Stiff competition among telecommunication firms would be the norm once the national broadband network becomes fully operational and with the NBN Co practically controlling the new fibre optics network set to be established across Australia, telcos are focusing on excellent customer service to stay on top of the game.

For one, Telstra Corporation's new separate division, Telstra Wholesale appears all prepped-up to squarely compete with NBN Co and other telcos in dominating the market of providing voice and high-speed internet access.

Once the new NBN system is in place, Telstra is aware that customers may want to deal directly with NBN Co and bypass service providers but the company believes that building relationship with their clients is the key to achieve success in the redefined landscape of the telecommunication industry.

Telstra Wholesale managing director Paul Geason was quoted on Monday by Business Day as saying that "our customer relationships are the most valuable asset we have and we are committed to investing in the future of that relationship."

As telecommunication firms modify their business approach to stay competitive, the federal government is finalising the definite infrastructure of the NBN project with main consideration of the recommendations made forwarded by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission that calls for more access points to service the whole of Australia.

The rough estimate is between 200 and 400 exchanges and the final number would surely dictate on the actual cost of retail services though providers can definitely elect to spice up their offerings by enticing customers with premium additions such as efficient billing system and speedier installation turnovers.

Telstra is banking on the idea that NBN Co could not provide the perks that service providers are willing to toss on customers to win their trust and approval and premium services such as data hosting and internet television could do wonders not only for the country's biggest telco firm but also for the other players in the industry.

And indeed they are following Telstra's lead to keep the competition environment more exciting, as Nextgen positions itself into providing national and regional fibre network that would cater to the specific content requirements of its customers.

While the Leighton subsidiary is ready to deliver customised services to its base clients, AAPT and Optus are pretty much heading the same way that Telstra Wholesale has mapped out as its new business model, excellent customer service and maybe cheaper rates.

Still, all telcos agreed that while competition could prove much healthier in a new telecommunication environment once the NBN project has been fully implemented, the number of interconnection points would be crucial in determining if a competitive environment would be achieved.