• Infosys will acquire 75% of Versent, while Telstra keeps a 25% minority stake.
• The transaction is aligned with Telstra’s Connected Future 30 strategy to concentrate on connectivity.
What happened：Telstra offloads Versent stake
Telstra will offload a controlling 75 per cent interest in its cloud subsidiary Versent Group to Infosys in a deal valued at A$233 million. The arrangement gives Infosys operational control, while Telstra remains a minority partner with a 25 per cent holding. Payment is structured with A$175 million upfront and the remainder dependent on performance targets.
Versent, which bundles together assets from Telstra Purple and earlier acquisitions, posted A$397 million in revenue in FY25. The sale is scheduled to close in the second half of FY26, pending regulatory approval. Infosys has confirmed it will integrate its Topaz AI suite, Cobalt cloud platform and enhanced cybersecurity services into Versent, creating what the companies describe as an “AI-enabled digital transformation joint venture”.
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Why it’s important
The move fits with Telstra’s Connected Future 30 strategy, which aims to refocus resources on connectivity and infrastructure rather than spreading thin across enterprise IT. The telco has faced criticism for the underperformance of its enterprise division; stepping back from direct control of Versent addresses that concern while still leaving the door open to future growth via its retained stake.
For Infosys, the deal represents a deeper push into Australia’s enterprise market, giving it both scale and local credibility at a time when demand for cloud modernisation and AI-driven services is rising. More broadly, the transaction reflects a wider industry trend: telecom operators doubling down on their network strengths while leaving advanced IT integration to global specialists.
For Telstra, keeping a minority position in Versent means it can still benefit if demand for cloud services grows strongly in Australia. At the same time, Infosys gains scale and a ready-made client base, strengthening its local credibility. Deals of this type are becoming more common as telcos look to simplify their businesses while still giving enterprise customers access to advanced technology. The Telstra–Infosys partnership is a clear example of how the boundaries between connectivity providers and global IT specialists are being redrawn.
