Telstra NextG traffic doubles every eight months

Telstra has revealed large growth statistics for its Next IP and NextG networks but says ongoing investment will focus more on systems and management than infrastructure.

Speaking at an American Chamber of Commerce in Australia event, Telstra chief David Thodey said the telco's IP network "is doubling every 19 months".

He also said that traffic on its Next G "mobile network is doubling every eight months" and that "wireless internet users are doubling every year."

"Name me another industry sector that is growing like this," Thodey challenged delegates.

"It is difficult to do so."

But he revealed capital spending by the incumbent wouldn't be "overwhelmingly infrastructure and network driven" in the future - perhaps indicating the telco's networks had capacity to cover continued traffic growth along the lines it was experiencing.

"Our capital investment is moving away from being overwhelmingly infrastructure and network driven - 60 percent of our investments are now focussing on systems, integration, software management tools and content," Thodey said.

"And we are moving away from simple network access and services to delivering integrated and tailored whole-of-business and whole-of-household communications solutions."

Thodey also used his address to call for the Federal Government to institute a "renewed national focus on research and development" to drive Australian innovation forward.

He believed that required "coordinating our national R&D effort across business, government and the universities and research institutions, [and] commercialising and exporting the innovations that flow from those efforts as a nation."

Thodey also called on the Government to give skills "centre-stage" in any national reform.

"We need to ensure the Australian people have the technical expertise they need to develop and apply the communications solutions our nation needs," he said.

"We must ensure we have the skills to use next generation technologies at home, in the workplace and in the community because these skills give people the confidence that they need to be more productive in their everyday lives - and that personal productivity will translate to national productivity delivering the maximum benefit for everyone."