Telstra throws a bone to regional customers

Ivanhoe, Glenreagh and Goodooga will be connected to optical fibre in the next 12 months, according to the telecommunications heavyweight, as part of the Inter Exchange Network upgrade.

The telco said the upgrade will strengthen the core network and "provide more diversity", while also connecting three additional remote exchanges to fibre optic cable.

Telstra regional managing director of NSW, Roger Bamber, said currently more than 93 percent of the groups 1604 telephone exchanges in NSW are connected to optic fibre.

"Telstra had deployed optical fibre to Oakdale, Tambar Springs and Gulf Creek for the first time earlier this financial year and now another three regional NSW communities are planned," he said.

According to Bamber, the cost of upgrading the network is approximately AU$25,000 per kilometre of optic fibre. He adds that wireless and satellite technologies will also be "part of the solution" to reach isolated customers.