• Southern Phone Declares $50,000 Community Dividend - 3 October 2008
• Narooma's Business Community Supported By Southern Phone - 1 August 2008
• Southern Phone Pays $11,510 Dividend To Eurobodalla - 22 January 2008
• Southern Phone Declares $50,000 Community Dividend - 8 November 2007
• Regional Telco Board Meets In Goulburn -Where It All Began - 25 June 2007
• Community Radio boosted by community owned Southern Phone - 11 January 2007
• Southern Phone celebrates four years - 29 November 2006
• Southern Phone records strong growth - 7 November 2006
• Broadband Network to Reach Shoalhaven Communities (18/4/2005)
• Southern Phone Goes Australia Wide (3/3/2005)
• Southern Phone Receives National Best Practice Award (7/1/2005)
• Broadband Delivery via the Electricity Network Successfully Trialled (14/12/2004)
• Bega Valley Shire Council and Southern Phone Combine To Extend Broadband Access (22/11/2004)
• Price Control on Local Calls Welcome says Southern Phone (10/11/2004)
• Sunshine Bay Kids Get a Helping Hand From Southern Phone (5/5/2004)
• A Big Mothers Day Present To Breast Cancer Support Group (3/5/2004)
• Telstra Increases a Disgrace says Regional Telco (30/4/2004)
• Cabinet Minister Visits Regional Success Story (14/4/2004)
• Southern Phone’s Broadband Network Extended to Young (25/3/2004)
• Southern Phone Improves Bega and Moruya Hospital Communications (18/2/2004)
• Moruya and Bay Students to Benefit From Southern Phone Broadband (24/1/2004)
• Orange Becomes 44th Shareholder in Southern Phone (10/1/2004)
• Southern Phone - Too Good to be True (28/10/2003)
• Southern Phone a Finalist as Best Regional Telco (24/9/2003)
• Highlands Community to Benefit From Partnership (2/9/2003)
• Communications Minister Launches Broadband Network (21/7/2003)
• Southern Phone Demolishes High Charges for Business Calls (11/7/2003)
• Broadband Network to Deliver Improved Services for Regional Areas (10/7/2003)
• Southern Phone Nominated As Best Regional Telco (3/6/2003)
• Southern Phone To Support Narooma Community Health Centre (2/6/2003)
• Moruya Basketball To Score A Share Of Southern Phone Profits (26/5/2003
• Southern Phone Gives Back To Community (23/4/2003)
• Southern Phone Signs 1,000th Customer (15/4/2003)
• Carrier Licence moves Southern Phone to next stage of development (6/3/2003)
• Shoalhaven becomes part owner of southern phone company (10/2/2003)
• First phase of broadband network rollout to commence (4/2/2003)
• Southern Phone business rates are lowest in Australia, says independent survey (13/1/2003)
• Community owned Southern Phone Company opens for business (20/11/02)
• Southern Phone Company signs broadband network contract (11/10/02)
• Southern Phone Company and Eurobodalla Shire Council sign $4.8 million funding agreement (25/9/02)
• Southern Phone Company development moves ahead (12/9/02)
• First meeting of the Southern Phone Company Board (8/8/02)
• Board named for Southern Phone Company (26/7/02)
• Board members wanted for Southern Phone Company (3/6/02)
• Go ahead for rollout of regional telco for south east NSW (27/5/02)

Southern Phone Declares $50,000 Community Dividend - 3 October 2008

For the second consecutive year Southern Phone has declared a $50,000 dividend that will be returned straight to the community through the company's local council shareholders.

Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the dividend delivered on the promise to the community that profits made by Southern Phone would be returned for community benefit.

"The company is owned by 41 local councils on behalf of their local communities and they paid just $2 each to take part," he said.

"We had agreed when the company was started in 2002 that the first three years would see profit ploughed back into the company to ensure its growth and we would aim to deliver a dividend after that.

"We're very pleased to have met that promise on time and in such a solid fashion and to return $100,000 in the last two years to the community."

The dividend to councils will be paid in proportion to the amount of business generated in each council area.

Southern Phone revenues for the last financial year increased to $17.9 million.

Southern Phone has a national customer base, employs a total of 45 people at its Moruya and Nowra offices and is a major contributor to the regional economy.

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Narooma's Business Community Supported By Southern Phone - 1 August 2008

The achievements of Narooma's business community will be recognised this year when the annual awards for excellence are presented at the Narooma Golf Club in October and once again the south coast's community owned telco Southern Phone will be lending support.

The Narooma Chamber of Commerce organises the annual awards, known as "The Monties".

Southern Phone is a long-term supporter of the awards and this year will be sponsoring the Excellence in Customer Service Award.

Southern Phone's General Manager, Phil Herrick said the awards were an opportunity for the town's business community to get together and celebrate.

"Narooma offers a special experience for both locals and visitors," he said.

"The beauty of the area must have some kind of influence because the town is very special, with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and Southern Phone is an integral part of that.

"Many of our employees are Narooma residents and we've been able to assist Narooma's business community with their telecommunications for the last six years."

The Monties will be held on 11 November. There are eight categories, topped by the prestigious Gold Montie Award

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Southern Phone Pays $11,510 Dividend To Eurobodalla - 22 January 2008

The $2 investment made in 2002 by the Eurobodalla Shire Council in the community owned telecommunications company, Southern Phone paid off handsomely today with the handover of a cheque for $11,510 which is the council's share of the company's dividend this year.

The council holds two shares in the company on behalf of the local community.

Southern Phone Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the dividend delivered on the promise made to the community that profits made by Southern Phone would be returned for community benefit.

The dividend is paid to councils in proportion to the amount of business generated in each council area. Neighbouring communities have also done well from Southern Phone this year with the Shoalhaven receiving $9,962 and Bega Valley $4,228.

"The Eurobodalla Shire is the home of Southern Phone and it is great to see the biggest dividend cheque coming back to this community," said Mr Hilzinger.

"And the dividend is not the only benefit the company brings, with a payroll of around $1.3 million each year injected into the local economy.

Southern Phone revenues for the last financial year were $16.5 million. The company is enjoying strong growth in its mobiles division with a 22% increase in the year.

The company employs a total of 49 people at its Moruya and Nowra offices and is a major contributor to the regional economy.

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Southern Phone Declares $50,000 Community Dividend - 8 November 2007

The south coast's community owned telecommunications company, Southern Phone, has declared a $50,000 dividend and it will all be given to straight to the community through local councils.

The dividend was declared at the company's Annual General Meeting held in Moruya this week.

Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the dividend delivered on the promise made to the community that profits made by Southern Phone would be returned for community benefit.

"The company is owned by 41 local councils on behalf of their local communities and they paid just $2 each to take part,"' he said.

"We had agreed when the company was started in 2002 that the first three years would see profit ploughed back into the company to ensure its growth and we would aim to deliver a dividend after that.

"We're very pleased to have met that promise on time and in such a solid fashion."

The dividend to councils will be paid in proportion to the amount of business generated in each council area.

Southern Phone revenues for the last financial year were $16.5 million. The company is enjoying strong growth in its mobiles division with a 22% increase in the year.

Southern Phone has a national customer base with 47 per cent of customers in New South Wales, 25 per cent in Victoria, 16 per cent in Queensland and the balance in other states.

The company employs a total of 49 people at its Moruya and Nowra offices and is a major contributor to the regional economy.

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Regional Telco Board Meets In Goulburn -Where It All Began - 25 June 2007

Five years ago a meeting was held in Goulburn that launched the very successful regional telco Southern Phone Company.

Today the Board of the company returns to the place it all began - the Goulburn Soldiers Club - for the one of their regular meetings.

Southern Phone is part owned by Goulburn-Mulwaree Council and the Upper Lachlan Shire Council - along with 42 other NSW councils who own a share on behalf of their community.

Company General Manager Phil Herrick said that today's meeting at the Soldiers Club provided an opportunity to measure how far the company had come.

"Back in 2002 when representatives from all the councils in the south east of NSW met to set up Southern Phone we had great plans to make a difference to regional telecommunications," he said.

"We have achieved a great deal of what we set out to do and today Southern Phone is a national telecommunications company with customers in every state.

"We are a full service telco offering fixed line, mobile and internet services and we have been instrumental in reducing the cost of services for regional Australians."

Mr Herrick said the company had seen strong growth in recent years with revenues increasing by 43 per cent in the last financial year from $12.2 million to $17.4 million.

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Community Radio boosted by community owned Southern Phone - 11 January 2007

The volunteer operated community radio station 2EAR-FM was given a boost this week with a cash donation from the South Coast's community owned telco, Southern Phone.

The funds were raised from a share of calls made by Southern Phone customers who nominated the 2EAR-FM as a community organisation they wanted to support.

According to the radio stations Kathy Shields the funds from Southern Phone will help the station deliver its programs to the Eurobodalla Shire community.

"The station has 40 volunteer presenters who provide programs that cover all areas of interest," she said.

"This support from Southern Phone will help us continue to deliver our services to the community."

Southern Phone has also provided support to the Moruya Basketball Association this week and recently sponsored the Make it Moruya campaign run by the local Chamber of Commerce.

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Southern Phone Celebrates Four Years - 29 November 2006

The south coast’s community owned telecommunications company, Southern Phone, is celebrating four years of growth and has marked the occasion with a major sponsorship of the Make it Moruya campaign.

Southern Phone was established in 2002 by a consortium of councils led by Eurobodalla Shire Council with the aim of building the local economy by reducing telecommunications costs for the community.

In the last four years it has grown to be a national telecommunications company providing fixed line, mobile and internet services as well as a telecommunications wholesaler. The company also recently opened a digital publishing division.

At the same time it has become a major contributor to the south coast economy with revenues last year of $17.4 million and jobs created for 55 local people.

Southern Phone Company General Manager Phil Herrick said the company has celebrated its fourth birthday by contributing a major sponsorship package to the Make It Moruya campaign that was launched this week.

“Building the local economy is the primary purpose of Southern Phone so it makes good sense to get behind the Make It Moruya campaign because Moruya is where we have our headquarters,” he said.

Mr Herrick also thanked the staff of Southern Phone.

“Our success has been a direct result of the talents and enthusiasm of a great group of people who come from all parts of the Eurobodalla Shire and also the northern Bega Valley,” he said.

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Southern Phone records strong growth - 7 November 2006

The south coast’s community owned telecommunications company, Southern Phone, reported a year of very strong growth at the company’s Annual General Meeting that was held in Moruya yesterday (Monday 6 November).

Company revenues increased by 43 per cent in the 2005-06 financial year from $12.2 million to $17.4 million.

At the same time the Moruya-based company’s contribution to the south coast economy grew with 55 people now employed and an annual payroll of $1.64 million.

Southern Phone was established in 2002 by a consortium of councils led by Eurobodalla Shire Council with the aim of building the local economy by reducing telecommunications costs for the community.

Southern Phone Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the exceptional growth during the year was achieved in an extremely competitive market.

“The strong cash flow has also allowed us to develop a new business venture in digital publishing that ties in well with Southern Phone’s charter as a regional communications company,” he said.

“As well we negotiated an agreement with Telstra that has allowed us to expand our operations and become a wholesaler of mobile phone services from mid 2006 and our first two wholesale agreements have been signed, both with Victorian operators.”

Mr Hilzinger paid tribute to the staff and shareholders of the company for their efforts and support during the year.

“We now have 42 NSW local councils holding shares in Southern Phone on behalf of their communities and we look forward to an exciting year ahead,” he said.

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Broadband Network to Reach Shoalhaven Communities - 18 April 2005

Broadband services in the Shoalhaven region on the NSW south coast will be greatly improved with the establishment of a new network by Southern Phone in a joint venture with Shoalhaven City Council.

The wide area network linking Nowra, Vincentia, Sussex Inlet and Ulladulla will allow council to deliver up-to-date service levels to the Shoalhaven community at affordable cost.

Shoalhaven Mayor Greg Watson will announce the latest joint venture during a luncheon at Shoalhaven City Centre on Monday April 18.

Southern Phone will provide funds for the hardware with council providing the sites and ongoing maintenance. Construction is expected to begin later this month.

Bega Valley Shire joined the Southern Phone regional broadband network in November 2004 when agreement was signed with the local council to linking the towns of Bega, Eden, Merimbula and Bermagui to the network.

“For regional economic development reasons the councils have formed a partnership that will see Southern Phone facilitate commercial access to the council-owned network at an affordable cost” said Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger.

“These networks are terrific new infrastructure that can help businesses grow and build employment.”

Southern Phone is owned by 42 NSW councils and was established two years ago with Commonwealth Government funds drawn from the sale of the first part of Telstra to increase regional telecommunications competition through lower prices and better service.

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Southern Phone Goes Australia Wide - 3 March 2005

The South Coast’s own telecommunications company, Southern Phone, is now extending its services to all states of Australia.

Originally established by Eurobodalla Shire Council in November 2002 and funded by the Commonwealth Government, Southern Phone currently includes 41 councils from NSW as shareholders.

However, with more than half of customers now located outside NSW, and shareholder enquiries coming from councils in Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria, it was decided at the recent annual general meeting to change the constitution allowing Southern Phone to become a national company.

Eurobodalla and other southern councils spent five years preparing before receiving a grant of $4.773 million from the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation scheme.

The objectives of NTN are to improve telecommunications services in regional Australia.

Southern Phone General Manager, Phil Herrick, said the company has grown beyond expectations and now has members in all states in Australia and provides local call, mobile and internet services.

“It started with a focus of 17 councils but there has been wide interest with enquiries from all over Australia wanting to know what Southern Phone is all about. It was decided to allow these other councils to become shareholders.”

Mr. Herrick emphasised that only councils can become shareholders, and the shares are a means of returning profits to the community.

Local organisations assisted by Southern Phone include the Moruya Basketball Association, the Illawarra Breast Cancer Support Group and Sunshine Bay Primary School P&C.

Southern Phone has contracts with Greater Southern Area Health and the Department of Education so Moruya and Batemans Bay hospitals benefit from affordable broadband services allowing rapid improvements in service delivery while school students have access to videoconferencing and super fast web access and emails.

Southern Phone has been recognised as an innovative company with a national award for its role in developing regional communications, a prestigious Regional Telco of the Year nomination and, locally, an Australia Day Achievement award.

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Southern Phone Receives National Best Practice Award - 7 January 2005

The community owned telecommunications carrier, Southern Phone has been recognised with a national award for its work in developing regional communications.

The award for Australia-wide Best Practice in Community Telecommunications and Communications Innovation was given on the Gold Coast recently by the Local Government Association of Queensland.

There are 41 local councils that hold shares in Southern Phone on behalf of their communities and the award was presented at a showcase of council innovations attended by councils from all Australian states and New Zealand.

Southern Phone General Manager Phil Herrick said the award was recognition of both the company and also the local council shareholders that helped the company grow to being a national provider of telecommunications services.

“In particular the award should be shared by the Eurobodalla Shire Council on the NSW south coast, who drove the initial development of the company,” he said.

Southern Phone was established two years ago with Commonwealth Government funds drawn from the sale of the first part of Telstra to increase regional telecommunications competition through lower prices and better service.

In the last two years the company has grown to become a full service telecommunications carrier with fixed line, mobile and internet services provided to the community at low prices. It has also developed a regional broadband network in south east NSW.

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Broadband Delivery via the Electricity Network Successfully Trialled
- 14 December 2004

Technology that allows the use of the electricity network to deliver broadband services has been successfully trialled on the NSW South Coast.

Called “Power Line Carrier”, the technology promises to provide a competitive alternative to the telecommunications network owned by Telstra.

The trial was conducted at the North Moruya Business Park and was supported by the community-owned regional telco Southern Phone along with Country Energy, Optus and Woomera Online, a consortium made up of equipment builder InnovaTech, installation experts Bytcan and Imagine Telecommunications.

The six week trial saw a number of businesses connected to broadband through the power lines running down the street allowing voice calls to be made through the internet, high speed internet use and downloads of movies on demand simultaneously.

Southern Phone Company General Manager Phil Herrick said the trial was a success in showing the technology works, but there is still some way to go before commercial rollout occurs.

“Demonstrating that the equipment can work on a live electricity network in an industrial area in regional NSW is a considerable achievement,” he said.

“The next step will come with the development of the next generation of the technology, the clear definition of standards by the Australian Communications Authority and the development of a commercial model.

“There is lot of development work underway around the world on using power lines for communications as the advantage to the community of the introduction of a competitive broadband distribution network that is essentially already in place is so clear.”

Mr Herrick said Southern Phone was actively exploring a number of emerging technologies with a particular interest in finding a sustainable means of delivering broadband to people in regional areas unable to get ADSL because they live outside major centres.

Southern Phone is owned by the community through 41 local councils and has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program to lower the cost of telecommunications across Australia.

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Bega Valley Shire Council Mayor David Hede (right) and Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger complete the landmark agreement

Broadband services in the Bega Valley Shire on the state’s far south coast moved to a new level today (Monday 22 November) with the signing of an agreement between Southern Phone Company and the Bega Valley Shire Council.

The council, along with 40 other NSW councils is a shareholder in Southern Phone with the benefits being passed through to their communities.

The agreement, signed at the Southern Phone Company Annual General Meeting in Moruya means businesses and other large broadband users in Bega, Eden, Merimbula and Bermagui will have access to a new network recently completed by council to create wide area networks to link branch offices.

Bega Valley Shire Mayor David Hede said the supply arrangement meant that the investment made by council in the network would not only deliver improved council administration, in accordance with its original purpose, but also be available as a tool for economic development.

Southern Phone Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the addition of the four centres to the Southern Phone network takes the company to a new level of development.

“They join Moruya, Batemans Bay, Queanbeyan, Young and Sydney as operational centres and they will soon be joined by Nowra, Vincentia, Sussex Inlet and Ulladulla,” he said.

Southern Phone has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s networking the Nation Program to lower the cost of telecommunications across Australia.

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Price Control on Local Calls Welcome says Southern Phone - 10 November 2004

The announcement yesterday (Tuesday 9 November) by the ACCC that it will control the price Telstra charges for local calls for at least the next three years has been welcomed by the community owned regional telco, Southern Phone.

The ACCC has said the price of a local call cannot exceed 22 cents and line rental prices will also be controlled.

Southern Phone General Manager Phil Herrick said it was extremely important for the community that the ACCC provide strong regulatory control in this area.

“For the ACCC to make this announcement on local call charges indicates their concern that the community may be forced to pay more without strong control,” he said.

“With the Government now actively moving towards the full privatisation of Telstra, the role of the ACCC in ensuring fair telecommunications prices for all Australians will become even more important.

“Southern Phone’s local call charges are well below 22 cents.

“They are just 16 cents to business and 17.5 cents to residential users and we will continue to provide strong competition to Telstra in line with our charter to introduce greater competition into the regional telecommunications market,” said Mr Herrick.

Southern Phone is owned by 41 local councils and has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program to lower the cost of telecommunications across Australia.

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Sunshine Bay Kids Get a Helping Hand From Southern Phone - 5 May 2004

Students at Sunshine Bay Primary School will have better facilities thanks to the efforts of the school P&C Association and community owned Southern Phone.

Company General Manager Phil Herrick today (Wednesday 5 May) presented a $250 cheque to the school P&C, the proceeds of a joint fundraising effort.

Students at the school currently enjoy a high speed broadband learning environment thanks to Southern Phone.

Mr Herrick said the support for the school was in keeping with the company’s commitment to strengthen the local community.

“Being community owned means that we have a real focus on delivering community benefit, both through low cost services and community support,” he said.

“For Southern Phone, the really exciting outcome for us has been the difference we have made to education and health services in both Batemans Bay and Moruya with the delivery of 21st century broadband to all the public schools and hospitals.

“It is essential for country towns to have affordable broadband connections if our community is going to take part in the benefits of the information age.”

Southern Phone is owned by 41 local councils including the Eurobodalla and Bega Valley Shire Councils and has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program to lower the cost of telecommunications.

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A Big Mothers Day Present To Breast Cancer Support Group - 3 May 2004

The community owned regional telco Southern Phone Company has honoured its pledge to strengthen and support the region by returning profits to the community and this Wednesday (5 May) is handing over a $1,833 cheque to the Illawarra Breast Cancer Support Group.

The is the first of many community groups Southern Phone has worked with to build the strength of the region and the cheque is a share of the company’s revenue over the last year. The cheque will be presented to Sister Gloria Swift and a number of support group members at the Wollongong City Council by company Chairman, Bill Hilzinger and company Director and City General Manager Rod Oxley

“We have given 5 per cent of the full year’s bill for long distance calls of everyone who became a member of Southern Phone and said they wanted to support the Illawarra Breast Cancer Support Group,” said Mr Hilzinger.

“Now we are delivering on our objective to strengthen our community and saying to people, not only will you save money yourself, but part of what you spend will go to a cause you care about.”

Mr Hilzinger said the company is supporting many groups in the region from charities to schools and sporting teams.

“The recent price rise by Telstra shows again how the big city based telephone companies view the community,” he said.

“Southern Phone has focussed on economic development in the region and we’re proud to have saved people money with our low long distance rates for business and the residential phone users as well as supporting our community”.

Southern Phone is owned by 41 local councils and has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program to lower the cost of telecommunications.

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Telstra Increases a Disgrace says Regional Telco - 30 April 2004

The increase in line rental and call connection fees announced yesterday by Telstra have been branded a disgrace by the community owned regional telco Southern Phone.

The line rental increases of up to $3.45 a month and the jump in call connection charges to 35 cents a call will hit people hard, especially in regional Australia, says Southern Phone General Manager Phil Herrick.

“Southern Phone was established with help from the Australian Government to reduce the cost of long distance phone calls for people in regional areas and this latest Telstra price hike shows how important the initiative is,” said Mr Herrick.

“Our prices will not increase and the price gap has now widened with Telstra residential customers now paying 35 cents which is 6 cents more that Southern Phone to connect every long distance call or fixed to mobile call and then being slugged again with per minute rates up to 50% higher than those we charge.

“It all adds up to a huge hit on ordinary people,” he said.

Telstra is also hitting people with new charges if payments are made by credit card.

Mr Herrick said Southern Phone did not charge its customers any more for this service and did not intend to introduce a charge.

Southern Phone, which was nominated as regional telco of the year in 2003, is owned by the community through 41 local council shareholders and all profits the company makes are returned to the community.

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Meeting the people behind a regional success story - Industry, Tourism and Resources Minister Ian Macfarlane (left) and Gary Nairn, MP for Eden-Monaro chat with Southern Phone's Julie Jackson (centre) and Linda Bennett (right)

Cabinet Minister Visits Regional Success Story - 14 April 2004

The community owned telecommunications carrier, Southern Phone Company which is one of the most successful regional development initiatives in NSW was visited today (Wednesday 14 April) by the federal Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, Ian Macfarlane.

The regional telco, based in the small country town of Moruya on the NSW south coast was established with assistance from the Australian Government just over a year ago.

In that time the company has created jobs for 31 people in Moruya and has developed a customer base across Australia, as well as building a regional broadband network.

The visit to the Moruya headquarters of the company was organised by the local federal Member of Parliament, Gary Nairn, who accompanied the Minister.

General Manager of Southern Phone, Phil Herrick said the visit was another indication of the strong support the company had enjoyed from the Australian Government.

“We are community owned and our objectives are to improve regional social and economic development,” he said.

“The support of the government has allowed us to deliver telephony services that have dramatically reduced the cost of keeping in ouch for regional Australians and our broadband network is now providing the means for improved health and education services.

“The employment created in Moruya has also had a significant effect on the town’s economy as Moruya previously suffered from one of the highest levels of unemployment in the state.”

While at the company offices Mr Macfarlane took the opportunity to meet staff and also met with local civic leaders.

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Southern Phone’s Broadband Network Extended to Young - 25 March 2004

The regional broadband network operated by the community owned Southern Phone Company has been extended to the major regional centre of Young.

The new link comes on line today (18 March) and has been put in place to serve the new Young District Hospital which opened this week, replacing the old hospital that had served the town since 1900..

Southern Phone already provides telecommunications services to a number of hospitals in the south east of NSW and the new link means health services provided to the Young community from their new hospital will be supported by a brand new broadband network.

Southern Phone works in partnership with the Southern Area Health Service to improve community and health services, a link that has been formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding between the two community-focussed organisations.

Southern Phone Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the extension of the community owned network to Young is a milestone in regional social development.

“The aims of Southern Phone and the Health Service are very similar, with improvements to regional services a number one priority,” he said.

“The partnership is bringing immediate benefits to our community with affordable access to broadband advancing improved health delivery in the south east of the state.”

“Southern Phone is committed to building the regional community through improved health and education services that are central community needs so we’ll continue to roll out our network and locate Points of Presence in as many regional centres as possible.”

Broadband connections have already been installed by Southern Phone at hospitals in Queanbeyan, Batemans Bay and Moruya as well as a link to the Department of Health in Sydney.

Southern Phone’s Network rollout has been funded by the Australian Government’s Networking the Nation Program. The company is owned by 41 local councils in regional NSW.

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Southern Phone Improves Bega and Moruya Hospital Communications - 18 February 2004

Telephone services at the Moruya and Bega District Hospitals have received a $200,000 upgrade thanks to the south coast based and community owned Southern Phone Company.

Both hospitals have seen new, state of the art, PABX equipment and associated phones installed, replacing aging equipment dating from the 1980s.

The new equipment will allow the hospitals to move into the future when new technologies that will allow voice calls to be made at very low cost through data networks come into play.

Southern Phone has already installed broadband data services to hospitals in Moruya, Batemans Bay, Queanbeyan and Sydney with Young Hospital soon to come on line.

Chairman of Southern Phone, Bill Hilzinger said the installation of the new PABXs at the hospitals was a key component of the company’s focus on improving regional health and education services.

“We are owned by local councils and have been funded by the Australian Government with the primary objective of improving social and economic development in the region,” he said.

“We have a Memorandum of Understanding in place with the Southern Area Health Service, who operate all the hospitals in the south east.

“This means we have a focus on providing them with broadband and other telecommunications services at very low cost so the savings can be used for health services.”

Mr Hilzinger said other hospitals in the region would also have their phone systems upgraded with Yass District Hospital next in line.

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Moruya and Bay Students to Benefit From Southern Phone Broadband - 24 January 2004

When school students at public high schools and primary schools in Moruya and Batemans Bay return to their studies this year they will enter a new world of high speed broadband learning thanks to the community owned Southern Phone Company’s new broadband network.

During the school holidays high-speed broadband links have been established by Southern Phone between the schools and the state’s broadband education network and are now in their final test phase. The schools connected to the network are the Moruya and Batemans Bay High Schools and the Moruya, Batemans Bay and Sunshine Bay Primary Schools.

The Southern Phone broadband network is already installed at the Moruya and Batemans Bay District Hospitals where it has been aiding the delivery of health care services in the Eurobodalla Shire for some months.

Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the connection of the schools was a major step in fulfilling a dream to improve regional education by opening the opportunities available through broadband.

“Each school will use the resource differently, but the end result will be a wider range of educational opportunities for students at the schools,” he said.

“Southern Phone will be continuing to roll out its broadband network in the region and we hope to be able to connect as many schools as possible.”

The network which is owned by the community local councils has been funded by the Australian Government’s Networking the Nation Program.

It is being used to provide affordable distance education, telemedicine, videoconferencing and internet access services for hospitals and schools in the south east of NSW. At this time Southern Phone does not offer broadband to residential or small business users but is about to start trialling new technology to make this possible.

Southern Phone also provides very low cost long distance phone services. The profits made by Southern Phone will be returned to the community through the 44 local councils that hold shares on behalf of their communities. All south coast councils are shareholders in Southern Phone.

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Orange Becomes 44th Shareholder in Southern Phone - 10 January 2004

Orange in the state’s central west has become the 44th community to take shares in the community-owned Southern Phone Company, one of the most successful regional development initiatives underway in Australia.

The regional telco has been established with funds from the sale of the first part of Telstra provided by the Australian Government. It aims to improve services and reduce the cost of telecommunications with a particular focus on regional Australia.

Since it started operations just over a year ago the company, which is based in the small town of Moruya on the NSW south coast, has grown strongly and now serves customers in all Australian states and operates a regional broadband network.

Southern Phone Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger has welcomed the Orange community as shareholders in Southern Phone.

“The company has made low cost long distance calls a reality for the region and now all profits generated in Orange will be returned to the local community through the Orange City Council,” he said.

Forty four councils from all parts of NSW have now taken two shares in the company, priced at $1 each. Only councils can hold shares, which are a means of delivering profits back to the community.

Councils do not invest capital in the project, or carry any risk, as the company has been funded by a $4.8 million grant from the Australian Government’s Networking the Nation program.

Mr Hilzinger said the company has proved to be a major stimulus to economic and social development in regional areas by reducing long distance phone charges.

“With long distance call costs now dropping to 12 cents a minute to anywhere in Australia at anytime, the regional community has a major barrier to doing business and keeping in touch with family and friends dramatically lowered,” he said.

“Our Broadband Network has allowed the introduction of improved education, health care and business opportunities in a number of regional centres through more affordable broadband access.”

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Southern Phone - Too Good to be True - 28 October 2003

The new community owned Southern Phone Company has encountered a rather unusual problem, with formal complaints being registered with industry and consumer watchdogs by people convinced that the story of community ownership and low cost phone calls is simply too good to be true.

Company General Manager Phil Herrick said that as the company has expanded its marketing, complaints had been lodged by a number of people with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and this week, with the Queensland Department of Fair Trading.

“It’s amazing, but for some people the concept of a community owned company that has been established with Commonwealth Government assistance to provide low cost services, especially for regional areas seems just too good to be true,” he said.

“We’ve had two formal complaints lodged with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and we’ve had people call from as far away as Western Australia and Cooktown to check that we were fair dinkum.

“We’ve been able to deal with all the complaints easily by assuring both the regulators and the people who have called us that we really have been established to meet those objectives and that we give all our profits back to the community through our local council shareholders.

Mr Herrick said he’d be very pleased if this continued to be the nature of complaints and that after nearly a year of operations there had been no substantiated complaints made to the industry watchdogs about the company.

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Southern Phone a Finalist as Best Regional Telco - 24 September 2003

The community owned Southern Phone Company was a finalist in the Best Regional Telecommunications Provider category of the prestigious Australian Telecom Annual Awards announced jointly in Sydney this week by Communications Minister Senator Richard Alston and ACCC Chairman Graeme Samuels.

Southern Phone was the newest company at the awards and named as a finalist in recognition of the tremendous growth achieved in the last year and the impact it has made on reducing the cost of phone services in the region.

Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger said that being a finalist and on the platform with the major players in the telecommunications industry was an award in itself for the achievements of the regional company.

“Because we have a regional focus we have delivered the lowest advertised rates for business in Australia and the lowest freely available residential rates in regional areas,” he said.

“We have also built the first stage of our broadband network in the south east of NSW that will have a significant impact on health and education services on the region.”

The community owned company has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program and one of the major benefits has been the introduction of competition in regional centres.

The company has also generated 25 new jobs in the Eurobodalla Shire on the state’s South Coast.

The profits made by Southern Phone will be returned to the community through the 40 local councils that hold shares on behalf of their communities.

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Highlands Community to Benefit From Partnership - 2 September 2003

A partnership between the Wingecarribee Community Foundation and Southern Phone has shown the community owned regional telco is moving ahead in leaps and bounds in its promise to support local communities.

The community based and owned Southern Phone’s main aim is to share its profits with local communities, which is done primarily through its work with community organisations.

Like Southern Phone, the Foundation aims to strengthen the local community by encouraging and supporting development in the area, and through partnerships with local businesses and individuals are able to establish funds and programs to support the changing needs of the Wingecarribee Shire.

The partnership between the two organisations will see Southern Phone give the Foundation five percent of the full year’s long distance bill of all business and residential customers who join Southern Phone and nominate the Foundation as a group they would like to support.

This means the partnership is ongoing with a constant contribution from Southern Phone to the Foundation.

“This partnership with Southern Phone will allow the Foundation to deliver on its promise to strengthen the local community more quickly,” said Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger.

The Foundation are equally as enthusiastic about the partnership with Board Member Nick Cleary saying, “it is wonderful to find an organisation who wish to put back into the community and by choosing the WCF as a partner Southern Phone will be able to reach and have some impact on the community as a whole.”

Southern Phone is owned by local councils throughout south east NSW, one of which is the Wingecarribee Shire Council.

The Foundation has already set up a youth philanthropy program and WCF Funds have been established to work in the areas of palliative and respite care, youth and the aged. Two scholarships for post graduate training in palliative care have been granted to local nurses this year, and professional development seminars in aged care are planned for October.

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Celebrating the opening of Southern Phone’s Regional Broadband Network (from left): Senator Richard Alston, Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger and Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Gary Nairn

Southern Phone yesterday marked one of the most important events in the company’s short life with the celebration of its official opening.

It was described by General Manager Phil Herrick as “a wonderful day for Southern Phone. Our values are all about community- maximising community and social benefit, not profit”.

The network was officially opened by Senator the Hon Richard Alston, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, who was also given a tour of the transmission facilities at Round Hill.

In his speech at the celebratory function, Sen Alston said, “I have always considered the establishment of a regional phone company to be a good indicator of the success of the Government’s policy to enhance competition, yet this concept has not been translated until now.”

“I hope the community can point to Southern Phone as one of the great regional success stories”.

Southern Phone, a community based company with 38 local council shareholders throughout NSW has only been established in the telecommunications market for six months.

It was established through what Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Gary Nairn considered to be both challenging and interesting process.

He said, however, “the great thing is that in the end we got it really right”.

Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger said, “we hope the company will have a positive impact on health, education and business by allowing them to operate in a more competitive economic environment”.

“Southern Phone is great example of three systems working together- federal, state and local government,” he said.

“To continue working along these lines will mean great things for Australia”.

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Southern Phone Demolishes High Charges for Business Calls – 11 July 2003

A community owned regional telecommunications company has added a new dimension to the debate about services in regional Australia and the proposed sale of Telstra by demolishing traditional long distance call pricing and introducing a plan for businesses that gives the first five minutes free for calls to anywhere in Australia at anytime

The community owned and Commonwealth Government funded Southern Phone Company has launched the plan that has a standard 33 cent connection fee, gives the first five minutes of call time for free and then moves to a very low 14 cents a minute – all with no plan fees, no contracts or hidden charges.

It all means that businesses can now call anywhere in Australia, anytime and talk for five minutes for not much more than the price a local call.

The innovative plan is the latest in a series of moves the community owned company has made to drive down the cost of telecommunications and then return the profits that are made straight back to the community.

Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the company has been funded by the Commonwealth as part of the Government’s response to the concerns of the regional community about the sale of Telstra and questions raised about competition in the bush.

“We’ve been set up to lower the cost of living for country people, introduce real competition to the regional telecommunications market and keep the profits in the local areas where they are generated,” he said.

“Our new business plan has thrown out the comfortable pricing models that have kept the big city based companies fat for so long.

“It means that for not much more than a local call you’ll be able to do business anywhere in Australia, whether it is in Sydney, Hobart, Cairns or Broome and that has to be good for regional economic development.

“The five minutes for free offer is available to all businesses no matter where they are in Australia - in the country or the city.”

Southern Phone has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program and one of the major benefits has been the introduction of competition in regional centres.

“We’re here to help create jobs by lowering the cost of doing business and also make it easier for residential long distance callers to keep in touch with family and friends with cheaper call prices,” said Mr Hilzinger.

“We are also building a broadband network in the south east of NSW that will have a significant impact on health and education services on the region that will be launched by Communications Minister Richard Alston on Monday 21 July.”

The profits made by Southern Phone will be returned to the community through the 38 local councils that hold shares on behalf of their communities.

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Broadband Network to Deliver Improved Services for Regional Areas – 10 July 2003

Health, education and community services in regional areas are set to benefit from the rollout of Southern Phone’s broadband network.

The network, which has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program, will be used to provide affordable distance education, telemedicine, videoconferencing and Internet access services for hospitals, schools and community groups in regional areas.

The network will be officially launched in Moruya on Monday 21 July by the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston.

The first beneficiaries of the new services will be the communities of Batemans Bay and Moruya where Southern Phone has already established network access points. Additional access points will be established in the next few months in other parts of southeast NSW, including Queanbeyan and Bega. Southern Phone also has a network access point established in Sydney.

Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the new network will open exciting opportunities for the south east of the state.

“Thanks to the support of the Commonwealth Government this region will have access to some of the cheapest bandwidth in regional Australia,” he said.

“That in turn will allow the economic and social development of the region to accelerate given the increasing reliance on business and service delivery agencies on affordable, abundant bandwidth to allow them to take full advantage of the opportunities presented by the information age.”

Connections have already been made to hospitals in Moruya and Batemans Bay and the Department of Education has requested connections to all the high schools and primary schools in both towns.

Southern Phone’s broadband network is based on digital microwave and fixed line connections.

About the new network

Southern Phone has been established with a grant of $4,773,000 from the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program which was established with funds raised from the sale of the first part of Telstra with the aim of improving regional telecommunications.

To avoid duplication of existing infrastructure, Southern Phone has formed a relationship with NTL Telecommunications, who operate a trunk broadband backbone through the region. The grant funds have been used to provide access to this backbone to regional centres and introduce competition into the bandwidth market in those towns.

Connections are in place in Moruya, Batemans Bay and Sydney, with Queanbeyan to come on line before the end of July. Other regional centres including Bega and Cooma will be connected in coming months.

Marconi Australia has been engaged as Southern Phone’s primary equipment supplier and they also provides network management and monitoring services through their Network Operations Centre.

In keeping with Southern Phone’s goal of promoting regional economic development, Nowra-based organisations Shoalcom and Sight & Sound Installations installed the network equipment in the first phase of the rollout.

Southern Phone also provides very low cost long distance phone services. The profits made by Southern Phone will be returned to the community through the 38 local councils that hold shares on behalf of their communities.

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Southern Phone Nominated As Best Regional Telco – 3 June 2003

The new community owned Southern Phone Company has been nominated as the Best Regional Telco in the 4th Annual Australian Telecom Awards.

The awards will be announced in Sydney this September at a function organised by Australian Telecom Magazine.

Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the nomination was recognition of the impact community owned Southern Phone has made on the regional telecommunications landscape.

“We have been able to deliver the lowest advertised rates for business in Australia and the lowest freely available residential rates in regional areas,” he said.

“Our community owned company has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program and one of the major benefits has been the introduction of competition in regional centres.

“We are also building a broadband network in the south east of NSW that will have a significant impact on health and education services on the region.”

The company has generated 22 new jobs in Moruya on the state’s South Coast and has signed up over 1,600 members in the last few months.

The profits made by Southern Phone will be returned to the community through the 38 local councils that hold shares on behalf of their communities.

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Southern Phone To Support Narooma Community Health Centre - 2 June 2003

The fantastic work the Narooma Community Health Centre Auxiliary has been doing to improve the equipment in the newly-opened centre is to continue with the support of Southern Phone Company and the Narooma Golf Club.

Community based and community owned Southern Phone has made an offer to all residents and businesses in the Narooma area that will allow them to save on phone calls and support the Health Centre Auxiliary at the same time.

The Golf Club is letting people know about the proposal through its community newsletter 3 Putt.

The offer from Southern Phone is to give 5% of the full year’s bill for long distance calls of everyone who joins Southern Phone and says they would like to support the Community Health Centre to the Auxiliary.

Auxiliary President Sandra Creighton said, “This is a great assistance to the charities in their local communities.”

“We are thrilled that we have been selected to be a part of this. It’s great to see something put toward much needed equipment for the community centre.”

The offer is open to residential and business customers, so the more people who sign up, the greater the contribution.

The work the Auxiliary has already undertaken has proved invaluable, and this ongoing contribution from Southern Phone will help them to continue providing the Health Centre with up-to-date equipment and technology.

Southern Phone is owned by local councils throughout south east NSW and its primary goal is to give back to the community, particularly through supporting local organisations.

The Narooma Community Health Centre Auxiliary is just one of many community organisations Southern Phone will work with to ensure the goal is achieved.

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Moruya Basketball To Score A Share Of Southern Phone Profits - 26 May 2003

Moruya Basketball Association will be helped on their way to achieving a major goal of building a new stadium with the support of Southern Phone.

The Association is the latest in a growing number of community groups to receive support from the community based and community owned Southern Phone.

When people sign up to Southern Phone, all they need to do is tell the operator they would like to see a donation made to Moruya Basketball and Southern Phone will donate 5% of that person’s full year’s bill for long distance calls to the Association.

The offer means Moruya Basketball will receive an ongoing contribution from Southern Phone rather than a one off donation.

Junior Director of the Moruya Basketball Association Donna Berry said the organisation was very enthusiastic to be working with Southern Phone.

“We were very impressed with Southern Phone putting money back into the community,” she said.

“We feel very lucky to be able to take advantage of this for the benefit of Moruya Basketball and hopefully with our members support we can gain a great deal from the offer.”

The Association have been lobbying to build a new multi-sport stadium for some time now, which they hope will not be used just for basketball but other sports such as indoor volleyball, soccer, cricket and netball.

Southern Phone is owned by local councils throughout south east NSW and it is their main goal to give back to the community, sharing their profits with community organisations.

Groups that Southern Phone has worked with already include the Illawarra Breast Cancer Support Group and the Narooma Community Health Centre Auxiliary and are about to embark on campaigns with a number of other organisations.

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Southern Phone Gives Back To Community - 23 April 2003

Today (Wednesday 23 April) will mark the beginning of the community owned Southern Phone Company’s pledge to strengthen and support the region by returning profits to the community.

The Illawarra Breast Cancer Support Group is the first of many community groups Southern Phone will be working to build the strength of the region. The group will be taking part in a new television advertisement being filmed in Wollongong today, that will be on air on the South Coast until Mother’s Day.

Southern Phone Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the support would not be a one off sponsorship, but an ongoing share of the company’s revenue.

“We will give 5 per cent of the full year’s bill for long distance calls of everyone who becomes a member of Southern Phone before Mothers Day to the Illawarra Breast Cancer Support Group,” he said.

“All that people need to do is tell us when they join Southern Phone that they would like to see that contribution made and it will be given in their name.”

Mr Hilzinger said the support for community groups will continue indefinitely, with many groups in the region to be assisted from support groups and charities, to schools and sporting teams.

“The big city based telephone companies make offers that can be pretty confusing and sometimes they give rebates if a customer brings all their services over, often at premium prices,” he said.

“Southern Phone has focussed on economic development in the region and we’re proud to have the lowest advertised long distance rates for business and the lowest freely available residential rate in regional areas.

“Now we are delivering on our objectives to strengthen our community and saying to people, not only will you save money yourself, but part of what you spend will go to a cause you care about.”

Southern Phone is owned by 38 local councils and has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program to lower the cost of telecommunications. Dividends declared by the company will be returned to the community through the council shareholders.

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Southern Phone Signs 1,000th Customer – 15 April 2003

Just four months after opening for business the community owned Southern Phone Company today (Tuesday 15 April) celebrated the signing of its one thousandth customer.

The landmark customer is Leanne McLaren from the south coast village of Milton, who discovered Southern Phone after seeing “those cute ads on television.”

“They really show that it is community based”, she said

This is welcome news for the company, as the advertisements have played a major part in underlining its role as an organisation whose primary purpose is to support and strengthen the local community.

The advertisements, which feature many local people and landmarks have been shown along the coast for the last two and a half weeks.

The company now also has the endorsement of 1,000 customers to spread the word even further, with Ms McLaren saying “I’ve rung my mum to tell her about it so she will probably be ringing in soon and my mother-in-law will be ringing in today. I’ll be telling everyone I know.”

Southern Phone’s low rates apply to long distance, international and fixed-to-mobile calls and the company has the lowest advertised rates for business in Australia and the lowest freely available residential rates in regional areas.

It is currently in the process of developing a broadband network.

If the company’s first four months are anything to go by, it will not be long before it proves itself in the telecommunications world, which has shown that people are prepared to move away from the big name brands to support a community initiative.

As Ms McLaren said, “It is worth doing your homework because it only costs a local call and can save you a lot.”

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Carrier Licence moves Southern Phone to next stage of development – 6 March 2003

The Southern Phone Company has moved to the next stage of development with the granting of a Carrier Licence by the Australian Communications Authority.

The new community owned telecommunications company is in the process of building a regional broadband data network with the first two centres expected to be line by May.

The company also provides very low cost long distance phone services with the aim of reducing the cost of living for country people.

Batemans Bay and Moruya on the state’s south coast have been chosen as the first links in what is expected to become a major regional broadband network serving a number of centres in the south east of the state.

Southern Phone Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the gaining of the Carrier Licence means the company can now roll out its network and offer low cost bandwidth that will be a major stimulus to regional economic and social development.

Our community owned company has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program to build a broadband network in the south east.

One of the major benefits will be in the introduction of competition in regional centres and the subsequent lowering of bandwidth cost for all users.

At this stage of our development we will only be able to provide broadband links to larger users and not residential or smaller businesses. However, we hope that in future we will be able to offer services to a wider range of users as the business expands, he said.

The Southern Phone broadband network is being developed using an existing network in the region owned by NTL Telecommunications as a backbone. Southern Phone is using its grant funds to extend the reach of that network into regional centres. This strategy means there is no duplication of existing infrastructure and the grant funds will benefit the maximum number of regional communities.

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First phase of broadband network rollout to commence – 4 February, 2003

The first two regional centres to be served by the Southern Phone Company’s new community owned broadband data network will be on line in April this year.

Batemans Bay and Moruya on the state’s south coast have been chosen as the first links in what is expected to become a major regional broadband network serving a number of centres in the south east of the state.

Southern Phone Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger said that along with the low cost long distance calls already offered by the company the broadband network will stimulate regional economic and social development.

“Our community owned company has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program to build a broadband network in the south east,” he said.

“One of the major benefits will be in the introduction of competition in regional centres and the subsequent lowering of bandwidth cost for all users.”

Mr Hilzinger said the first phase of the Southern Phone network would provide broadband links to schools in Batemans Bay and Moruya.

“It means these schools will have the opportunity to open exciting new horizons in education, with videoconferencing, high speed internet and a range of other applications that will expand the options available to students.

“At this stage of our development we will only be able to provide broadband links to larger users and not residential or smaller businesses,” he said.

“However, we hope that in future we will be able to offer services to a wider range of users as the business expands.”

The Southern Phone broadband network is being developed using an existing network in the region owned by NTL Telecommunications as a backbone.  Southern Phone is using its grant funds to extend the reach of that network into regional centres. This strategy means there is no duplication of existing infrastructure and the grant funds will benefit the maximum number of regional communities.

Anyone interested in finding out more about Southern Phone can call 13 14 64 or visit http://www.southernphone.com.au/.

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Southern Phone business rates are lowest in Australia, says independent survey – 13 January 2003

An independent survey has found that Southern Phone, the new regional community owned telecommunications company, has the lowest peak hour long distance rates for business calls and the cheapest freely available residential calls in Australia.

The survey is conducted by Phonechoice, an independent monitoring firm with researchers who constantly watch the prices offered by phone service providers.

The findings have been welcomed by Southern Phone Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger, who said he was not surprised to find Southern Phones rates were cheaper than other providers.

"Southern Phone was set up to reduce the cost of living and doing business in regional Australia and return profits to the community", he said. "As a community owned business we have set out to deliver the lowest possible pricing and this survey shows we have achieved our aim."

Phonechoice compares the advertised rates of major providers. On comparing the cost of a 3 minute intercapital long distance call it found a business would pay Southern Phone just 48 cents for the call, while a Telstra BusinessLine Plus Standard Option or AAPT Business Reach customer would pay 70 cents for the same call.

While Southern Phone came in third lowest in residential pricing, the two cheaper providers either did not serve all regional areas or required stringent conditions to be met.

The comparisons can be seen at the website phonechoice.com.au.

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Community owned Southern Phone Company opens for business – 20 November 2002

Southern Phone Company, the new community owned regional telecommunications company will open its doors for business this Friday (22 November) with the placing of its first advertisements in the local paper in the Far South Coast rural centre of Bega.

The company has been established by local councils with Commonwealth Government funding to improve regional telecommunications.

The cost of long distance calls will fall to just 12 cents a minute for calls over 50 kilometres and seven cents a minute for calls up to 50 kilometres. The low rates apply at all times, both day and night.

Southern Phone Company Chairman Bill Hilzinger said that while low cost phone services are available from Friday to every residence and business, no matter where they were in Australia, the company would begin marketing in a measured way.

“As a new business it is important that we don’t rush things, especially with the huge level of interest and community involvement we have,” he said.

“We will build our marketing presence over coming months and when all our systems are bedded down we’ll organise a celebration and formal launch of the company, which is one of the most significant regional development initiatives to happen in Australia in recent years.”

The Southern Phone Company is based in Moruya, a small town in the Eurobodalla Shire on the NSW South Coast.

It has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program, and as well as providing low cost long distance, international and fixed to mobile calls, will roll out a broadband network to a number of regional centres over the next three years.

Twenty-eight councils have taken or applied for shares in the company, with the shareholding being a means of returning profits generated by the company to the community.

Mr Hilzinger said the partnership between the federal government and local councils shows how significant improvements could be made to the regional community with vision and effort.

“The Eurobodalla Shire Council which has led the development of Southern Phone should be especially commended,” he said.

“And the support and interest now being shown by councils from all around NSW shows the genuine need to provide regional Australians with a competitive telecommunications market.”

People interested in finding out more about the company’s services can call 13 14 64 or visit the website at http://www.southernphone.com.au/.

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Southern Phone Company signs broadband network contract – 11 October 2002

The new community-owned Southern Phone Company signed a five-year contract with the major regional telecommunications carrier ntl Telecommunications in Wollongong today (Friday 11 October).

The contract will allow the development of a broadband network into regional centres in the south east of the state.

Chairman of the Southern Phone Company Board, Bill Hilzinger said the new broadband network will have a major impact on economic and social development in the region.

“The community-owned Southern Phone network will mean schools, hospitals and businesses in the region will be able to offer greatly improved services at a lower cost,” he said.

“The relationship we have formed with ntl Telecommunications means we will have the support of one of the largest regional networks in Australia and we will avoid duplicating existing infrastructure.”

The contract will allow Southern Phone to use the existing trunk backbone owned by ntl Telecommunications that runs down the south coast and west to Canberra and the Riverina.

Spur links will be built by Southern Phone to regional centres using a $4.8 million Commonwealth Government grant that was delivered by the Networking the Nation program.

Construction of the first stage of the Southern Phone network will commence before the end of the year.

The Southern Phone Company is owned by the local councils of the south east of NSW and aims to reduce the cost of many long distance calls by about half and will also develop a broadband data network to serve regional centres.

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Southern Phone Company and Eurobodalla Shire Council sign $4.8 million funding agreement – 25 September 2002

A milestone in the development of the Southern Phone Company was reached today (Wednesday 25 Sept) with the signing of an agreement in Moruya for the transfer of $4.8 million in Commonwealth Government grant funds from the Eurobodalla Shire Council to the company.

The community owned regional telecommunications company has been funded by the Commonwealth Networking the Nation program to reduce the cost of long distance phone calls and develop a broadband data network in the south east of NSW.

Development of the project over the last five years has been led by Eurobodalla Shire Council, which has now been joined by 23 other councils in the region as shareholders in the company, with all profits to be returned to the regional community through their council.

Eurobodalla Shire Council secured the federal grant funds for the project and they have now been passed to the Southern Phone Company to implement the project objectives.

Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Pam Green said the council has a real sense of achievement in getting the project to this stage.

"Southern Phone is one of the most significant regional development initiatives undertaken in Australia in recent years" she said.

"It has the potential to be a major stimulus to economic and social development by reducing the high long distance phone charges borne by country people and allowing the introduction of improved education, health care and business opportunities through more affordable broadband access."

Southern Phone Chairman Bill Hilzinger said the work done by the Eurobodalla Shire Council, supported by Shoalhaven City Council and other regional local governments, would have a huge impact on the regional community.

"Southern Phone will be introducing a new level of competition to the regional telecommunications market, cutting the price of many long distance calls by about half" he said.

"There will be new jobs created in the region and the first jobs will be in the company call centre being established in the small coastal town of Moruya which has a very high unemployment rate at present.

"Southern Phone is all about reducing the cost of living in the country to both businesses and residential users and we hope to see those saving go towards creating new employment opportunities across the region."

Mr Hilzinger also presented Eurobodalla Shire Council with the first share certificate for the new company. Councils in the region have been offered two shares at $1 each that will allow them to share in the profits of the company and return them to the community through works and services for community benefit.

The company expects to begin offering services before Christmas. Anyone interested in finding out more about Southern Phone, or register to become a customer, can visit the new website at http://www.southernphone.com.au/.

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Southern Phone Company development moves ahead – 12 September 2002

The development of the new community-owned regional telecommunications operator, the Southern Phone Company is moving ahead with low cost long distance phone calls expected to be available to the public before the end of the year.

Chairman of the Southern Phone Company Board, Bill Hilzinger said constant progress was being made.

"Every day brings us a step closer to the goal of reducing the cost of telecommunications in the region and this week has seen the fitout of the company headquarters and call centre in the small coastal town of Moruya get underway" he said.

"Today (Thursday 12 Sept) we launched our new website at http://www.southernphone.com.au to give people in the community the opportunity to learn more about the project and to allow them to register an interest in making use of the low cost services we will offer"

Mr Hilzinger said one obstacle to confront the company was gaining affordable insurance cover.

"Like community groups and small businesses around Australia we have found the cost of insurance to be a real problem and there have been some delays while we try to get reasonable quotes from the market" he said.

"However we expect to have this issue resolved shortly and will be able to put the foundations down to allow services to commence."

The Southern Phone Company is targeting the high cost of long distance calls faced by country people.

The company is owned by the local councils of the south east of NSW and is funded by the Commonwealth Government's Networking the Nation Program.

The company aims to reduce the cost of many long distance calls by about half and will also develop a broadband data network to serve regional centres.

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First meeting of the Southern Phone Company Board – 8 August 2002

The first meeting of the Board of Directors that will oversee the operations of the new community-owned regional telecommunications operator, the Southern Phone Company, will be held at the Queanbeyan Council Chambers this Monday (12 August).

The Board was appointed by the project Steering Committee after extensive advertising in the region.

According to Sue Whelan, the Chair of the Steering Committee and Queanbeyan City Deputy Mayor the new Board will bring a wealth of knowledge and business experience.

“They will guide the company as it strives to deliver community economic and social benefit through cheaper and better telecommunications,” she said.

“The development of the new company is entering an exciting stage with contracts being negotiated for the supply of services and Tender responses being evaluated for the building of a new regional broadband network.”

Cr Whelan said there has also been a very strong response from regional councils in getting behind the venture that promises to have a major impact on regional economic development.

“Already 15 councils have indicated they will be taking shares in the company and that means their communities will be able to share in profits from the venture,” she said.

Southern Phone is an unlisted public company, with two $1 shares available to each local council in the region. Profits distributed by the company will be returned to the shareholding councils for community benefit.

The company expects to begin offering low cost long distance, fixed to mobile and international calls in October this year and to begin construction of the Broadband network by December.

The headquarters of the company will be in the region, in Moruya on the NSW south coast.

The Southern Phone Company Project is supported by the Commonwealth through the Networking the Nation Program of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

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Board named for Southern Phone Company – 26 July 2002

The Board of Directors that will oversee the operations of the new community-owned regional telecommunications operator, the Southern Phone Company has been named.

According to Sue Whelan, Queanbeyan City Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Steering Committee that has overseen the first stage of the company’s development, the new Board will bring a wealth of knowledge and business experience.

“They will guide the company as it strives to deliver community economic and social benefit through cheaper and better telecommunications,” she said.

“All Directors have strong ties to the region and strongly support the concept of providing services for community benefit rather than maximising profit.

“Their experience ranges from large agribusiness to the energy industry, running the nations biggest media organisation, local government and the IT industry.”

The Directors of Southern Phone are:

Darral Ashton, Chairman of the Batlow Fruit Co-operative and Vice Chairman of the Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association.

Bill Hilzinger, previously Chairman of Integral Energy and the Superannuation Services corporation.

Brian Johns, previously Managing Director, ABC, CEO of SBS and Publishing Director of Penguin Books

Greg Malavey, Chairman of the federal government’s South East Area Consultative Committee, publisher and regional businessman

Rod Oxley, General Manager, Wollongong City Council.

Andrew Riley, Director of APIR Systems Pty Ltd, previously has held executive positions in various IT companies over the last 20 years.

The Company’s Interim CEO, Phil Herrick is the seventh member of the Board.

Southern Phone is an unlisted public company, with two $1 shares only available to each local council in the region. Profits distributed by the company will be returned to the shareholding councils for community benefit.

The company expects to begin offering low cost long distance, fixed to mobile and international calls in October this year.

The headquarters of the company will be in the regional town of Moruya on the NSW south coast.

The Southern Phone Company Project is supported by the Commonwealth through the Networking the Nation Program of the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

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Board members wanted for Southern Phone Company – 3 June 2002

Following the announcement last week that a new community owned telecommunications company is to be formed to serve south east NSW, an invitation has been issued to people with business experience in the region interested in serving on the Company Board.

The Southern Phone Company has been funded by the federal government’s Networking the Nation program to establish low cost telephone and data services in the region.

Sue Whelan, chair of the steering committee overseeing the project and also chair of the region’s economic development council says a seven person board will be formed to oversee company operations.

“While the community will own the company through their local councils, we need the skills of people with a range of business experience to make sure the company operates effectively,” she said.

“We’re looking for people with a strong commitment to the economic and social development of the region”.

The Southern Phone Company will operate in accordance with the Corporations Act 2001 as a company limited by shares. Only local councils will hold shares with profits returned to the community through their council.

More information is about the company structure and board membership at www.esc