"Telstra's people are its most important asset, and the proposed new networks announced today, mean that Telstra's people will need additional skills," he said.

To provide the skills required Telstra will spend A$200 million (US$147 million) on staff training.

The telco will team with external service providers to give its workforce training in provisioning, maintaining and running next generation networks, including a high-speed IP core and its 3G wireless network.

Telstra said the new network will help reduce costs by consolidating multiple networks into one common core network. Trujillo said Telstra's third-generation wireless network is set to go national in three years.

The network currently operates only in capital cities.