Hats on for faster broadband

MANY Narre Warren residents will gain access to fast fixed-line broadband following an upgrade of infrastructure last week.
Telstra is integrating new technology ‘top hats’ into the existing street cabinets that deliver telephone services to local residents and businesses. Previously, the cabinets were not able to support ADSL2+ technology.
Narre Warren North MP Luke Donnellan and La Trobe MP Laura Smyth attended the unveiling of Telstra’s ADSL2+ broadband top hat.
Vicky Allen, Telstra Country Wide area general manager for Melbourne Metro South East, said the new technology would make it easier for households to stream video, access their favourite internet sites and work from home.
“In the past, to permanently increase the broadband capacity of a street side cabinet, we had to build another cabinet alongside the existing one. This could take months of planning and network construction activities,” Ms Allen said.
“The top hat is essentially bolting ADSL2+ equipment on top of an existing street side cabinet. This means that we are able to quickly and efficiently make ADSL2+ services available to many Narre Warren households and businesses that previously could not access a fixed broadband service.”
Narre Warren residents can contact Telstra BigPond on 13 76 63 or visit their local store at Shop 1109 Westfield Fountain Gate, Magid Drive, for further information. Details of future areas to be upgraded with a top hat can be found on www.telstrawholesale.com.au