An Elders spokesperson said the rural ISP would also resell Optus ADSL2+ services once they were made available later in the year.

The services would be sold through Elders' 400 plus locations in regional and rural Australia.

"Elders involvement as a retailer follows its successful completion of trial programs at a number of its rural branches in 2005," said the joint Optus and Elders statement.

"This partnership will provide Optus and Elders with a unique channel to expand broadband services to under-served areas of Australia," Optus CEO Paul O'Sullivan said.

The companies have not yet finalized technology partners or platforms that would be used to deliver the services.