Telstra’s Connected Future 30 drives a new industry narrative

Telstra’s Investor Day announcement of its new Connected Future 30 Strategy is a watershed for the telecommunications industry. But this is not because there is anything new about AI technology or digital infrastructure. Telstra’s achievement is to craft these elements into a narrative of growth and innovation that sets a new bar for the industry, and challenges the perception the industry is turning into a commoditised utility. In many ways, this is a response to investors spooked by higher cost of capital who want a reason for confidence in the industry. This will require the rest of the industry to respond in kind. Indeed, the impact will extend beyond the industry into other industries where the systematic application of AI and programmable platforms is underway. But in the short term, Telstra’s competitors must respond with similar strategies, or find themselves on the wrong side of investor (and customer) sentiment.