TELSTRA has taken a swipe at the Federal Government while releasing its Regional and Rural Presence Plan.

In announcing the plan was open for consultation, Telstra Counrty Wide head Geoff Booth said the company continued to value customers in rural, regional and remote Australia without the need for a Presence Plan.

He said such a Plan was not required of any of the other 260 licensed carriers operating in Australia.

Mr Booth said it was one example of the “unnecessary and costly regulation imposed solely on Telstra and not other telecommunications providers.”

“These additional costs are ultimately borne by Telstra’s customers and are neither cost effective nor necessary,” Mr Booth said.

As part of its licence condition, Telstra must maintain a local presence in regional, rural and remote Australia to the extent that this is broadly compatible with the licensee's overall commercial interests and is not unduly prescriptive and does not impose undue financial and administrative burdens on the licensee.

Mr Booth said before providing our draft plan to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Government regulation required Telstra to publish the plan and invite comment.

"Telstra's commitment to delivering leading products and services to our customers in regional, rural and remote Australia is of the highest order and is unchallenged by any of our competitors,” Mr Booth said.

"This has nothing to do with regulation. If we want to increase sales and retain customers in a highly competitive market, we have to constantly improve the value we offer to customers.

"Continuing upgrades to wireless broadband and improved mobile services over the Next G network are demonstrable proof of our commitment. “

Telstra's draft 2009 Regional and Rural Presence Plan is available for comment until Friday 20 February 2009.