Telstra faces new regional competition with the launch of Soul Pattinson Telecommunications' (SPT) service between Sydney, Newcastle, Gosford and the Central Coast.
Following the completion of the first stage of its regional network, SPT commenced supplying bandwidth to other licensed carriers, ISPs, large corporates and government agencies late last week.
Michael Simmons, SPT's general manager, said the company had already signed up some customers, but would not reveal names. "In most areas the only other operator is Telstra. In some cases it might also be Optus."
According to Simmons, SPT is a "carrier's carrier", supplying bandwidth to other carriers across its high-capacity digital broadband network. The company will initially provide fixed and mobile telephony services, basic Internet access and advanced networking but also has the ability to provide broadcasting services, including digital TV to television broadcasters, Simmons said.
SPT is expected to begin offering services in the Gold Coast, Taree and Port Macquarie shortly. The network will be expanded between Sydney and Brisbane in the second stage of the rollout.
Simmons said SPT has plans for further expansion, but the network is unlikely to extend west of Moree in central NSW.
SPT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Washington H Soul Pattinson & Co. Construction of the network is being completed by SPT with some assistance from equipment supplier Nortel Networks, Simmons said.