Crikey has previously reported on the camera-shy billionaire heading up TPG, David Teoh, and his reluctance to appear in the spotlight, but he made a rare public appearance today in announcing a new $1 billion deal with Vodafone. Essentially, Vodafone is using TPG’s fibre to improve its mobile network, while TPG is going to resell Vodafone’s mobile services.

Our spies on the ground report that gathered media were told they couldn’t take any photos at the event in Sydney because allegedly the network maps being shown at the event were highly sensitive. But bear in mind that much of the network coverage information can easily be gleaned from looking at Vodafone’s website. It couldn’t at all be because Teoh is camera-shy, could it?

Teoh was also said to have taken a long time to answer when questioned on whether he had recently flown to London to discuss buying Vodafone’s Australian operations from the global parent company, and said he would only talk about today’s announcements.