TelstraClear fibre reaches Invercargill

Thursday, 14 September 2006

TelstraClear fibre reaches Invercargill

TelstraClear has laid fibre-optic cable to Invercargill as part of its $29 million new-generation fibre backbone network connecting key cities in the lower South Island.

TelstraClear South Island Manager, Andrew Fennell says the company has reached its first milestone three months ahead of schedule.

"We've laid 225 km of fibre, from Dunedin to Invercargill via Gore and the team is on track to complete the 950km build later next year, depending on weather and resource consents. This is great for customers who currently don't have a choice of service provider," Mr Fennell said.

The fibre-optic cable follows a route alongside the railway line from Dunedin to Invercargill.

"Conditions have been favourable for the contracting team, which is now relocating to start the next stage; the return path of the fibre loop from Invercargill to Christchurch via Queenstown," he said.

Once completed, TelstraClear will be able to deliver better services and pricing to more than 20,000 business customers in the lower South Island.

"Business customers will gain improved security of service and a choice of voice and data services. Our large corporate customers will have network connectivity to branch offices in those cities," he said.

The fibre build provides back up to TelstraClear's network, which until now, ended at Dunedin.

ENDS

© Scoop Media