Belmont gets connected

BUSINESSES and residents in the centre of Belmont can now access Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line broadband after Telstra announced the completion of a telecommunications network upgrade in the area.

The announcement is good news for businesses in Belmont, with some having waited more than two years for ADSL to be made available.

Telstra bowed to pressure following persistent lobbying by local businesses affected by the lack of ADSL, as well as government and local media.

The telco announced the telecommunications infrastructure upgrade in December last year.

Telstra is currently informing businesses in the area that the problem has been resolved, although several operators contacted by WA Business News had yet to be notified the upgrade had been completed.

As reported by WA Business News in October last year, some businesses in the heart of the Belmont business district were frustrated by reports from Telstra that their distance from the nearest exchange precluded access to ADSL broadband.

While businesses previously unable to access ADSL could access other types of broadband, many said the cost of those alternatives had put broadband out of their reach.

Telstra offers several formats – by satellite, by microwave, by Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and by ADSL.

Telstra metropolitan general manager, Perth,  Catherine Emory said the telco had “been working with the City of Belmont for some time to address concerns of businesses and residents in the area”.

“The City of Belmont worked with us in developing a strong case for upgrading the infrastructure and delivering ADSL to places where it was previously not available,” Ms Emory said.

“We are increasing the availability of ADSL by improving infrastructure and extending the reach. Whereas previously ADSL was only available within 3.5km of an enabled exchange, it is now available to at least 4km from an enabled exchange.”

Belmont City Council business development manager Peter Schifferli said the result was good news for businesses in Belmont, however securing ADSL access to commercial development along Horrie Miller Drive around the international air terminal remained an issue.

“We are pleased that Telstra has worked in with us, Kim Wilkie and local businesses to resolve this issue, because there are many businesses in areas across Australia that still can’t get ADSL,” Mr Schifferli said.

“The only area that ADSL is not available in Belmont is at the airport site.

“We have been advised that work has just been completed. Telstra has asked me to put an article in our council magazine, which will go out this week.”