Telstra Corporation Limited (Telstra) was awarded the 2008 Excellence Award in the ‘Best Practices - Service Provider’ category by the TeleManagement Forum (TM Forum).

The award recognizes the efforts of Telstra and IBM in using the TM Forum’s Next Generation Operations Support Systems and Software (NGOSS) standards to develop a Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) for Telstra’s OSS transformation.

“In order to promote best practices it is critical that Service Providers request and implement industry best practices to provide the motivation and market for standards based products and processes to be implemented,” said Martin Creaner, President and CTO of the TM Forum. “This year we have seen some major and highly ambitious projects in the finalist category and are thrilled that Telstra has won this prestigious category.”

On accepting the award, Telstra Executive Director Network & Technology Mr Michael Lawrey said, “Telstra is half-way through one of the most complex and ambitious telecommunications transformations of its kind globally.

“We have partnered with global suppliers like IBM in our five-year transformation because they provide us with world-leading proven solutions and a focus on implementing the world’s best practice standards such as NGOSS.

“This award reflects the hard work of many of our people in continuing to find new and innovative ways to evolve industry standards and the significant business benefits of this approach in increasing flexibility and reducing operating expenses,” said Mr Lawrey.

“Considering the size, complexity, and schedule of Telstra’s transformation, what has been achieved by Telstra, not just through the adoption of SOA, but aligning it to NGOSS standards, is significant, and is providing considerable benefit,” said Mr Peter Bittner, IBM’s Chief Architect for this aspect of Telstra’s OSS transformation.

The ‘Best Practice Service Provider’ Excellence Award winner is recognized for their revolutionary approach to business operations and leading application of TM Forum industry frameworks and business standards.

The Excellence Awards were presented on 19 May 2008 during a gala dinner at the bi-annual TM Forum Management World conference in Nice, France. Winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, comprising leading industry and subject matter experts, analysts, and media representatives.

About the TM Forum Excellence Awards

With approximately 600 members in 65 countries, the TeleManagement Forum is the world’s leading trade association focused on the management of telecom, media, and information services. The TM Forum provides leadership, strategic guidance, and practical solutions to improve the way services are created, delivered, assured, and changed.

TM Forum established the Excellence Awards program to recognize the global leader in operational excellence and acknowledge the contributions which continue to take this industry in new and innovative directions.

About Telstra

Telstra Corporation Limited is Australia’s leading telecommunications and information services company, with one of the best known brands in the country. Telstra is the only true media communications company in Australia, providing customers with a truly integrated telecommunications experience across fixed line, mobiles, broadband (BigPond®), information, transaction and search (Sensis®), and pay TV (FOXTEL®). Telstra’s international businesses included CSL New World Mobility Group, Hong Kong’s leading mobile operator; TelstraClear Limited, the second largest full voice carrier in New Zealand; Reach Ltd, a provider of global connectivity and international voice and satellite services; and SouFun Holdings Limited, a leading real estate and furnishings website in China. By using an integrated suite of network and media assets, Telstra is creating a world of 1-click, 1-touch, 1-command, and any screen solutions that are integrated, operate in real-time, and are simple, easy, and valued by customers.