undertaking which governs its wholesale terms and conditions. We hear from ACCC commissioner Anna Brakey, NBN head of strategy and transformation Will Irving and Aussie Broadband MD Phil Britt.

And NBN Co's Gavin Williams takes us through the technology behind the $750 million fixed wireless upgrade announced this week

#64 CommsDay Melbourne Congress in review

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 19:37:48 +1100

This special episode of CommsDay Live features highlights from our Melbourne Congress.

We hear from:

Regional Communications Minister Bridget McKenzie

Telstra InfraCo CEO Brendon Riley

Optus VP regulatory and public affairs Andrew Sheridan

HyperOne CEO Bevan Slattery

Telstra network & infrastructure execIskra Nikolova

Optus VP Access Networks Strategy, Planning and Quality Kent Wu

TPG Telecom general manager Wireless & Transmission Network Yago Lopez

#63 Technologist Kevin Bloch talks top ten ICT trends

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 16:34:17 +1100

This week's edition takes a step back from the latest news and looks at the two year horizon with technologist Kevin Bloch. What are the trends impacting telcos in areas such as edge, the metaverse, automation and hyperscale.

Kevin is best known for his 21 years as CTO with Cisco and he is now involved with a range of global ICT start-ups. Find out more at https://www.blochadvisory.com

#62 Telstra’s Nikos Katinikas on the view from MWC Barcelona

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 12:19:52 +1100

This week we have an extended chat with Telstra's GE networks and IT Nikos Katinikas on the view from MWC Barcelona and where mobile networks are heading.

We also catch up with Rohan Pearce for the week that was

#61TPG CEO Inaki Berroeta on the Telstra mobile sharing deal

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 11:49:01 +1100

In this episode, we chat with

* TPG Telecom CEO Inaki Berroeta on the regional mobile deal with Telstra
* Simon Dux about TPG's fixed network plans and Uniti results
* Rohan Pearce about the ACCC's latest data on NBN RSP market share and Aussie Broadband results

#60 NBN at Senate Estimates, Telstra’s 1H results

Fri, 18 Feb 2022 11:33:11 +1100

In this episode, we hear from NBN Co at Senate Estimates talking about the meteorite hit on its satellite and the status of its fibre upgrade plans as well as Telstra's 1H analyst call where it talked about conditions in a COVID-influenced market and what satellite might do to stem its costs in universal service areas.

#59 NBN CEO Stephen Rue

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 13:14:01 +1100

In this episode we discuss with:

* Chief editor Simon Dux the new tri band deployment at Optus Mobile and Megaport's stellar results
* Executive editor Rohan Pearce the new NBN wholesale rebates and latest developments in spectrum policy, and
* NBN CEO Stephen Rue the latest half yearly results at the firm

#58 Improving the gaming experience and all about the new Telstra fibre plans

Thu, 03 Feb 2022 16:57:40 +1100

In this episode we talk about:

* measuring gaming traffic and improving user experience with Canopus Networks CEO Dr Vijay Sivaraman
* Telstra's new fibre plans with executive editor Rohan Pearce and we hear from Telstra CEO Andy Penn direct

#57 Bob Mansfield on 30 years of Australian telecom competition

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 15:29:46 +1100

This weekend marks the 30th anniversary of Optus gaining the second telecom carrier license and the introduction of competition. We speak with the founding CEO of Optus, Bob Mansfield about those early days and times subsequent heading the boards at Telstra and Vocus.

#56 Nokia chief customer experience officer Ricky Corker

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 14:22:49 +1100

In our last episode of the year we talk with Nokia's chief customer experience officer, Ricky Corker, an Aussie expat in North California who talks about how he sees the state of telecoms as we head into 2022.

We also catch up on the week that was with Rohan Pearce and Simon Dux.

See you early next year!

#55 NBN chair Dr Ziggy Switkowski

Tue, 07 Dec 2021 20:29:54 +1100

Weeks ahead of his departure from NBN after eight years as chair, Grahame Lynch conducts an extensive interview with Dr Ziggy Switkowski about his record at the national operator and what lies ahead.

#54 Aussie Broadband‘s Phil Britt on the OTW takeover

Fri, 03 Dec 2021 11:40:28 +1100

In this episode we hear from:

* Aussie Broadband MD Phil Britt on the $340m+ OTW buy
* Federal minister Jane Hume on new Telstra legislation which passed the Senate
* Simon Dux talks about recommendations for the space industry and a new Pacific cable landing in Sydney
* Rohan Pearce talks about the war on SMS phishing and TPG's smart capex philosophy

#53 Labor‘s Anthony Albanese and Michelle Rowland on their new NBN fibre plan

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 12:12:43 +1100

In this episode we hear from:

* Telstra's Kim Krough Anderson on its technology strategy and talk with Rohan Pearce about Telstra Investor Day

* Labor's Anthony Albanese and Michelle Rowland on their new NBN fibre plan, and

* Prime Minister Scott Morrison on his Critical Technologies Footprint

#52 Optus CEO KellyBayer Rosmarin and Superloop CEO Paul Tyler

Thu, 11 Nov 2021 18:49:32 +1100

In this edition of CommsDay Live:

* CommsDay's Rohan Pearce discusses the Regional Telecommunications Review
* Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin discusses improved results
* Superloop CEO Paul Tyler philosophises about the challenger telco market

#51 Hawaiki founder Remi Galasso

Fri, 05 Nov 2021 12:16:03 +1100

This week we have an extended discussion with Hawaiki CEO Remi Galasso about the proposed Nui cable which will connect Singapore, Indonesia, Northern and Eastern Australia, NZ's South Island and the US.

We also discuss Telstra's aggressive new play in 5G home broadband and issues with a new bill which may capture some in a regulatory net they don't want to be in.

#50 NBN CEO Stephen Rue defends the G.fast fibre switch | Deep dive on the Telstra Digicel deal

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 12:05:09 +1100

In this week's episode:

* Grahame Lynch and Simon Dux discuss Telstra's amazing deal to buy Digicel and some of the possible risks that have been barely contemplated by media and financial market analysis
* NBN CEO Stephen Rue is grilled by Labor in Senate Estimates on the decision to abandon a 5 year old plan to offer G.fast over the FTTC network in favour of direct fibre lead-ins
* Rohan Pearce discusses the TSSR annual report and discussion around anti-scam regulation

#49 Telstra CEO Andy Penn talks about the hybrid work revolution

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 12:38:17 +1100

In this episode:

* Telstra CEO Andy Penn talks about new Deloitte research which shows the desirability of hybrid work practices, mixing home and office attendance

* Rohan Pearce talks about a new regional network initiative and legislation aimed at tower cos and a decoupled Telstra

* Simon Dux talks the great mmWave speed wars and Equinix's mammoth new Sydney DC investment

#48 Boost founder Peter Adderton, DGIT CEO Greg Tilton and CSG‘s Ian Watterson & Finn Kornbo

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 12:32:42 +1100

In this episode:

* Simon Dux catches up with Boost Mobile founder Peter Adderton and finds out all about his plan to disrupt roaming and billing with MobileX platform
* In a sponsored interview, we discuss the wholesale opportunities for 5G and IoT with CSG's Finn Kornbo,
* and we find out about CSG's acquisition of Melbourne's DGIT with Ian Watterson of CSG and Greg Tilton of DGIT

#47 Communications Chambers‘ Robert Kenny and TIO Judi Jones

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 12:37:18 +1100

In this episode we talk with:

CommsDay editors Rohan Pearce and Simon Dux about the week that was

Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Judi Jones on her decision to leave next year

Communications Chambers' Robert Kenny on fascinating new research comparing broadband data usage across countries

and we hear Communications Minister Paul Fletcher's response to the controversial Julian Leeser private members bill

#46 Optus‘ Harvey White, Foxtel‘s Patrick Delany and Liberal MP Julian Leeser

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:13:28 +1000

In this episode of CommsDay Live:

* Grahame Lynch examines Liberal MP Julian Leeser's private members bill which would create expensive and unworkable new obligations on the telecom sector
* We speak with CSG's Haifa el Ashkar on how telcos will evolve out to 2030, with a focus on B2B
* We hear from Foxtel CEO Patrick Delany on its transformation into the streaming market
* Optus head of 5G Harvey White talks about the importance of partnerships in developing 5G
* Chief editor Simon Dux discusses the new ACMA 5 year spectrum outlook
* Executive editor Rohan Pearce discusses the Telstra deal to reclaim control of its stores from Vita Group

#45 Kantar Worldpanel‘s Tamsin Timpson talks SVOD in Australia

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 12:04:13 +1000

In this episode of CommsDay Live:

* CommsDay executive editor Rohan Pearce talks us through the latest complaints data from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and an unflattering take on how the telco sector is performing from Roy Morgan
* CommsDay chief editor Simon Dux looks at Telstra's involvement in providing 5G for a flying car race and the latest news from Fibreconx
* We have an extended discussion on trends in the Australian streaming video on demand market with Kantar Worldpanel's Tamsin Timpson

#44 Telstra CEO Andy Penn outlines T25 plan, RTI CEO Russ Matulich and CSG SVP Ian Watterson

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 11:57:28 +1000

In this episode of CommsDay Live:

* we hear from RTI CEO Russ Matulich about the new Go cable from Guam to Oregon which will expand US connectivity for Australian users traversing via existing cables to Guam
* CSG head of Asia Pacific and SVP Ian Watterson chats with us in a sponsored interview about strategies for improving customer experience at telcos
* we do a deep dive on the T25 announcement at Telstra Investor Day hearing from Telstra CEO Andy Penn direct and then chief editor Simon Dux rounding up Telstra's plans in the infrastructure, consumer and business segments

#43 NBN CEO Stephen Rue and Aussie Broadband MD Phil Britt

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 13:13:30 +1000

In this week's podcast we:

* do a deep dive on the new network upgrade announcements in this week's NBN corporate plan with CEO Stephen Rue
* discuss Aussie Broadband's massive market share gains and all the other announcements from this week's FY results with MD Phil Britt
* remember Reg Coutts who passed away this week

#42 auDA CEO Rosemary Sinclair & Superloop CEO Paul Tyler

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 12:41:58 +1000

In this episode of CommsDay Live we

* interview auDA CEO Rosemary Sinclair to find out what's happening in the Australian domain space
* speak with Superloop CEO Paul Tyler to hear about latest results and thoughts on the future, and
* hear from Uniti CEO Mick Simmons on opportunities and challenges ahead

#41 Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 17:20:36 +1000

In this episode, we speak to:

ACCAN CEO Teresa Corbin on her surprise move to Telstra to take a consumer advocacy role

Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin on the new SubHub platform

and, Vocus CEO Kevin Russell on a new cable connecting Darwin and Singapore

#40 Telstra CEO Andy Penn, NBN CEO Stephen Rue and Communications Minister Paul Fletcher

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 17:51:30 +1000

In this episode,

* Federal communications minister Paul Fletcher tells how he arrived at his spectrum cap decision this week,
* NBN CEO Stephen Rue describes the factors that helped the operator overcome some adversity to meet its targets for the FY, and
* Telstra CEO Andy Penn tells us about the trends in its core mobile business over the past FY

#39 Aussie Broadband MD Phil Britt, Superloop CEO Paul Tyler and Telstra Satellite's Ashley Grove

Fri, 06 Aug 2021 17:09:49 +1000

In this week's episode:

* Aussie Broadband MD Phil Britt talks about how churn wins fed its high 4Q growth and how COVID is impacting its NBN POI fibre deployment

* Superloop CEO Paul Tyler talks about the Exetel acquisition, and

* in a sponsored interview, Telstra's Ashley Grove talks about how businesses are adopting the NBN Satellite Service

#38 Luke Hartsuyker on the Regional Telecommunications Review, Peter Adderton on big plans at Boost Mobile

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 12:43:12 +1000

In this week's show we hear from:

* The CEO of Boost Mobile, Peter Adderton, about his plans to expand the MVNO into new areas such as mobile and NBN broadband.

* and, Luke Hartsuyker who is heading the triennial review into regional telecommunications.