This is interesting... Telstra, the Australian operator may be forced to split:
company Telstra may be forced to split in two to reconcile the need for a nationwide broadband network.
The communications minister Helen Coonan said making Telstra separate its retail and network businesses was one option being considered.
Telstra's plans to build a broadband network stalled over pricing after two years of negotiations with regulators.Australia's former telecoms monopoly was privatised in 2006.
The government now plans to hold an open tender for the building of the broadband network, but may make Telstra split its businesses first so there is a level playing field between rival bidders.
This is an interesting reminder of "size"... TelstraClear is the small player in New Zealand, but it's one the largest telcos in the world. The same goes for Vodafone, a company many Telecom critics forget is the largest mobile operator in the world.