Optus launches ADSL2+ services

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 30 March 2006 11:17

Your IT - Home IT

Optus launches ADSL2+ services
Optus has launched the first consumer broadband services on its own DSLAM network, offering access at up to 20Mbps, with reduced rates for customers bundling telephony services with their broadband service: and it says it will offer wholesale access.

The service, branded Optus Direct, is presently available from Optus DSLAMs in 100 Telstra exchanges, and Optus says it has been cutting over existing broadband and telephony customers onto this network since December 2005.

Optus says is currently testing wholesale DSL services on its new network with its customers and expects the service to be commercially ready in the second half of 2006. Telstra has made clear it has no intention of wholesaling its ADSL2+ service.

Optus says that customers currently paying 22c for local calls, will pay  only 20 cents under its new telephony service, Optus Local Direct, and, depending on a customer’s current plan they may also receive a $4 monthly line rental discount.

Existing Optus home telephony customers will remain on their current plans when they migrate to the Optus Local Direct service, with some small changes depending on the plan. Optus DSL customers will also remain on their current broadband plans when their service is migrated to Optus DSL Direct.

In a separate announcement Optus unveiled a new entry level broadband plan, Optus Easy Start, at $19.95 per month. It will give new customers, who bundle with Optus home telephony or Optus mobile, benefits including 100MB data usage allowance and 200MB of off peak data. The offer will be available until May 31, 2006.

Customers on the $19.95 plan who bundle on a 24 month contract will also get a $0 connection fee. If they require a modem, Optus will include an ADSL2+ modem for $99.