Telstra planning mass deployment of Internet kiosks

Stuart Corner
Monday, 01 August 2011 12:09

IT Industry - Strategy

After trialling 50 Internet kiosks from PieNETWORKS in capital city airports around Australia, Telstra has entered into negotiations with the company to supply terminals for a large-scale deployment.

PieNETWORKS (ASX: PIE) told the ASX today that the trial "has been deemed successful by Telstra" and that it would "enter into a negotiation period in order to agree the terms for the deployment of a larger network of pieNETWORKS' Hotspot Webphones in the Australian market.

According to PieNETWORKS, the four month assessment period ended on 27 May and "After analysing the information gathered from the market assessment, Telstra has advised pieNETWORKS that they deem the assessment a success, providing confirmation of the business case to consider expanding the network of terminals."

Recently appointed pieNETWORKS chairman - and former Telstra executive - Justin Milne said: "Hotspot Webphones are a 21st century upgrade for the payphone. These user-friendly touch screen and keyboard operated devices offer access to the Internet, WiFi, online payments (including coin slot payments for small bills and credit top-ups), telephony and direct access to a range of Telstra services."

PieNETWORKS announced the trial agreement with Telstra in March 2010. The initial schedule was that the trial would be completed by the end of 2010. Since announcing the Telstra trial it has announced deployments of the units in Westfield and AMP shopping centres in New Zealand, in branches of the Police & Nurses Credit Society of Western Australia and at Wellington and Christchurch airports in New Zealand.

The trial of PieNETWORKS' terminals was not Telstra's first foray into these devices, nor its first engagement with PieNETWORKS.

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