KEY POINTS:
Allan Freeth
Chief executive
TelstraClear
How would you describe 2006 for TelstraClear?
To quote Charles Dickens: "The best of times and the worst of times." We are gaining momentum in our business. We are into broadband pretty damn quick and we have the highest brand awareness the company has ever had in its history. The worst of times because it is taking too long to put these things in place.
What was your or your company's greatest achievement?
We are proudest of starting to turn the soil on the mobile 3G network in Tauranga. The approval and implementation of acquiring sites for the 3G network is important to us.
And greatest disappointment?
I think it is around the mobile termination rates. We are seeing old behaviours emerge in new companies. Behaviours we used to associate with one company are beginning to show in the other one, called Vodafone.
What do you think 2007 will bring?
I think it will bring a shake-out in the industry. There are the people who have the wherewithal, knowledge and capital to play seriously and that is Telstra, Vodafone and Telecom. I think there is going to be a lot of activity from those players as the effects of the Government's announcements become clear.
What will be the major challenges for TelstraClear?
Our major challenge is to stay on strategy and not get distracted by a lot of rhetoric that is flowing around the market ... to extend our access in places where we don't have a network and do that economically.
What do you expect from the economy in 2007 and how will that affect TelstraClear?
An economy still growing and with uncertainties, but nowhere as bad as some are painting it.
What was the most interesting business story of 2006?
Telecom and regulation, and Feltex.
Who was your mentor? What did they teach you?
Lots of people have helped a lot over the years.
Where are you going for the holidays?
I'm not going anywhere near an aircraft. We will do some stuff around Wellington and we may head off to Nelson to see my parents or may get to the bach in the Abel Tasman. We haven't got any fixed plans.
What will you be reading?
I have 40 books piled on the coffee table. I normally read two books at once: fiction and non-fiction. I have the biography of Stalin, one of Openheimer. I have another one on American presidents and crime novels.
