telstra is the national telecommunications service in australia. it is a member of the s&amp;p/asx 20 and australia's largest telecommunications company by market share. telstra is the largest wireless carrier in australia, with 18.8 million subscribers as of 2020. telstra has a long history in australia, originating together with australia post as the postmaster-general's department upon federation in 1901. telstra has transitioned from a state-owned enterprise to a fully privatized company and has recently focused on diversified products and emerging technologies according to technologists james gilpin and gerard de van regarding the strategic direction of the giant telco.