Telstra and DoCoMo sitting in a tree

So Australia’s favourite telco [Telstra](http://telstra.com)  has [signed a deal](http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200406/s1128829.htm)  with Japan’s [NTT](http://ntt.com/)  to licence their DoCoMo service. I just have one question though:

The agreement licenses Telstra to offer the i-mode service with DoCoMo providing its brand, technology and patents.

So what is Telstra bringing to the table then? Their growing customer base? Their reputation for reliability and fair dealing? Their flawless technical team? How about their trusted brand name or friendly and helpful staff?

If you’re not from Australia, gentle reader, let it be known that the last paragraph is dripping in catty sarcasm. Telstra’s providing a way for NTT to set up shop in Australia without actually having to go through the legal hoops of actually setting up shop in Australia. Also, with Telstra creeping more and more into being wholly traded on the open market (it’s halfway there now), NTT is likely to be one of the potential takeover suitors. After all, Australia’s number two is owned by Asia’s number one. NTT’s gotta want some of that pie.