Internode expands ADSL2+ network in face of NBN

Stephen Withers
Monday, 15 June 2009 09:18

Your IT - Home IT

Internode plans to almost double the number of its ADSL2+ ports with a mix of new DSLAMs and expansion at exchanges it already services.

Internode says it will spend $A10 million to increase the number of ADSL2+ ports it operates around the country from more than 50,000 to nearly 100,000.

The rollout will see Internode equipment installed at a further 57 exchanges, with additional capacity at 115 others.

Half of the new exchanges are in Victoria, but the plan will see a significant extension of the ISP's reach in Tasmania, where its footprint will increase from two to 10 exchanges.

"With the imminent availability of the Basslink fibre cable and the Federal Government’s plan to roll out fibre first to Tasmania, this a good place for us to build," said Internode CEO Patrick Tapper.

He said that the Federal Government's decision earlier this year to abandon plans for a FTTN network cleared the way for Internode's expansion.

Since a FTTN rollout would have broken the copper circuits between exchanges and customer premises, existing ISPs were generally opposed to the plan.

Instead, the government opted for FTTP technology for the NBN. Given the pressure to begin the NBN rollout in regional and other under-serviced areas, ISPs apparently have enough time to make a satisfactory return on additional ADSL2+ rollouts.

"As the market matures, people will choose their broadband company based on both innovation and quality. Internode has both those bases covered," said Tapper.

"Our new capacity means that we will continue to offer better value and quality services to our customers," he added.