Southern Phone
IndustryTelecommunications
Founded2002 (2002)
Headquarters
Moruya, New South Wales
,
Australia
ProductsHome phone services, Mobile phone services, Internet services
OwnerAGL Energy
Number of employees
160[1]
Websitesouthernphone.com.au

Southern Phone (also known as Southern Phone Company) is an Australian telecommunications company. It is located at Moruya, New South Wales.[2] Southern Phone was established in 2002. It operated as an unlisted public company until December 2019.[1] It was acquired by AGL Energy for A$27.5 million from 35 district councils.[3]

History

In 2002, Southern Phone was formed by councils in New South Wales, Australia in order to extend affordable telecommunications into regional communities.[1][4][5] The company received $4.77 million in initial funding from the Australian Government's Networking the Nation scheme. Local councils were shareholders,[1] retaining profits in the community. Councils purchased two shares for $1 each.[6] In 2017, Southern Phone had 35 shareholders including the Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Coffs Harbour City Council and Bellingen Shire Council.[4][6][7]

Optus Satellite partnered with Southern Phone in October 2017 to launch the national broadband network (NBN) Sky Muster.[1][8] Southern Phone uses the Optus 4G network, as well as parts of the Telstra 4G/3G network for its mobile services.[9] By 2018, Southern Phone had delivered over $14.8 million in dividends to local councils with shares in the company.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Leon Spencer (12 October 2017). "Southern Phone and Optus partner up for NBN Sky Muster service". ARN.
  2. ↑ Dominic Zietsch (14 October 2010). "Telco GM meets with Clarence Valley mayor". Daily Examiner Grafton. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018.
  3. ↑ "AGL rings in a new era with acquisition of Southern Phone Company finalised" (Press release). AGL. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  4. 1 2 "$2 Phone Investment Paying Big Time". Daily Examiner Grafton, N.S.W. 4 February 2013. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018.
  5. ↑ Laurelle Pacey (31 May 2002). "Southern Phone to ring in cheap calls". Australasian Business Intelligence. Archived from the original on 3 April 2018.
  6. 1 2 Bronwyn Haynes (27 March 2017). "Southern Phone dividends now paid". Crookwell Gazette. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
  7. ↑ "Southern Inlands Brekkie Wrap". Goulburn Post. 29 March 2017.
  8. ↑ Corinne Reichert (1 February 2018). "Ursys Signs on for Optus D2 satellite". ZD Net.
  9. ↑ "Southern Phone Mobile Plans Review". Canstar Blue.
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