Australian Network Boosts Mobile Network for a Record New Year

Australia's Telstra engineers say that they have boosted mobile network capacity across the nation to cater for anticipated record call and SMS volumes on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Telstra Infrastructure Services Group Managing Director, Mr Michael Rocca, said that traditionally New Year's Eve and New Year's Day were the busiest 48-hour period of the year.

He said Telstra was increasing mobile capacity in almost 100 locations around Australia including Sydney Harbour and Milsons Point in Sydney, Southbank and Bourke St Mall in Melbourne, City Beach and Fremantle in WA, Surfers Paradise and the Sunshine Coast in Queensland and Rundle St in Adelaide.

If previous New Year's calling and SMS volumes are replicated with additional annual growth, Telstra anticipates more than 22 million SMS messages to be sent across Telstra's network on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

In addition, Telstra customers are expected to make 23 million mobile calls as they celebrate the arrival of the New Year. Last year customers sent 19.6 million SMS messages and made 19.3 million voice calls.

Mr Rocca said: "Our engineers have been rolling up their sleeves to install portable base stations and increase mobile phone capacity at various celebration locations and holiday destinations across the country in anticipation of record network traffic.

"Our ability to handle such high levels of demand and deploy additional mobile capacity and coverage demonstrates our commitment to providing reliable services to all Australians."

Mr Rocca said that despite significantly increased network capacity, some customers may experience some short delays in getting calls or messages through on New Year's Eve.

"Telstra encourages customers who may experience a short delay in making calls or sending SMS messages to wait a couple of minutes before trying again," Mr Rocca said. "Network congestion is inevitable on any network at any time but congestion levels on Telstra's network even on the busiest night of the year, will be well within international standards due to the additional capacity."

Posted to the site on 31st December 2004