Optus plans buyout of Vodafone network

[Ext User(Giles)]

Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking to buy Vodafone's
network infrastructure and make Vodafone a virtual mobile network
operator. Vodafone would buy Optus airtime wholesale and resell it to
its customer base, similar to the way Virgin runs its mobile business
now.

Optus's thoughts turn to Vodafone - Australian IT 13/1/06
http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,17805291%5E15302%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html

Would be a coup for Optus, on top of the plans for Crazy Johns to
resell airtime as another Optus VMNO when its agreement with Telstra
runs out.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking to buy Vodafone's
> network infrastructure and make Vodafone a virtual mobile network
> operator. Vodafone would buy Optus airtime wholesale and resell it to
> its customer base, similar to the way Virgin runs its mobile business
> now.
>
> Optus's thoughts turn to Vodafone - Australian IT 13/1/06
> http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,17805291%5E15302%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html
>
> Would be a coup for Optus, on top of the plans for Crazy Johns to
> resell airtime as another Optus VMNO when its agreement with Telstra
> runs out.

Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.

[Ext User(Giles)]

> > Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking to buy Vodafone's
> > network infrastructure and make Vodafone a virtual mobile network
> > operator.

> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.

Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest consolidation
of the mobile market in Australia, ever.

Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer bases though -
it's not a merger or total business acquisition, it's just the network
infrastructure.

[Ext User(Dean Collins)]

same more or less as the foxtel optus pay tv agreement.

"Giles" <call125111@email.com> wrote in message
news:1137195330.748797.33740@g49g2000cwa.googlegro ups.com...
>> > Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking to buy Vodafone's
>> > network infrastructure and make Vodafone a virtual mobile network
>> > operator.
>
>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>
> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest consolidation
> of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
>
> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer bases though -
> it's not a merger or total business acquisition, it's just the network
> infrastructure.
>

[Ext User(Ed-)]

there would be far too much network duplication, therfore singtel buying
assets which are redundant would only make sense if it was to remove a
competitor from the marketplace, in order to be able to increase prices.

: same more or less as the foxtel optus pay tv agreement.
:
: >> > Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking to buy
Vodafone's
: >> > network infrastructure and make Vodafone a virtual mobile network
: >> > operator.
: >
: >> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
: >
: > Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
consolidation
: > of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
: >
: > Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer bases though -
: > it's not a merger or total business acquisition, it's just the
network
: > infrastructure.
: >
:
:

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:

>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
>>> to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
>>> make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
>
>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>
> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.

Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.

That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.

And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.

> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
> bases though - it's not a merger or total business
> acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.

Sure.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Dean Collins" <collins_dean"spam.me.here.
<collins_dean"spam.me.here."@hotmail.com> wrote:

> same more or less as the foxtel optus pay tv agreement.

Nope, nothing like it. That's just content sharing.


> Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote

>>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking to buy Vodafone's
>>>> network infrastructure and make Vodafone a virtual mobile network
>>>> operator.

>>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.

>> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
>> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.

>> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer bases though -
>> it's not a merger or total business acquisition, it's just the
>> network infrastructure.

[Ext User(Tom Smyth)]

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:42r9v8F1ko6i1U1@individual.net...
> Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
>
>>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
>>>> to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
>>>> make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
>>
>>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>>
>> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
>> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
>
> Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
> said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.
>
> That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.
>
> And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.
>
>> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
>> bases though - it's not a merger or total business
>> acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.
>
> Sure.

What if a separate business was created to combine and manage the
infrastructure? Optus and Voda would be billed for using it, and they would
also be the shareholders.

I've been trying to float that idea for *weeks*, albeit my idea involved
combining the infrastructure of all the networks.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Tom Smyth <TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote:
> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:42r9v8F1ko6i1U1@individual.net...
>> Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
>>
>>>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
>>>>> to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
>>>>> make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
>>>
>>>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>>>
>>> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
>>> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
>>
>> Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
>> said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.
>>
>> That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.
>>
>> And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.
>>
>>> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
>>> bases though - it's not a merger or total business
>>> acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.

>> Sure.

> What if a separate business was created to combine and manage the
> infrastructure?

The ACCC wont buy such an obvious end run
if they wont allow Optarse to buy Vodafone.

> Optus and Voda would be billed for using it, and they would also be the
> shareholders.

Irrelevant to what the ACCC cares about, a reduction in competition when
one of the majors lunches on one of the small number of competitors.

> I've been trying to float that idea for *weeks*, albeit my idea involved
> combining the infrastructure of all the networks.

No thanks. What works is real competition.

[Ext User(Giles)]

> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking to buy Vodafone's
> network infrastructure and make Vodafone a virtual mobile network
> operator. Vodafone would buy Optus airtime wholesale and resell it to
> its customer base, similar to the way Virgin runs its mobile business
> now.
>
> Optus's thoughts turn to Vodafone - Australian IT 13/1/06 http://australianit.news.com.au/articles/0,7204,17805291%5E15302%5E%5Enbv%5E,00.html

FYI, Crikey's analysis of a few days ago is now online
http://www.crikey.com.au/articles/2006/01/13-1622-8969.html

[Ext User(Tom Smyth)]

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:4300o2F1l2t6aU1@individual.net...
> Tom Smyth <TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote:
>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:42r9v8F1ko6i1U1@individual.net...
>>> Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
>>>>>> to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
>>>>>> make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
>>>>
>>>>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>>>>
>>>> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
>>>> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
>>>
>>> Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
>>> said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.
>>>
>>> That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.
>>>
>>> And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.
>>>
>>>> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
>>>> bases though - it's not a merger or total business
>>>> acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.
>
>>> Sure.
>
>> What if a separate business was created to combine and manage the
>> infrastructure?
>
> The ACCC wont buy such an obvious end run
> if they wont allow Optarse to buy Vodafone.
>
>> Optus and Voda would be billed for using it, and they would also be the
>> shareholders.
>
> Irrelevant to what the ACCC cares about, a reduction in competition when
> one of the majors lunches on one of the small number of competitors.
>
>> I've been trying to float that idea for *weeks*, albeit my idea involved
>> combining the infrastructure of all the networks.
>
> No thanks. What works is real competition.

You're right, but it pains me to think of the vast (and mainly unnessary,
technically) duplication of infrastructure. We're paying for all that crap.

It's a vicious circle comparing competition vs cost base etc etc.

[Ext User(brian w edginton)]

On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 01:37:23 GMT, "Tom Smyth"
<TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote:

>You're right, but it pains me to think of the vast (and mainly unnessary,
>technically) duplication of infrastructure. We're paying for all that crap.


Yeah!
A hobby-horse of mine.....imagine the coverage if , even, half of the
existing towers were spread across the country with access by all
customers.
Like the copper wire system.
We were lucky there wasn't the same "competition" mystique when the
PMG was doing its thing back when.
If this was a perfect world, we, probably, wouldn't
be in it.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Tom Smyth <TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote:
> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:4300o2F1l2t6aU1@individual.net...
>> Tom Smyth <TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote:
>>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:42r9v8F1ko6i1U1@individual.net...
>>>> Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
>>>>>>> to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
>>>>>>> make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
>>>>>
>>>>>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
>>>>> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
>>>>
>>>> Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
>>>> said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.
>>>>
>>>> That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.
>>>>
>>>> And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.
>>>>
>>>>> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
>>>>> bases though - it's not a merger or total business
>>>>> acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.
>>
>>>> Sure.
>>
>>> What if a separate business was created to combine and manage the
>>> infrastructure?
>>
>> The ACCC wont buy such an obvious end run
>> if they wont allow Optarse to buy Vodafone.
>>
>>> Optus and Voda would be billed for using it, and they would also be
>>> the shareholders.
>>
>> Irrelevant to what the ACCC cares about, a reduction in competition
>> when one of the majors lunches on one of the small number of
>> competitors.
>>> I've been trying to float that idea for *weeks*, albeit my idea
>>> involved combining the infrastructure of all the networks.
>>
>> No thanks. What works is real competition.
>
> You're right, but it pains me to think of the vast (and mainly
> unnessary, technically) duplication of infrastructure. We're paying
> for all that crap.

We are with banks, insurance companys, airlines, supermarkets,
etc etc etc too. The short story is that no monopoly ever delivers
anything like as well as real competition, even tho competition isnt
theoretically as efficient. In practice no monopoly is ever efficient
either, essentially because there is no incentive to be efficient.

> It's a vicious circle comparing competition vs cost base etc etc.

No its not. Anyone with a clue realises that no monopoly
with the supply of services ever works properly.

[Ext User(Nick W)]

Tom Smyth wrote:
> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:42r9v8F1ko6i1U1@individual.net...
>
>>Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>>>Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
>>>>>to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
>>>>>make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
>>>
>>>>Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>>>
>>>Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
>>>consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
>>
>>Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
>>said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.
>>
>>That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.
>>
>>And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.
>>
>>
>>>Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
>>>bases though - it's not a merger or total business
>>>acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.
>>
>>Sure.
>
>
> What if a separate business was created to combine and manage the
> infrastructure? Optus and Voda would be billed for using it, and they would
> also be the shareholders.

Isn't that what Telstra and Hutch have done with 3's network?
http://www.three.com.au/documents/Networksharemediarelease_700AD.pdf

-Nick

[Ext User(Horry)]

On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 22:47:04 GMT, Tom Smyth wrote:

> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:42r9v8F1ko6i1U1@individual.net...
>> Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
>>
>>>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
>>>>> to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
>>>>> make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
>>>
>>>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>>>
>>> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
>>> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
>>
>> Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
>> said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.
>>
>> That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.
>>
>> And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.
>>
>>> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
>>> bases though - it's not a merger or total business
>>> acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.
>>
>> Sure.
>
> What if a separate business was created to combine and manage the
> infrastructure? Optus and Voda would be billed for using it, and they would
> also be the shareholders.
>
> I've been trying to float that idea for *weeks*, albeit my idea involved
> combining the infrastructure of all the networks.

Annoying me with SMSs about this for *weeks* does not constitute "floating
the idea".

[Ext User(Tom Smyth)]

"Horry" <horacewachope@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:pt138yl59fwa.15vubbqr6mwhq.dlg@40tude.net...
> On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 22:47:04 GMT, Tom Smyth wrote:
>
>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:42r9v8F1ko6i1U1@individual.net...
>>> Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
>>>>>> to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
>>>>>> make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
>>>>
>>>>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>>>>
>>>> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
>>>> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
>>>
>>> Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
>>> said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.
>>>
>>> That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.
>>>
>>> And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.
>>>
>>>> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
>>>> bases though - it's not a merger or total business
>>>> acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.
>>>
>>> Sure.
>>
>> What if a separate business was created to combine and manage the
>> infrastructure? Optus and Voda would be billed for using it, and they
>> would
>> also be the shareholders.
>>
>> I've been trying to float that idea for *weeks*, albeit my idea involved
>> combining the infrastructure of all the networks.
>
> Annoying me with SMSs about this for *weeks* does not constitute "floating
> the idea".

I thought you were a rather influential figure in aus.comms.mobile. Are you
not??

[Ext User(Jeremy Quirke)]

"Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:430bfiF1lhdniU1@individual.net...
> Tom Smyth <TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote:
>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:4300o2F1l2t6aU1@individual.net...
>>> Tom Smyth <TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote:
>>>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:42r9v8F1ko6i1U1@individual.net...
>>>>> Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
>>>>>>>> to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
>>>>>>>> make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
>>>>>> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
>>>>>
>>>>> Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
>>>>> said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.
>>>>>
>>>>> That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.
>>>>>
>>>>> And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.
>>>>>
>>>>>> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
>>>>>> bases though - it's not a merger or total business
>>>>>> acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.
>>>
>>>>> Sure.
>>>
>>>> What if a separate business was created to combine and manage the
>>>> infrastructure?
>>>
>>> The ACCC wont buy such an obvious end run
>>> if they wont allow Optarse to buy Vodafone.
>>>
>>>> Optus and Voda would be billed for using it, and they would also be
>>>> the shareholders.
>>>
>>> Irrelevant to what the ACCC cares about, a reduction in competition
>>> when one of the majors lunches on one of the small number of
>>> competitors.
>>>> I've been trying to float that idea for *weeks*, albeit my idea
>>>> involved combining the infrastructure of all the networks.
>>>
>>> No thanks. What works is real competition.
>>
>> You're right, but it pains me to think of the vast (and mainly
>> unnessary, technically) duplication of infrastructure. We're paying
>> for all that crap.
>
> We are with banks, insurance companys, airlines, supermarkets,
> etc etc etc too. The short story is that no monopoly ever delivers
> anything like as well as real competition, even tho competition isnt
> theoretically as efficient. In practice no monopoly is ever efficient
> either, essentially because there is no incentive to be efficient.

But the existing model could be more efficient without unnecessary
triplication of network infrastructure in barely or unprofitable areas. i.e.
a subset of the operators provides coverage in such areas, and charges the
remaining operators through roaming agreements. These charges are balanced
through a different subset of operators providing coverage in another low
density area. Ultimately you might end up getting better overall coverage
that way.

[Ext User(Michael)]

"Tom Smyth" <TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote in message
news:3YZyf.1669$3E6.1112@news.cpqcorp.net...
>
> "Horry" <horacewachope@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:pt138yl59fwa.15vubbqr6mwhq.dlg@40tude.net...
> > On Sun, 15 Jan 2006 22:47:04 GMT, Tom Smyth wrote:
> >
> >> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >> news:42r9v8F1ko6i1U1@individual.net...
> >>> Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
> >>>>>> to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
> >>>>>> make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
> >>>>
> >>>>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
> >>>>
> >>>> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
> >>>> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
> >>>
> >>> Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
> >>> said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.
> >>>
> >>> That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.
> >>>
> >>> And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.
> >>>
> >>>> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
> >>>> bases though - it's not a merger or total business
> >>>> acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.
> >>>
> >>> Sure.
> >>
> >> What if a separate business was created to combine and manage the
> >> infrastructure? Optus and Voda would be billed for using it, and they
> >> would
> >> also be the shareholders.
> >>
> >> I've been trying to float that idea for *weeks*, albeit my idea
involved
> >> combining the infrastructure of all the networks.
> >
> > Annoying me with SMSs about this for *weeks* does not constitute
"floating
> > the idea".
>
> I thought you were a rather influential figure in aus.comms.mobile. Are
you
> not??
>
>

No, he's not

[Ext User(Michael)]

"brian w edginton" <edgo1@REMOVETHISbigpond.com> wrote in message
news:dhsls1lit9jppom1nbgjluj0cq13rhiq3b@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 16 Jan 2006 01:37:23 GMT, "Tom Smyth"
> <TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote:
>
> >You're right, but it pains me to think of the vast (and mainly unnessary,
> >technically) duplication of infrastructure. We're paying for all that
crap.
>
>
> Yeah!
> A hobby-horse of mine.....imagine the coverage if , even, half of the
> existing towers were spread across the country with access by all
> customers.
> Like the copper wire system.

And we have the shit now of having to work out who gets to use it, who is
"entitled" to it, even though they never paid a cent to it . . .

No thanks

> We were lucky there wasn't the same "competition" mystique when the
> PMG was doing its thing back when.
> If this was a perfect world, we, probably, wouldn't
> be in it.

[Ext User(Rod Speed)]

Jeremy Quirke <jqr@nospamausmobile.com> wrote:
> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:430bfiF1lhdniU1@individual.net...
>> Tom Smyth <TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote:
>>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>> news:4300o2F1l2t6aU1@individual.net...
>>>> Tom Smyth <TomS_13@a11.aone.net.au> wrote:
>>>>> "Rod Speed" <rod_speed@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:42r9v8F1ko6i1U1@individual.net...
>>>>>> Giles <call125111@email.com> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Interesting plan... Apparently Optus is looking
>>>>>>>>> to buy Vodafone's network infrastructure and
>>>>>>>>> make Vodafone a virtual mobile network operator.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Remains to be seen if the ACCC would allow it.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Yeah, that's an interesting one - it would be the biggest
>>>>>>> consolidation of the mobile market in Australia, ever.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Yeah, and I have the vague recollection that the ACCC has
>>>>>> said that they wouldnt allow Telstra or Optarse to buy it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> That was before 3 tho, so it may not be quite that simple now.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> And that was Fels too, not the current top ACCC monkey.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Optus and Vodafone would still have distinct customer
>>>>>>> bases though - it's not a merger or total business
>>>>>>> acquisition, it's just the network infrastructure.
>>>>
>>>>>> Sure.
>>>>
>>>>> What if a separate business was created to combine and manage the
>>>>> infrastructure?
>>>>
>>>> The ACCC wont buy such an obvious end run
>>>> if they wont allow Optarse to buy Vodafone.
>>>>
>>>>> Optus and Voda would be billed for using it, and they would also
>>>>> be the shareholders.
>>>>
>>>> Irrelevant to what the ACCC cares about, a reduction in competition
>>>> when one of the majors lunches on one of the small number of
>>>> competitors.
>>>>> I've been trying to float that idea for *weeks*, albeit my idea
>>>>> involved combining the infrastructure of all the networks.
>>>>
>>>> No thanks. What works is real competition.
>>>
>>> You're right, but it pains me to think of the vast (and mainly
>>> unnessary, technically) duplication of infrastructure. We're paying
>>> for all that crap.
>>
>> We are with banks, insurance companys, airlines, supermarkets,
>> etc etc etc too. The short story is that no monopoly ever delivers
>> anything like as well as real competition, even tho competition isnt
>> theoretically as efficient. In practice no monopoly is ever efficient
>> either, essentially because there is no incentive to be efficient.

> But the existing model could be more efficient without unnecessary
> triplication of network infrastructure in barely or unprofitable areas.

You can say the same thing about banks, insurance companys, airlines,
supermarkets, etc etc etc too. The short story is that no monopoly ever
delivers anything like as well as real competition, even tho competition
isnt theoretically as efficient. In practice no monopoly is ever efficient
either, essentially because there is no incentive to be efficient.

> i.e. a subset of the operators provides coverage in such areas, and charges
> the remaining operators through roaming agreements.

No thanks.

> These charges are balanced through a different subset of
> operators providing coverage in another low density area.

> Ultimately you might end up getting better overall coverage that way.

And a monopoly. No thanks.