Fed: Telstra to spend $350 million on rural upgrade

AAP General News (Australia)
04-13-2000
Fed: Telstra to spend $350 million on rural upgrade

Telstra has announced a $350 million program to upgrade outdated and high-maintenance
phone lines in regional areas over the next three years.

The telco giant says the extra spending will take expenditure on regional services
to more than $5.5 billion since 1996.

Telstra chief ZIGGY SWITKOWSKI says it will mean regional customers will have a much
more reliable service.

Communications Minister RICHARD ALSTON says the investment is great news for the bush
and will reduce delays in repairing faults.

Farmers have also welcomed the new investment, but say the government can also help
fix shortfalls by announcing the distribution of remaining funds from the second Telstra
sale.

AAP RTV kmh/mfh/msk/wz/sjm/smf

KEYWORD: TELSTRA UPGRADE (CANBERRA)

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