Telstra eyes Linux

Telstra will explore using the open source Linux OS as part of a new standard operating platform being scoped by the telecommunications giant as it looks to reduce its $1.5 billion annual IT budget. Such a move could see Microsoft further sidelined at its biggest Australian customer, following a recent deal with Sun Microsystems that will see Java 2 used as Telstra’s web services platform, as well as revelations that Telstra is considering Sun’s StarOffice desktop application suite as a possible replacement for Microsoft Office on some or all of its 45,000 desktops