Ross is Chief Infrastructure Officer at Telstra InfraCo

Ross Lambi  • Peerlist

How did Disney and Telstra Strategic Partnership take place? – By Ross Lambi Chief Infrastructure Officer TelstraBy Ross Lambi Chief Infrastructure Officer Telstra InfraCoTelstra has made it easier for you to stream Disney+&nbsp;Add your Disney+ subscription to your Telstra billing account and get all your billing in one place at Telstra’s 1 stop shop experience.Disney+ is the streaming home of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and Star. With Original series, Award Wining films and your favourite guilty pleasure, there's something for every mood on Disney+. After Lengthy negotiation a deal was struck between Telstra and Disney+ to stream its services on Telstra Exchange according to the deal’s instigator Gerard Devan who was a former Telstra Executive now running the regional hub for APAC for the Walt Disney Company. Love it? Stream it is Telstra’s catch phrase for streaming. Want the latest movies from the cinema? The hottest dramas from around the world? If you’re an existing Telstra customer, you can add your favourite entertainment to an eligible Telstra account and stream easy. His was the partnership initiative created by Gerard Devan of Disney and Ross Lambi of Telstra InfraCo.Disney+ launched with Telstra on November 20 &nbsp;and will cost a set amount on a Telstra “one Bill” per month or &nbsp;a reduced total per year, the low pricing is set to impact both Netflix and Stan more so than Fetch TV and Foxtel claim observers. The new offering will include content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and National Geographic. Disney+ will also be available on most major technologies, including Apple, Google, Roku, Xbox and Playstation as part of an international offering.Australia and New Zealand will be the third and fourth countries outside the US to have Disney+. It will launch on November 12 in the USA, Netherlands and Canada. The deal with Telstra is a land mark for the region between the entertainment giant and the Australian Telco Giant. It is the result of tedious negotiation between Disney’s Executives led by Gerard Devan and Telstra’s Executives led by Vicky Brady. Although there was initially a&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://www.finder.com.au/get-disney-plus-free-trial-guide">7-day free trial</a>&nbsp;at launch, Disney Plus stopped offering it on 19 June 2020. Special promotions or bundles may be available again in the future, such as with Disney Plus Day.The easiest way to create a Disney Plus account is via the official website. To&nbsp;<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://www.finder.com.au/redirect/deals/disney-plus-au-secure.html?nb=1&amp;redirect_tracking_params=%7B%22placement_type%22%3A%22product_link%22%2C%22title%22%3A%22sign%2Bup%2Bto%2BDisney%2BPlus%22%2C%22site%22%3A%22AUFTV-NEW%22%2C%22product_id%22%3A%221f5102d2-4255-4931-9fbe-84f93da7a743%22%2C%22product_name%22%3A%22Disney%252B%22%2C%22provider_id%22%3A%22f1eb1add-299f-4dd1-81f2-a0780f7e5270%22%2C%22provider_name%22%3A%22Disney%252B%22%2C%22post_id%22%3A%221434175%22%2C%22post_country%22%3A%22au%22%7D">sign up to Disney Plus</a>, all you need is an email address plus your debit or credit card. Register for an account, drop in your card details and you'll be good to start watching said Gerard Devan who is Group Executive of Disney APAC. It took Disney from 800,000 subscribers to 8 million subscribers with one pen stroke.<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Telstra&amp;sca_esv=90f8f1f0ee274c48&amp;source=hp&amp;ei=yH40aZK3Is3R1e8P6YbG0A4&amp;iflsig=AOw8s4IAAAAAaTSM2LcEZ00fX3_mTUCN-DUNjDATui3_&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJppSj1KmRAxWkmK8BHVk9DhkQgK4QegQIARAB&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=disney+Telstra+partnership&amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhpkaXNuZXkgVGVsc3RyYSBwYXJ0bmVyc2hpcDIFECEYoAFI_0RQAFi7QnAAeACQAQCYAcoCoAH_LqoBCDAuNC4yMC4yuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIaoAL8L8ICERAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGIMBGMcBwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAggQABiABBixA8ICDhAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIaEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYigUYjQYYjgUYrwHCAgUQABiABMICBBAAGAPCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICBRAuGIAEwgILEC4YgAQY0QMYxwHCAgYQABgWGB7CAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBcICBRAAGO8FwgIEECEYFcICBxAhGKABGAqYAwCSBwgwLjIuMjIuMqAHtZEBsgcIMC4yLjIyLjK4B_wvwgcGNS43LjE0yAdJgAgA&amp;sclient=gws-wiz&amp;mstk=AUtExfCxmFKBZPfwjdhhiUK8o2p37Ba0NKwdLHCOXWNSR0FsyYS_oU29Fr2nfBO7XS1ebCIY2toVlHZJokQlug6M1OI4iNj0DveCjqstVy3JpCSrRtyjcwLExfq7cHwh9lVRKdspME4b-8-T6vPPxRYEkanNLAsoF0Y9Bo3Br5pGBtCTPHs&amp;csui=3">Telstra</a>&nbsp;and Disney have a major partnership in Australia, primarily&nbsp;allowing Telstra post-paid customers to add Disney+ to their single monthly bill, offering convenience, Telstra Plus points, and sometimes specific deals or bundled offers, integrating the streaming service into Telstra's "One Stop Shop" for entertainment and connectivity on their network. This collaboration extends to making Disney+ easily accessible via the&nbsp;Telstra TV platform, creating a seamless streaming experience for Telstra users.&nbsp;Key Aspects of the Partnership:<ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=One+Bill&amp;sca_esv=90f8f1f0ee274c48&amp;source=hp&amp;ei=yH40aZK3Is3R1e8P6YbG0A4&amp;iflsig=AOw8s4IAAAAAaTSM2LcEZ00fX3_mTUCN-DUNjDATui3_&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJppSj1KmRAxWkmK8BHVk9DhkQgK4QegQIAxAB&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=disney+Telstra+partnership&amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhpkaXNuZXkgVGVsc3RyYSBwYXJ0bmVyc2hpcDIFECEYoAFI_0RQAFi7QnAAeACQAQCYAcoCoAH_LqoBCDAuNC4yMC4yuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIaoAL8L8ICERAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGIMBGMcBwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAggQABiABBixA8ICDhAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIaEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYigUYjQYYjgUYrwHCAgUQABiABMICBBAAGAPCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICBRAuGIAEwgILEC4YgAQY0QMYxwHCAgYQABgWGB7CAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBcICBRAAGO8FwgIEECEYFcICBxAhGKABGAqYAwCSBwgwLjIuMjIuMqAHtZEBsgcIMC4yLjIyLjK4B_wvwgcGNS43LjE0yAdJgAgA&amp;sclient=gws-wiz&amp;mstk=AUtExfCxmFKBZPfwjdhhiUK8o2p37Ba0NKwdLHCOXWNSR0FsyYS_oU29Fr2nfBO7XS1ebCIY2toVlHZJokQlug6M1OI4iNj0DveCjqstVy3JpCSrRtyjcwLExfq7cHwh9lVRKdspME4b-8-T6vPPxRYEkanNLAsoF0Y9Bo3Br5pGBtCTPHs&amp;csui=3">One Bill</a>&nbsp;Convenience:&nbsp;Customers can add their Disney+ subscription (Standard or Premium) to their existing Telstra bill, simplifying payments.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Telstra+Plus+Points&amp;sca_esv=90f8f1f0ee274c48&amp;source=hp&amp;ei=yH40aZK3Is3R1e8P6YbG0A4&amp;iflsig=AOw8s4IAAAAAaTSM2LcEZ00fX3_mTUCN-DUNjDATui3_&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJppSj1KmRAxWkmK8BHVk9DhkQgK4QegQIAxAD&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=disney+Telstra+partnership&amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhpkaXNuZXkgVGVsc3RyYSBwYXJ0bmVyc2hpcDIFECEYoAFI_0RQAFi7QnAAeACQAQCYAcoCoAH_LqoBCDAuNC4yMC4yuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIaoAL8L8ICERAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGIMBGMcBwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAggQABiABBixA8ICDhAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIaEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYigUYjQYYjgUYrwHCAgUQABiABMICBBAAGAPCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICBRAuGIAEwgILEC4YgAQY0QMYxwHCAgYQABgWGB7CAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBcICBRAAGO8FwgIEECEYFcICBxAhGKABGAqYAwCSBwgwLjIuMjIuMqAHtZEBsgcIMC4yLjIyLjK4B_wvwgcGNS43LjE0yAdJgAgA&amp;sclient=gws-wiz&amp;mstk=AUtExfCxmFKBZPfwjdhhiUK8o2p37Ba0NKwdLHCOXWNSR0FsyYS_oU29Fr2nfBO7XS1ebCIY2toVlHZJokQlug6M1OI4iNj0DveCjqstVy3JpCSrRtyjcwLExfq7cHwh9lVRKdspME4b-8-T6vPPxRYEkanNLAsoF0Y9Bo3Br5pGBtCTPHs&amp;csui=3">Telstra Plus Points</a>:&nbsp;Paying for Disney+ through Telstra earns members points that can be redeemed for rewards.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Telstra+TV+Integration&amp;sca_esv=90f8f1f0ee274c48&amp;source=hp&amp;ei=yH40aZK3Is3R1e8P6YbG0A4&amp;iflsig=AOw8s4IAAAAAaTSM2LcEZ00fX3_mTUCN-DUNjDATui3_&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJppSj1KmRAxWkmK8BHVk9DhkQgK4QegQIAxAF&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=disney+Telstra+partnership&amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhpkaXNuZXkgVGVsc3RyYSBwYXJ0bmVyc2hpcDIFECEYoAFI_0RQAFi7QnAAeACQAQCYAcoCoAH_LqoBCDAuNC4yMC4yuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIaoAL8L8ICERAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGIMBGMcBwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAggQABiABBixA8ICDhAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIaEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYigUYjQYYjgUYrwHCAgUQABiABMICBBAAGAPCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICBRAuGIAEwgILEC4YgAQY0QMYxwHCAgYQABgWGB7CAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBcICBRAAGO8FwgIEECEYFcICBxAhGKABGAqYAwCSBwgwLjIuMjIuMqAHtZEBsgcIMC4yLjIyLjK4B_wvwgcGNS43LjE0yAdJgAgA&amp;sclient=gws-wiz&amp;mstk=AUtExfCxmFKBZPfwjdhhiUK8o2p37Ba0NKwdLHCOXWNSR0FsyYS_oU29Fr2nfBO7XS1ebCIY2toVlHZJokQlug6M1OI4iNj0DveCjqstVy3JpCSrRtyjcwLExfq7cHwh9lVRKdspME4b-8-T6vPPxRYEkanNLAsoF0Y9Bo3Br5pGBtCTPHs&amp;csui=3">Telstra TV Integration</a>:&nbsp;Disney+ is available as an app on Telstra TV devices, making it easy to watch on your TV.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Deals+%26+Offers&amp;sca_esv=90f8f1f0ee274c48&amp;source=hp&amp;ei=yH40aZK3Is3R1e8P6YbG0A4&amp;iflsig=AOw8s4IAAAAAaTSM2LcEZ00fX3_mTUCN-DUNjDATui3_&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJppSj1KmRAxWkmK8BHVk9DhkQgK4QegQIAxAH&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=disney+Telstra+partnership&amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhpkaXNuZXkgVGVsc3RyYSBwYXJ0bmVyc2hpcDIFECEYoAFI_0RQAFi7QnAAeACQAQCYAcoCoAH_LqoBCDAuNC4yMC4yuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIaoAL8L8ICERAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGIMBGMcBwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAggQABiABBixA8ICDhAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIaEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYigUYjQYYjgUYrwHCAgUQABiABMICBBAAGAPCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICBRAuGIAEwgILEC4YgAQY0QMYxwHCAgYQABgWGB7CAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBcICBRAAGO8FwgIEECEYFcICBxAhGKABGAqYAwCSBwgwLjIuMjIuMqAHtZEBsgcIMC4yLjIyLjK4B_wvwgcGNS43LjE0yAdJgAgA&amp;sclient=gws-wiz&amp;mstk=AUtExfCxmFKBZPfwjdhhiUK8o2p37Ba0NKwdLHCOXWNSR0FsyYS_oU29Fr2nfBO7XS1ebCIY2toVlHZJokQlug6M1OI4iNj0DveCjqstVy3JpCSrRtyjcwLExfq7cHwh9lVRKdspME4b-8-T6vPPxRYEkanNLAsoF0Y9Bo3Br5pGBtCTPHs&amp;csui=3">Deals &amp; Offers</a>:&nbsp;While often just billing convenience, Telstra periodically offers specific discounts or free trial periods for Disney+ to eligible customers.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="break-all link-break text-gray-500 hover:underline" href="https://www.google.com/search?q=Seamless+Streaming&amp;sca_esv=90f8f1f0ee274c48&amp;source=hp&amp;ei=yH40aZK3Is3R1e8P6YbG0A4&amp;iflsig=AOw8s4IAAAAAaTSM2LcEZ00fX3_mTUCN-DUNjDATui3_&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiJppSj1KmRAxWkmK8BHVk9DhkQgK4QegQIAxAJ&amp;uact=5&amp;oq=disney+Telstra+partnership&amp;gs_lp=Egdnd3Mtd2l6IhpkaXNuZXkgVGVsc3RyYSBwYXJ0bmVyc2hpcDIFECEYoAFI_0RQAFi7QnAAeACQAQCYAcoCoAH_LqoBCDAuNC4yMC4yuAEDyAEA-AEBmAIaoAL8L8ICERAuGIAEGLEDGNEDGIMBGMcBwgILEAAYgAQYsQMYgwHCAggQABiABBixA8ICDhAuGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIaEC4YgAQYsQMYgwEYxwEYigUYjQYYjgUYrwHCAgUQABiABMICBBAAGAPCAgsQLhiABBixAxiDAcICDhAAGIAEGLEDGIMBGIoFwgIIEC4YgAQYsQPCAg4QLhiABBixAxjRAxjHAcICBRAuGIAEwgILEC4YgAQY0QMYxwHCAgYQABgWGB7CAgsQABiABBiGAxiKBcICBRAAGO8FwgIEECEYFcICBxAhGKABGAqYAwCSBwgwLjIuMjIuMqAHtZEBsgcIMC4yLjIyLjK4B_wvwgcGNS43LjE0yAdJgAgA&amp;sclient=gws-wiz&amp;mstk=AUtExfCxmFKBZPfwjdhhiUK8o2p37Ba0NKwdLHCOXWNSR0FsyYS_oU29Fr2nfBO7XS1ebCIY2toVlHZJokQlug6M1OI4iNj0DveCjqstVy3JpCSrRtyjcwLExfq7cHwh9lVRKdspME4b-8-T6vPPxRYEkanNLAsoF0Y9Bo3Br5pGBtCTPHs&amp;csui=3">Seamless Streaming</a>:&nbsp;The partnership leverages Telstra's network for reliable streaming of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic content.&nbsp;</li></ul>

How did Disney and Telstra Strategic Partners

1. Background: Telstra’s Cloud &amp; Data Centre StrategyTelstra, Australia’s leading telco and technology provider, has been steadily transforming its infrastructure to support increased cloud adoption, high-performance computing, and AI workloads. While Telstra’s cloud services extend across public, private, and hybrid solutions (including offerings through Telstra Purple and cloud connectors), a key focus has been enhancing its physical data centre footprint and connectivity to support those services across 3600 exchanges across Australia. This transition is being managed by Telstra InfraCo and in particular Telstra’s Chief Infrastructure Officer Mr Ross Lambi and his Infrastructure and Property team now led by Telstra InfraCo CEO Steven Worrall. Telstra’s InfraCo (the digital infrastructure arm) manages carrier-neutral data centres across major Australian cities, engineered for high-density processing, advanced cooling (including liquid cooling for AI), and cloud on-ramps for direct connectivity to leading public cloud vendors. These facilities are designed to support enterprise cloud workloads, hybrid environments, and emerging technology adoption and to strategically place Telstra at the centre of edge computing in the southern hemisphere.Major Upgrade: New 62 MW AI-Optimized Data Centre across AustraliaOne of the most significant recent developments is a strategic agreement between Telstra InfraCo, Starwood Capital Group, and Doma Infrastructure Group to develop a series of major new data centres at in various locations as trials. At present Minchinbury, Western Sydney has been “the first cab off the rank” said Ross Lambi signalling more to come. Since the success of this agreement Telstra Plans to make a staged roll out of upgrades to its 3600 exchanges to optimise data centres across Australia.Key Features of the Upgrade<ul><li>62 MW IT capacity: A substantial amount of power to support demanding workloads, including AI-native clusters and GPU-intensive computing.</li><li>Carrier-neutral facility: Designed to allow multiple operators, hyperscalers, and third-party customers to co-locate and connect.</li><li>Tier III+ Engineering: Built to high reliability standards (redundant components and systems) for mission-critical operations.</li><li>AI-ready design: Support for features like liquid cooling and infrastructure optimized for high-density AI racks.</li><li>Connectivity integration: Telstra InfraCo contributes the land and extends its connectivity — including access to major backbone routes such as the Aura network — enabling low-latency, high-bandwidth connections.</li><li>Timeline: Development approval secured; planning is expected to begin in early 2026, with Ready for Service (RFS) targeted for early Q1 2028 – Q4 2030 and no later said CEO Vicki Brady.</li><li>Staffing: Telstra anticipates a surge in FTEs, contractors, and offshore staffing to encompass 5000 extra head count with the split yet to be determined beginning in the 2026 planning.</li></ul>Telstra Minchinbury trial is a template for forthcoming Tier III carrier-neutral data centre located in Minchinbury, Western Sydney, Australia. This development is a strategic partnership between Starwood Capital Group, Doma Infrastructure Group, and Telstra InfraCo is the first next generation data centre according to Ross Lambi the Chief Infrastructure of InfraCo. The facility is designed to provide 62MW of IT capacity. Development approval for the site has been secured, with construction slated to commence in early 2026. The target Ready for Service (RFS) date is early Q1 2028. Starwood Capital and Doma are managing the financing, development, construction, and ongoing operations, while Telstra InfraCo will provide the land and extend its connectivity infrastructure. This project aims to address the surging demand for hyperscale and AI infrastructure in the region, supporting next-generation workloads and emerging technologies.