[AusNOG] Soul/TPG buying Pipe ...

[Michael Richardson]

I can remember when I was very new to networks, years ago, Bevan personally
helping to identify a duplex mismatch on a border router for the very small
ISP I was working for. There was no complaint made about our ineptitude, no
charges on the account. Nothing! Just very helpful service to rescue a tiny
ISP from a big (self inflicted) problem. I share this to highlight just how
much PIPE has done to support small ISPs, not just in the industry leading
sense.

My feelings echo most of those on list, though. I hope this works out well
for the industry, and existing PIPE customers, but I'd be very surprised if
it did. I think I'd feel the same if Dodo bought Internode  (ha!) or if
Optus bought iiNet.

Nevertheless, a big big thanks to Steve and Bevan for all of their support
to their tiniest customers and the industry as a whole over the years!



On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 7:30 PM, Glenn Powell <Lists at glenno.com> wrote:

>  Great words Skeeve.
>
> With my optimistic hat on for a moment.... Imagine Bevan taking a leading
> role in the formative stages of the NBN. That entrepreneurial spirit and
> drive shown with Pipe would well utilised at the NBN. I think anyone would
> be chuffed to reflect back on their career having started Pipe and flogging
> it for ~$300M, then influencing the NBN that went on to become the once in a
> lifetime nation changing project.
>
> Time will tell......
>
> Glenn.
>
>
> On Wed, 2009-11-11 at 17:43 +1100, Skeeve Stevens wrote:
>
> All,
>
> I'm quite disappointed in this move.... yes, it is just my little opinion, but it is mine to give.
>
> TPG's takeover of Soul, the way they run their network operations - from experience and the feedback of quite a few Soul staff, does not inspire me with any confidence with what will happen to Pipe.  TPG basically gutted Soul in several areas and I can't see how, unless they've changed the way they do things, that this will be any good at all for Pipe.
>
> Pipe, driven by Bevan and Steve have been amazing for this industry, building it, supporting it and making what it is today... I have never ever experienced TPG caring at all for the industry as a whole... sponsoring anything industry related or supporting it in other ways... if they have, I would like to be corrected.
>
> Now Wholesale.  I've been a big advocate of Pipe as a wholesale provider over anyone else - simply because of how much they've given the industry and my love for the guys.... but as a wholesale provider they never competed with ISP's in any real way.  TPG is a retail based ISP primary.. Soul does other things, but again they shut down their wholesale business of DSL and other things very quickly after the takeover by TPG.  What will happen to Pipe? Wholesale shutdown - prices up.. peering killed off?
>
> One question I would really like to ask is 'Why Bevan why?'... I realise you guys together only had 27% - but did you have no choice?  I am sure I am not the only one asking 'How could you do this to us?' Is it just about the money?
>
> In the end.. whatever happens, we will adapt.... you never really do know how things will turn out.  This might be a good thing... not that I can see how at the moment.  If they leave Pipe alone and let it do what it does best... great... if they gut it and integrate... sad panda for all.
>
> I see things like Pipe drinks disappearing, AUSNOG sponsorship disappearing, and amazing industry innovation - like PPC1 - things like that not happening anymore.
>
> I remember Bevans' speech at the Pipe Xmas part in 2008... about being here for the small guy... What happened.
>
>
> ...Skeeve
>
> --
> Skeeve Stevens, CEO/Technical Director
> eintellego Pty Ltd - The Networking Specialistsskeeve at eintellego.net / www.eintellego.net
> Phone: 1300 753 383, Fax: (+612) 8572 9954
> Cell +61 (0)414 753 383 / skype://skeevewww.linkedin.com/in/skeeve ; facebook.com/eintellego
> --
> NOC, NOC, who's there?
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: ausnog-bounces at lists.ausnog.net [mailto:ausnog <ausnog>-
> > bounces at lists.ausnog.net] On Behalf Of Matthew Moyle-Croft
> > Sent: Wednesday, 11 November 2009 4:58 PM
> > To: ausnog at ausnog.net
> > Subject: [AusNOG] Soul/TPG buying Pipe ...
> >
> > http://www.asx.com.au/asx/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=pdf
> > &idsId=01009869
> >
> > I'd cut and paste, but it's been disabled.
> >
> > Have a read.   How does the world change?
> >
> > MMC
> > --
> > Matthew Moyle-Croft
> > Peering Manager and Team Lead - Commercial and DSLAMs
> > Internode /Agile
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > AusNOG at lists.ausnog.net
> > http://lists.ausnog.net/mailman/listinfo/ausnog
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