Telstra has lost about $12 billion in market value since Andy Penn stepped up as chief executive in May last year.

So you can understand he's looking to pull every lever he can to reverse the slide.

As Nokia boss, Stephen Elop entered corporate folklore with his "burning platform" memo: "We too, are standing on a 'burning platform'," he told staff. Credit:TeMaFoto Oy

A billion dollar bet on the Philippines? Sure, if there's a taker.

How about a flutter on whatever telco talent is currently floating about on the market? Other than Sol Trujillo, of course.