iiNet rolls out more DSLAMs in regional towns

Optus backhaul options open up markets.

ISP iiNet has announced plans to roll its own DSLAMs out to eight "regional communities" in four states, on the back of "new competitive backhaul" options in those areas supplied by Optus.

Existing customers in the areas would benefit from being upgraded to "faster broadband with more quota, at no extra charge," iiNet said.

The communities were Campbelltown, Coffs Harbour and Wollongong in NSW, Mooloolaba, Caloundra and Toowoomba in Queensland, Geelong in Victoria and Bunbury in West Australia.

iiNet expected all infrastructure to be installed in exchanges by June of next year.

The expansion of iiNet's network "has been made possible due to new competitive backhaul transmissions provided by Optus," iiNet chief Michael Malone said.

"The key issue for us, particularly in regional Australia, has always been the availability of competitive backhaul. Where that exists, we are always open to investing to add to our network so more Australians can have the option of choosing faster, more affordable broadband."

Malone also said the ISP had earmarked "a number of other regional communities actively on our radar for future expansion" but did not go into details.