Telkom is moving aggressively to get its copper-based broadband digital subscriber line (DSL) users onto its new fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network in the areas where it’s already deployed fibre infrastructure.

On Monday, the company announced a plan to offer 11 000 DSL users the opportunity to sign up for fibre at no additional cost.

“DSL customers within Telkom’s fibre footprint will be given the opportunity to upgrade their copper-based connectivity to the more advanced fibre network,” the company said in a statement on Monday morning.

The customers will also be able to test Telkom’s 10Mbit/s and 20Mbit/s fibre products for free for two months, it said.

The offer begins on Tuesday, 2 February.

DSL customers currently on 2Mbit/s, 4Mbit/s and 8Mbit/s DSL products can move across to the “more stable and reliable fibre network” at no additional charge, Telkom said.

“During the two-month trial, they also are able to test the 10Mbit/s and 20Mbit/s line options and can then make a call at the end of the two months about which package they choose to adopt,” it said.

After the trial, customers will be able to upgrade to the 10Mbit/s or 20Mbit/s options, or they can return to their original DSL speeds. However, their line will have been permanently upgraded to fibre.

Customers will also not be charged an installation fee as long as a like-for-like installation is possible, the company said.

Teams are working to complete installations within 10 days of order, said Telkom consumer MD Attila Vitai.

“Fibre is the next evolution of fixed line broadband connectivity and we want our customers to enjoy the best technology experience we can offer,” Vitai said in the statement.