Telstra's ADSL2+ expansion provides interim step to NBN

Telstra (ASX: TLS.AX) will soon connect almost 200,000 subscribers with ADSL2+, a group that had been limited to receiving ADSL-only service.

What prevented the incumbent telco from offering the service was the lack of necessary space in its remote terminal (RT) cabinets to house the ADSL2+ capable remote DSLAM equipment. To overcome that challenge, Telstra will "bolt" on a box to house the electronics on its existing cabinets.

Through its "Project Top Hat" initiative, ADSL2+ service will now be offered to both its existing retail and wholesale customers. Telstra is in the process of finalizing the 900 of the 2,000 Top Hat installation locations.

Project Top Hat is an interim step to provide higher speed broadband in areas where the National Broadband Network (NBN) services won't be immediately available.

Telstra said that "locations where National Broadband Network (NBN) rollout is imminent or on the roadmap for the near future will not be getting Top Hat technology."

For more:
- TeleGeography has this article

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