Telstra unveils $50m facility

Telco giant Telstra has unveiled a $50 million laboratory, designed to test Internet Protocol (IP) networks to deliver services to 5.3 million Telstra customers over the next five years.

Dubbed, Telstra Integration Laboratory, the centre is part of Telstra’s partnership with global suppliers to accelerate the rollout of the new IP network.

Greg Winn chief operations officer said the laboratory will deliver next-generation voice and data services across five capital cities. The new IP network is made from fibre optic cable and will supplement the traditional PSTN core network.

“It will deliver multiple services and will conduct testing of the IP network and associated new products,” he said.

Telstra’s associates Alcatel, Cisco, Juniper, Tellabs and Ericsson - all have equipment and teams on site at the laboratory to replicate the new IP network, to test every element and fast track the rollout of new technology.

Winn said the laboratory will test the only operational softswitch in Australia to ensure its seamless transition into the IP network. Telstra will replace 116 exchange PSTN switches with five mated pairs of Alcatel softswitches in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney by the end of 2008.

The Integration Laboratory will also diagnose the root cause of any major network problems and test procedures associated with network upgrades and migrations, said Winn.