Forget broadband, Telstra is moving into the apps business.
The blue telco has announced plans to take advantage of the recent growth in software with a new Global Applications and Platforms business.
The move is a bid by Telstra to move into new businesses and diversify in a “software defined world.”
“The group will work across the broad Telstra business,” a company spokesperson told SmartHouse, meaning it will be developing products for both enterprises and consumers.
“Telstra is moving from providing mobile and internet services to encompassing applications and integrated services” said Kate McKenzie, Group MD, Innovation, Products and Marketing, which the new startup applications business will be part of.
“Our industry is changing rapidly,” she said.
“The future is in the software layer and there is an application for absolutely everything.”
“With successful over the top players growing exponentially, we need to continue to find ways to take challenger positions in this space.”
The new Global Applications and Platforms business will operate as a startup company and will be built up over the next three years.
Former AT&T and EMC executive Charlotte Yarkoni, who is currently Telstra’s Executive Director (ED) of Applications and Platforms, will lead the new group from 1 March.
The group will also include the current Applications Marketplace and Experience Design team led by Freddie Jansen van Nieuwenhuizen and the E2E Industry Verticals team led by Andy Solterbeck.
The new organisation will take effect from 1 February 2013.
