The Telstra cost blow-out that led to a $7 billion bonus

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Friday, 27 June 2008 19:31

IT Industry - Strategy

In questions relating to any plans to work on Republican presumptive US presidential candidate John McCain’s campaign, Trujillo is reported to have replied “Nope.”

In questions on Telstra’s customers and upcoming profit results, Trujillo is reported by News.com.au to have replied: "On August 11 when we announce our results, I'll talk about all the rest of the business. Today, I'm here to talk about T[Life].”

iTWire’s article on the T[Life] store opening, which noted Trujillo claiming that Telstra was “bigger than Apple”, Trujillo briefly showed off the upcoming iPhone competitor, the HTC Touch Diamond, and made no mention of reported plans by Telstra to also sell the iPhone 3G.

Telstra simultaneously opened three other stores in Victoria, in the suburbs of Geelong, Doncaster and Chadstone, with Chadstone soon to host one of Apple’s new retail stores later this year.

T[Life] stores closely follow the Apple retail ethos of plenty of products on display for consumers to test and trial, with a [my]place area similar to the Apple store Genius Bar, where questions are readily answered, along with a training “auditorium” where free classes are on offer to consumers.

The T[Life] stores also offer free bottled water, free mobile phone battery recharging and free laptop battery charging.

Telstra is reportedly also planning T[Life] stores in Adelaide and Perth, but on a smaller scale than the Melbourne and Sydney flagship CBD stores.