Richard Geyer is a 66 year old who lives in Adelaide, SA, and has been a Telstra shareholder for 10 years.

If I were Telstra’s CEO I would...I would stop banging heads with the Federal Government and the ACCC and start working with them - it's never too late ... learning from the old saying "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar". I would patiently sell the message that Telstra has a very sound case to be the sole provider of a wide reaching high performance telecommunications network for all of Australia. I would listen to Minister Coonan, listen and patiently explain the lessons of history. The Politicians on both sides of the house need to understand that a standard telecommunications network is not an area for business competition - however if established and maintained properly, it is the foundation upon which businesses grow and prosper ... in much the same manner as our road and rail networks, sea ports and airports are enablers of business.

If you asked me what I did, I'd say...Retired

I bought most of my Telstra shares in...T2

I bought Telstra shares because...We (my wife and I) consider the telecommunications network (wired, wireless and fibre) to be an essential infrastructure element for Australia ... an enabler of business and a good investment.

My first successful investment was...Marrying the right girl (in 1966).

The best investment I ever made was...Aside from marrying the right girl ... buying Argo shares ... low risk, Australian companies, a fair return and fully franked dividends.

What I learned from my worst investment decision...Don't buy the first model of a new car - let someone else find out the differences between the shiny sales brochure and reality.

The best investment advice I’ve ever been given...Debt is OK, but it must be 'managed debt'.

How I use telecommunications now...Internet services (Bigpond), mobile (NextG) and landline services (Telstra).

How I see the future of telecommunications in Australia...A "dog's breakfast" unless there are some major policy changes - the lack of a coherent telecommunications policy means that every day opportunities are being lost in business, health and education.