Streetside cabinets that connect homes to the telco’s fixed-line network will be fitted retrofitted with boxes dubbed ‘‘top hats’’ to allow access to ADSL2+ broadband.

The upgrade could mean a doubling in internet speeds for some residents who have been stuck with slower connections because Telstra was unable to connect extra ADSL2+ customers without costly building work.

‘‘In the past, to permanently increase the broadband capacity of a street side cabinet, we had to build another cabinet alongside the existing one. This could take months of planning and network construction activities,’’ Telstra’s Illawarra general manager Michael Marom said.

Mr Marom said work in Mt Kembla was part of a nationwide program to install about 2000 ‘‘top hats’’.

Telstra will also make other upgrades to streetside cabinets to remove potential bottlenecks in the network.The telco has already installed a ‘‘top hat’’ in Warilla and plans to install others in Thirroul, Dapto and Port Kembla by the end of the year.

Residents curious about the availability of ADSL2+ broadband in their area can call Telstra on 13 76 63 or visit a Telstra store in Warrawong or Wollongong.