iiNet keeps raincoat on, ready to expose naked DSL

WA-based ISP iiNet has announced plans to launch its naked DSL service later this month.

After testing its naked DSL service -- where users can take broadband without an accompanying phone line -- over the last two months, iiNet has indicated it is satisfied with the results and ready for naked DSL to go public.

The trial was conducted on an invite-only basis for some 60 existing iiNet users and will shortly be made available to all ADSL2+ customers.

"We're hoping to unite broadband access and VoIP capabilities within one service, while eliminating the need to rent a phone line to use them," said Mark White, iiNet's chief operating officer.

iiNet did not release any specific pricing details but claimed that the service would start at AU$10-$15 less than an average broadband package currently, taking into account the money saved by not renting a phone line.

"This is not a new technology," said White. "This is the way that most broadband and VoIP is provided in Europe."

"The capacity to provide this kind of service has always been there, but it's a new technology to Australia because of the way our market's configured," White continued. "We rent the lines from Telstra on a monthly basis and run the service over ULL, and changes to the rates earlier in the year have now made naked a viable proposition."

The company warned that using naked DSL is expected to disrupt other services that use a conventional phone line such as pay TV, monitored alarms and EFTPOS machines, but say that many of these problems are likely to be remedied by calling the relevant service provider.