ADSL2+: Turbo-charged broadband, at last

By David Braue on 28 November 2006

Who's offering it?
Telstra is currently selling ADSL2+ in around 360 telephone exchanges in areas where competitors are already offering the higher speeds.

The telco could switch on a much wider rollout, but is believed to be holding back due to the desire to avoid being forced by the national competition regulator into offering ADSL2+ as a wholesale offering to competitors.

It is currently also offering uncapped ADSL1 up to 8Mbps in those exchanges, in addition to a further 2400.

Telstra's high speed (uncapped ADSL1 or ADSL2+) service is relatively expensive compared with other offerings, ranging from AU$59.95/month for a download limit of 600MB, to AU$149.95 for 60GB.

To realistically utilise video services you'll need Telstra's AU$89.95/12GB plan at least. And watch out for the excess download charge -- AU$150/GB.

A number of other companies also offer uncapped ADSL1 and ADSL2+ services, using their own networks or wholesale services provided by other telcos than Telstra.

The second-largest ADSL2+ network in Australia is operated by iiNet, reaching more than 260 exchanges. iiNet's prices are generally better than Telstra's, and the telco offers additional services such as VoIP services that can cut down your phone bill. However, cheaper offerings do exist.

Optus is in the middle of its ADSL2+ rollout, which in September reached some 150 exchanges. The telco offers competitive prices, although to get the higher ADSL2+ speeds you'll need to have your telephone with Optus as well.

In fact all three of these telcos give you extra benefits such as cheaper prices or higher speeds when you bundle telephone and ADSL broadband together with them.

Behind the big three are a range of smaller ISPs that are, at least in some way, providing services off the back of networks built by iiNet, Optus or Telstra. However many of them also have their own infrastructure in some areas.

Some major ISPs in this category include Internode, TPG, Adam Internet, Primus Telecom, Amcom, Westnet and AAPT.

Unfortunately for potential customers in rural areas, in general terms the rollouts are focusing on inner-city exchanges. They will, in time, extend out to the suburbs and beyond.

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What do I need to get it?
For now, the best way to decide whether you can get ADSL2+ is to drop by the various providers' Web pages and enter your phone number. Many sites offer a rollout schedule, with aggressive plans to build out the networks throughout next year and beyond.

To get those speeds, you'll need an ADSL2+ capable modem, which is already available from a number of vendors including Netgear, Linksys, Netcomm and other hardware makers. Many of these modems will be bundled with wireless routers, print servers, VoIP gateways, and other network gear to help you share your newfound broadband freedom around the house.

The good news: if you're an existing ADSL customer, you can keep your current modem and sign up for an ADSL2+ service that will deliver up to the full ADSL1 speed of 8Mbps without any modifications. You can then wait until the right ADSL2+ device hits the market before investing the additional money.

It won't happen overnight, but strong movement in the market confirms that ADSL2+ will quickly become a joyous reality for Australians over the next year. If you're feeling the broadband pinch -- or have never seen a reason to buy into broadband before -- be sure to watch the market closely. Fast Web surfing may have been the end of the line for ADSL1, but with ADSL2+ it's only the beginning.

Renai LeMay from ZDNet Australia contributed to this report.

Topics: adsl, adsl2+, broadband, telstra, iinet, internode, optus, adsl2

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Comments (9)

  • Scott commented on 28/09/2009 20:18 Report abuse

    Hey Peter sucks doesn't it on the Central coast! Has put us off from moving there with all the problems our friends have.

  • Pauly commented on 05/09/2008 09:11 Report abuse

    I applied for ADSL when I shifted house recently only to be told that my ISP (Internode) cannot provide because my house is connected via a 'RIM' which is like a hub as I understand. I asked Telstra, Oh, they can provide...strange.

  • Stack Overflow commented on 09/06/2007 18:29 Report abuse

    I never knew iinet offered uncapped adsl1, ha thanks for that! they'll be the first to offer the adsl2 when it comes here too.

    I also agree, the governent should be the one to lay down infrastructure for our internet, and get us up with the rest of the world, we are the worst country for internet. When telstra is fully privatised this will be worse

    In other coutnries, 8mb is the absolute slowest line, the fact that we could always have this but for financial gain have been capped is aweful!

    Maybe there's just not enough people who use the internet enough to give a damn.

  • Pissed commented on 29/03/2007 15:44 Report abuse

    Turbo charged my **** I can't get adsl2 or anything near that speed with a reasonable download limit on the central coast, or even at least find out when i can! I can't beliave that ISP's expect me to pay premium prices for an ADSL1 connection, its ridiculous. If you can't provide the premium service how can you charge the same price for something so inferior.

  • tigy.com commented on 22/01/2007 00:31 Report abuse

    iinet is been providing adsl2 for almost two years now. telstra has just open their port which they always haded since the start of adsl 1. these port are capable of 8 megs and

  • uccoffee commented on 06/12/2006 19:18 Report abuse

    I have been using ADSL2+ with IINET for nearly a year, it is not a new technology ...

    This is definitely an advertisement from TELSTRA

  • Gavin Fielke commented on 02/12/2006 14:57 Report abuse

    Wow Turbo charged broadband, at last?
    I hope it's faster than the 24Mbps/1Mbps now 2.5Mbps connection I have had with Internode for the last year or so.

    awww... alas no they aren't even going to use Annex M.

    Telstra is bitching about low Australian internet speed and the need for government to subsidise it yet we see numerous independant ISP's already ahead of what Telstra wants the subsidies for.
    Telstra may even be planning to only install DSLAMs in exchanges where they are "financially viable", ie. have competition from other ISPs, and not expand the network to look after more consumers.

  • sjstent commented on 01/12/2006 16:22 Report abuse

    might be good but it doesnt address the problems in Trevallyn Tas where people 150m away from a household with broadband cant get broadband because telstra cant run the equiptment telstra is not looking after their customers so when your contact is up change

  • Peter Cesca commented on 29/11/2006 19:27 Report abuse

    What a load of garbage ! The Central coast is Still being left behind like all the rural areas around Australia We are regional 1 for heavens sake !!! Is there any ISP out there that can supply speeds faster than 1.5mbps without costing the earth ?

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