Telstra-Saturn builds $50m network

BY RICHARD BRADDELL

The business market will be the first line of attack for TelstraSaturn's new $50 million internet protocol network, to be built by Ericsson.

The benefit of combining voice and data over one cable was demonstrated last year by Social Welfare which, in combination with Clear Communications and Cisco, installed a national network that enables voice calls on the same lines as data, and long-distance calls at local prices.

A further benefit for all but the largest companies is that the system eliminates the need for PABXs and routers on customer premises. All services run by simply plugging into a telephone jack.

TelstraSaturn chief executive Jack Matthews said the new network would be the most advanced in the country and would offer data speeds up to 1000 megabits a second from a single phone jack.

The service will begin in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in June, with national availability soon after.