Telstra will roll out two million WiFi hotspots across Australia – and 13 million internationally – in the next five years.
One thousand of those will be activated by Christmas this year.
Announcing the plans during the telco's 2014 full year results, CEO David Thodey said: “We believe in WiFi. We have announced a $100,000 WiFi investment that will allow all Australians – irrespective of whether they are a Telstra customer – to access two million hotspots here in Australia and 13 million internationally within five years.
“We are really accelerating our rollout and we expect by Christmas to have switched on 1,000 in metro and holiday areas.
“We believe networks make a difference and we will continue to invest in network leadership.”
Thodey also updated shareholders on Telstra's 4G progress, stating the telco has invested $1.1 billion in the technology over the past 12 months and that its 4G network now reaches 87% of the Australian population. He said Telstra now has 5.2 million 4G customers.
“Now, customers can access 4G from Bunbury to Bondi and in over 3,000 towns and suburbs in between,” he said during this morning's announcements. “Our 4G network is four times larger than any other 4G network in Australia.
“We are going to invest about another $1 billion in the mobile network this year coming. Networks make a difference and we will continue to invest in network leadership.”
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