Australian ISP Internode is restructuring its top-level management in a bid to boost its growth rate. The South-Australian based company also announced it is preparing to “change gears” with the delivery of a range of new, as yet unspecified, IPTV services.

In a statement released today founder Simon Hackett said he will continue as a managing director of the company, but will hand over the reins as CEO to long-term Internode employee and group general manager, Patrick Tapper.

The company has also announced a new Chief Financial Officer, and is planning to add a CIO to its executive board.

Internode said the new structure will help continue its growth in private IP networks, VoIP services and managed data centre facilities. A Content Services Group has also been established to oversee the design and delivery of a range of higher-level video over broadband services.

Hackett said his role as MD will continue to be setting and maintaining Internode’s strategic direction and managing its relationships with external partners such as the ACCC, Terria and the government.

New CEO Tapper said the broadband access market that has driven Internode’s growth to date is just the first stage in the development of Australia’s digital economy, and the ISP’s business plan.

“We are broadening our management skill set to manage the transition to delivering a range of value-added broadband services,” he said.

Tapper said Internode was currently testing platforms for delivery of IPTV services as well as negotiating with content providers.

He expects the new services to be offered in the first quarter of the next calendar year.

According to Internode, the company has more than trebled in size over the past three years, with more than 300 employees and 140,000 broadband customers nationwide.