Platform, Fortana join Point Cook fibre trial

Telstra trial heats up.

Telstra has signed sub-wholesaler Platform Networks and ISP Fortana to offer services in its Point Cook fibre network trial.

The two join a burgeoning list of suppliers that includes another Telstra sub-wholesaler ispONE, alongside ISPs Internode, Exetel and Dodo and Telstra itself.

Platform Networks managing director David Hooton told iTnews the company already had "five or six" of its 65-strong channel of ISPs and systems integrators interested in offering retail services to Point Cook residents.

"This is a new product we're experimenting with," he said.

"It's part of our NBN strategy to get involved in any fibre-to-the-premises projects. We've got a channel of wholesale customers who are also interested."

iTnews reported last week that 250 people had registered interest with Telstra to potentially take up the incumbent's fibre broadband service in the estate.

Other ISPs including Exetel and Internode also confirmed they had started taking orders.

There are about 1,500 homes covered by the Telstra fibre network, which replaces pair gain systems that had led to the suburb being listed as a ‘broadband blackspot'.

The trial is set to last for six months.