Telstra will pilot FTTP network in June

Telstra has released the details of new fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network plans, declaring that a commercial pilot of the system will commence in new Queensland estates around June of this year.

Emerging from extensive laboratory testing, the fibre network will be built into selected sites, including a new estate in Greater Springfield and an apartment building on the Gold Coast.

Telstra anticipates that FTTP will be "selectively deployed by commercial negotiations" in newly built estates and new or refurbished multi-dwelling building over the next few years.

Telstra's chief executive officer, Dr Ziggy Switkowski, describes the new technology as an "economically efficient and innovative next generation infrastructure". However, he maintains that it will not replace the existing copper systems.

"FTTP is another string in our technology bow. It will play a future role in Telstra's network, along with copper, radio and satellite technologies, to ensure our customers have access to the latest innovative products and services," said Dr Switkowski.

A spokesman from Telstra claims the company will focus on new estates and new apartment buildings in the short-term, saying "it's not realistic at this time to dig up the streets with the copper network in them and replace them with fibre".

Telstra claim the FTTP network will enable the traditional network services of digital subscription television, broadband and telephony data transfer, with new capabilities to support high definition TV.

"For residential customers living in the commercial pilot areas, the benefits of FTTP technology include rapid access to broadband data services without service qualification checks, digital subscription television and multiple voice telephony services with fewer delays," said Dr Switkowski, adding "Customers will have easier and ready access to future enhanced products and services from the same access platform."

Alcatel have been selected by Telstra to provide the equipment for the FTTP pilot in Queensland.

Advertisement

Talkback 3 comments

    Telstra has been charging 13c ...Anonymous -- 06/04/04

    Telstra has been charging 13c per MB for Cable.
    Which is currently the FASTEST broadband network for home.
    and was the MOST expencive broadband just for few months ago.

    I dont see any of public will benefit from FTTH for VERY long time unless you're willing to pay 13c per MB again. what a waste of fiber/technology

    Great. Telstra can't / won't ...Anonymous -- 07/04/04

    Great.
    Telstra can't / won't supply my business with a 'full' phone line.
    They can't supply us with any form of broadband with the required speed (>500Kbits in real time).
    We are not in a remote area, within 8Kms of Perth CBD and within ADSL range but we are pair gained and Telstra refuses to fix the problem, even if we PAY for the upgrade.

    Fix the network the Australian taxpayer has paid, and continues to pay for, first then do the fancy stuff Telstra.

    As if this will make any diffe ...Anonymous -- 07/04/04

    As if this will make any difference to the average Australia that lives further than 15 km's away from their respective state capital city centre. Telstra will simply continue to rabbit on about "increased coverage" and "available to 96% of all Australians" when it is all nothing but smoke and mirrors. I live in a suburb of Melbourne but I cannot get cable broadband as the cabling rollout stopped before it got to my suburb. I also cannot get ADSL as there is optic fibre cable between my the exchange and my house. To add insult to injury, if I want an ISDN line to my house it will cost me a fortune due to recabling required (my house is 18 months old in a developing suburb????????). Furthermore, the only other option put forward by Telstra is satellite broadband which (apart from installation costs) would cost over $300 per month for a data transfer rate sufficient to justify the term "broadband". As long as Ziggy has his micro mobile base station on his roof in Toorak and can get all desired services wired to his door then all must be right with the rest of the country. Telstra continues to have absolutely no credibility and continues to abuse its monopoly.

Add your opinion

Latest Videos

Sponsored content

Power Centre - Content from our premier sponsors

Blogs

  • Suzanne Tindal Sick of broken tender sites
    Some of the state governments desperately need to invest in more user-friendly tender sites so that looking for information on government tenders doesn't have to be a game of blind man's bluff.
  • Array Cyberwar: What is it good for?
    In this week's episode, Cyberwar. What is Australia's place in the world of digital warfare? What are the implications for the NBN?
  • Array Is wholesale-only backhaul just a pipedream?
    The potential acquisition of Pipe Networks by SP Telemedia has raised the question about whether vertically integrated backhaul providers will mean higher wholesale prices for ISP customers.
  • More blogs »

Tags

Back to top

Featured