A regional success story
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 in September by the then Communications Minister, Senator Richard Alston, and ACCC Chairman, Graeme Samuels.
Southern Phone, the newest company at the awards, was 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 south east NSW.
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 in the region.”
The community owned company has been funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Networking the Nation Program. One of the major benefits has been the introduction of competition in regional centres.
The company has also generated 25 new jobs in 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.
For further information on Southern Phone call 13 14 64 or visit www.southernphone.com.au
