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Telstra trials copper network improvements

Telstra will be conducting a limited trial of technology to improve its copper network that could increase the number of ADSL ports available and bring welcome relief to customers.
Written by Josh Taylor, Contributor

in brief Telstra will be conducting a limited trial of technology to improve its copper network that could increase the number of ADSL ports available and bring welcome relief to customers.

The project, code-named "Delta", will see Telstra run a limited trial of a prototype that the telco told ZDNet Australia would "provide a low-cost solution to increase availability of ADSL ports to customers on existing infrastructure to meet existing demand". The news was first revealed by Communications Day this morning, which reported that the project would include an upgrade to street cabinets that will allow Telstra to fit more equipment, so that it could add more services and customers on its network.

Despite the expectation that the finalisation of the $11 billion deal with the National Broadband Network (NBN) — to decommission its copper network, lease its ducts and pipes to NBN Co and move its customers onto the NBN — is going to be announced on Thursday, Telstra said that it is committed to upgrading its copper network for the time being.

"It will hopefully be great news for residents and businesses in areas covered by RIMs, which at the moment have limited or no ADSL port capacity," Telstra said. "We are constantly looking at ways to improve our broadband service and coverage for our customers, and this is a trial for that very purpose. If it were to proceed, the extra capacity, which we expect to be limited to the tens of thousands of ports, will be available to both wholesale and retail customers in the usual way."

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