Internet to offer 100Mbps services over Opticomm FTTH networks

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 26 February 2009 04:44

IT Industry - Market

Internode has announced plans to offer broadband Internet access services at up to 100Mbps over FTTH networks being installed in new residential developments by Hills Industries JV Opticomm.

The first services are due to go live within the next few weeks on Queensland's Fernbrooke estate, a 20 hectare development of more than 1000 homes by Urban Pacific at Redbank Plains, 32km south-west of the Brisbane CBD.

Internode says it is planning a dozen similar projects including the Lochiel Park and Northgate developments in South Australia. John Lindsay, Internode's carrier relations manager, told ITWire "we expect to have access to thousands of homes over then next few years."

Prices will start at $49.95 per month with 5Gbyte of download data for a 25Mbps service. 50Mbps and 10Mbps services and higher download quotas will also be available. Lindsay said that prices would be roughly comparable to Internode's Naked and Ultra ADSL2+ services. However, unlike ADSL2+ customers will get the full advertised speed of the service wherever they are located. He added "residents will probably get some free service, provided by the developer."

Internode will also provide a "POTS like" telephone service via an NTU on the customer's premises. Lindsay said that power-fail backup would be an option with this. However Internode will not port in a customer's existing PSTN numbers.

Internode is providing the service as a wholesale customer on the Opticomm FTTH network, under Opticomm's carrier licence. Lindsay said that Opticomm was responsible for backhaul to a capital city data centre and "was doing all it can to make sure that backhaul is all fibre." He added that the Opticomm FTTH networks would be open to other service providers "Other companies can gain access, it will be a competitive network, but we will have first mover advantage."

GePON technology from Alloptic
Opticomm is using GePON technology from Alloptic. The company was formed in early 2007 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alloptic's Australian distributor, Optimal Cable Services. Later that year ASX-listed Hills Industries took a 50 percent stake in Opticomm.
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