Telstra’s triple zero failure is a result of prioritising neoliberal ‘competition’ and reaping none of its benefits
An opinion piece argues that recent telecommunications failures in Australia, specifically by Telstra, are the result of neoliberal policies that prioritize market competition over infrastructure reliability. The author suggests that a return to public ownership or a common carrier model may be necessary.
Why it matters
The reliability of essential infrastructure is a critical public policy issue that impacts national security and daily life.
‘Telstra and Optus, the supposedly temporary duopoly established in the 1990s, still have 70% of the mobile network between them.’ ‘Telstra and Optus, the supposedly temporary duopoly established in the 1990s, still have 70% of the mobile network between them.’ Opinion Telstra Telstra’s triple-zero failure is a result of prioritising neoliberal ‘competition’ and reaping none of its benefits John Quiggin Perhaps we will return to public ownership of infrastructure networks. But for now we need to consider limited steps, with a more radical solution for fragile emergency services
The article explicitly critiques neoliberalism and advocates for public ownership, which is a left-leaning economic perspective.
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