Internode upgrades network for IPTV push
By Adam Turner
Tuesday, 05 December 2006 18:14
Internode will launch IPTV services once it has an "appropriate economic model and suitable content access deals," says Internode managing director Simon Hackett.
"We've built a network designed to handle this stuff - at any levels up to high def - with ease. Now its just a question of content," Hackett says.
"To date, the major barrier is suitable content deals. Our network is up to the task, we are just endeavouring to find content owners with a sufficient commercial attitude to dealing with new IPTV players in Australia. As soon as they are ready to deal, we'll be ready to roll."
Internode is also preparing to upgrade its outbound-only "Nodephone" Voice over IP service to a two-way service in early 2007. The two-way service will permit incoming calls to a NodePhone number from any standard fixed line or mobile telephone. The rollout's timing is also "subject to potential Telstra network conditioning delays," according to an email sent to customers.
The moves comes as Internode becomes the first Australian ISP to offer 2.5 megabit upload speeds after the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) last month registered ADSL2+ Annex M for use in Australia. Annex M is an international standard to deliver broadband upstream speeds at up to 2.5 Mbps. To date, ADSL2+ services in Australia have used ADSL2+ Annex A, which is limited to an upstream speed of 1 Mbps.
"Our four-month trial shows that many customers will receive speeds in the order of 2 Mbps on their lines. Internode has researched and modeled Annex M for the past 18 months, so we are ready to go," says Internode managing director Simon Hackett.
The enhanced upstream speeds are currently restricted to Internode's Business and SOHO ADSL2+ customers and require the purchase of an Annex M compatible modem.
