Telstra to charge 43 percent more

TELSTRA is raising the cost of connecting a phone by a massive 43 percent.

Even pensioners - who pay discounted rates - will cop the fee increase.

From April 1 Telstra will charge $299 for connecting a new home phone, up from $209. Pensioners will be slugged $194, up from $135.30.

The move is another slap in the face to phone users already enraged by Telstra's plan to ditch 5000 payphones nationwide.