Westnet launches Telstra ADSL2+ services UPDATED

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 25 November 2008 06:26

Your IT - Home IT

iiNet subsidiary Westnet has 'soft-launched' ADLS2+ services from all 1400 plus Telstra ADSL2+ capable exchanges. The move follows launch of services on the DSLAMs of its parent, iiNet, on  21 October.

iiNet CEO, Michael Malone, told the company's AGM on 20 November that 850 customers had already been signed up to the iiNet-based service "with no active marketing" and that there would be a full campaign launch in January 2009.

Westnet also sells ADSL2+ services on the Optus network. It said that customers on existing ADLS2+ services would remain on those products, unless they elect to upgrade.

Dan Scott, Westnet's marketing manager, told iTWire: "On 21October  we launched ADSL2+ on the iiNet network in metro centres. Today [25 November] we launched ADSL2+ on Telstra exchanges giving great coverage outside the iinet exchanges especially regional areas. With both combined, we have a powerful 2+ solution reaching metro and regional locations."

iiNet CTO Greg Bader told iTWire that iiNet was talking to Talking to Telstra and "we would be keen to sell their ADSL 2 product also."  iiNEt acquired Westnet in May 2008.

Westnet is the third announced reseller of Telstra ADSL2+ services - which Telstra initially refused to resell. People Telecom was the first with an announcement in August and launched services at the end of that month. It was followed by Pacnet in late September.

Pacnet said it would offer services from 23 September from all 1400 Telstra ADSL2+ enabled exchanges at prices starting from $74.95 per month and aimed at both consumers and SMBs. This put it ahead of People Telecom which at that stage had not launched. Despite PacNet's and People Telecom's announcements, Malone claimed that the Westnet service was a "first national ADSL2+."

Westnet, and Malone stressed the significant regional presence that the deal would give the company - 998 of the exchanges are in regional Australia. "[The deal with Telstra] represents a huge opportunity for Westnet to drive new connections and importantly brings a strong regional Broadband2+ presence to fruition. Westnet has historically enjoyed considerable success in regional Australia," the company said.