Italian company Prysmian Cables & Systems today announced a three year agreement to continue the supply of both, fibre optic and metallic communication cables to Telstra.

The contract, based on a pre-existing agreement, has been secured by Prysmian Telecom Cables and Systems Australia Pty Limited.

Prysmian successfully completed a global tender process for this supply contract, the largest of its kind in Oceania to maintain its long term commercial partnership with Telstra.

Prysmian has been the only contracted supplier of communications cable, since 1998, when the company operated as Pirelli Telecom Cables and Systems Australia Pty Limited.

Prysmian's CEO in Australia, Paul Atkinson, said the agreement will ensure Telstra's remains the number one carrier in Australia due to effective product and service evolution programs that have been implemented by Prysmian.

"In order to guarantee that Prysmian can adequately service Telstra's increasing cable requirements under all circumstances, we plan to double the capacity of our Dee Why manufacturing facility in NSW. This investment will afford us the highest levels of service irrespective of Telstra's level of demand," Atkinson said.

Telstra's executive director of procurement, Ian Wheatley, said the contract is further evidence that Telstra is ready, willing and able to roll out high-speed broadband to Australian homes and businesses, should the regulatory hurdles be removed.

"We have a plan and we have the contracts in place to execute it," Wheatley added.

The investment in the increased manufacturing capacity at Dee Why, to be completed by early next year, provides Prysmian with the opportunity to offer greater flexibility of supply and to develop supply chain efficiencies for Telstra.

The director of Prysmian's global telecom cable and optical fibre business, Giovanni B Scotti said Prysmian's intention to invest locally in the manufacture of telecommunication cable demonstrates the company's commitment to Australia.

A provider of high-technology cables and systems for energy and telecommunication industries, the Prysmian Group boasts a global presence with subsidiaries in 35 countries, 55 plants in 21 countries, seven R&D centres and more than 12,000 employees.