Telstra, ISPs start signing up Point Cook customers

Telstra has revealed about 250 people from 1,500 homes covered by a fibre network at Point Cook registered interest in taking up broadband services from the carrier.

Other ISPs offering services in the trial, including Internode and Exetel, have also confirmed they are taking registrations.

In a brief video, Telstra's general manager for Melbourne Patrick O'Beirne said the 250 people had "come down" to the Telstra store in the suburb.

"We've registered their interest in taking up the service," he said.

Internode managing director Simon Hackett told iTnews he was "expecting the first connections ordered to be completed by Telstra within the next few days."

Exetel managing director John Linton said his ISP had registered 60 applications, 28 rejections and activated seven customers.

Telstra opened the six-month fibre trial to registrations about a fortnight ago. It has embarked on a substantial press and online marketing campaign since opening up the trial to competing ISPs.

The network replaces pair-gain systems in the area that had seen the development labelled a known "broadband blackspot".

The telco is also expected to provide the trial results to NBN Co under a deal brokered late last year.

Sub-wholesaler ispONE and retail ISP Dodo are also participating in the trial.