Wireless internet in Tasmania is about to get a big upgrade.

Optus is building 60 new phone towers giving its customers much better coverage.

Managing Director for Optus Country, Anthony Shiner, says Tasmania has suffered years of substandard services.

"It's a market that's been neglected on many fronts for many years," he said.

Digital Tasmania's Andrew Connor welcomes the competition but says there is a danger people will sign up for wireless contracts, rather than wait for the broadband network being rolled out first in Tasmania.

"People are often locked into contracts with wireless providers and at the moment it is maybe 12, 24, 36 months," he said.

Most of the new towers will be built over the next 12 months.