From
http://www.news.com.au/business/story/0,23636,23250497-14334,00.html

Telstra  today reported a net profit of $1.9 billion for the half year ended
December 31, up from $1.7 billion in the previous corresponding period.
Revenue rose 6.2 per cent to $12.4 billion.

"We have again exceeded analyst consensus, delivering not only strong
top-line revenue growth but also accelerating earnings at the bottom-line,''
Telstra chief executive Sol Trujillo said.

"Our transformation is revitalising every aspect of the business and we now
rank at or near the top of our global peer group on many key financial
performance measures.''

Telstra shares jumped on the news, and were quoted at $4.86 at 10.21am AEDT,
up 3.6 per cent or 17 cents on the day.

Earnings upgrade

For the fiscal 2008 year, Telstra now expects total revenue to grow by 3 to
4 per cent, up from guidance of 2 to 3 per cent.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) is
forecast to grow by 4 to 5 per cent, up from guidance of 3 to 4 per cent.

Earnings before interest and tax is projected to grow by 6 to 8 per cent, up
from guidance of 5 to 7 per cent.

Telstra said its first half result was underpinned by strong sales across
all its retail business units and key product, including broadband, mobiles,
traditional fixed line or PSTN services and its online business Sensis.

"We are growing in the key markets of the future while securing our
traditional core business,'' Mr Trujillo said.

"Despite fierce price competition, we have again won broadband and post-paid
mobile market share from competitors and grown average revenue per user
(ARPU). We have again defied global trends by growing our retail PSTN
business.

"And given this strong overall performance, we have raised guidance,'' he
said.

Mr Trujillo said the company was committed to taking part in government
plans to set up a high speed broadband fibre-to-the-node network.

Telstra "looks forward'' to talks with federal communications minister
Stephen Conroy.