Internode goes for the mother lode: Naked ADSL2+

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Wednesday, 12 March 2008 18:23

Your IT - Home IT

Internode say that its Naked ADSL2+ “is just the start”, as 2008 will see “further variations of [the] Naked ADSL2+ service”.

Internode promise to introduce an Annex M ADSL2+ service which provides for “high-speed upstream” or faster upload services.

Also promised is an “Annex L” “long range” ADSL2+ service which would see customers otherwise unable to get ADSL in any form today able to access ADSL2+.

This means that some customers in ‘rural and regional areas’ who weren’t able to access ADSL previous could relatively soon be able to get much cheaper and potentially faster broadband than existing 3.5G wireless broadband services, be they powered by Telstra’s Next G network or the 3.5G networks due from Vodafone and Optus by year’s end.

This will place further pricing pressure on Telstra, Vodafone and Optus to deliver fast wireless broadband at ever more competitive pricing, in addition to the competitive pressure they will be applying on each other.

Internode also promise “support for number porting, allowing customers to transfer their existing telephone number”, although this is something that existing VoIP and/or Naked ADSL2+ providers can already offer today even though it is generally far slower than the speed with which mobile phone numbers are ported.

Internode’s Kellett said that “Naked ADSL2+ services were not intended as a 'like for like' replacement of a traditional telephone service”, explaning that "This first generation service will appeal to early adopters – those already using mobiles and IP telephony for their voice needs”.

Kellett ended by saying that: "Internode intends to launch additional innovative services during the course of this year, so this area will mature very quickly."

So, whatever the Australian Federal Government’s plans on building a national fibre broadband network at those rather slow sounding minimum speeds of 12GB turn out to be, the rush of Naked ADSL2+ services on offer, plus Telstra’s own rollout of ADSL2+ to more than 900 phone exchanges is seeing Australians with more broadband choice than ever before, with more still yet to come!