Telstra Saturn lights up

Friday 2nd March 2001

By Chris Hutching

Telstra Saturn went live in Christchurch yesterday when chief executive Jack Matthews switched on the company's first customers to a new $200 million fibre-optic network.

Mr Matthews said consumers had already benefited from Telstra Saturn's presence in Christchurch by the reduction in charges announced recently by rival Telecom. The same thing happened in Wellington and would happen in Auckland when Telstra Saturn rolled out its services there, he said.

Telecom charges $36.34 for line rental in most parts of the country. When Telstra Saturn launched its residential telephone connection service in Christchurch for $29.95, Telecom matched this price, the first decrease in charges since 1988.

Since announcing its investment in Christchurch the company has connected 8000 households. Mr Matthews said in the next 24 months the network would pass 115,000 households.

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