Perth-based internet providers EFTel Ltd and iiNet Ltd today announced plans to launch innovative broadband services, designed to help them take market share from the incumbents, led by Telstra.
Perth-based internet providers EFTel Ltd and iiNet Ltd today announced plans to launch innovative broadband services, designed to help them take market share from the incumbents, led by Telstra.
EFTel Ltd has announced the rollout of multi-service access nodes to 70 telephone exchanges across the nation at a rate of 15 per month, to provide access to its Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line 2 service.
Declaring them to be a step above the more widespread DSLAM broadband technology, MSANs can also deliver ADSL2+, traditional ADSL, SHDSL corporate solutions, normal PSTN Voice services, IP Video, VoIP, and Bare DSL, EFTEL said in an announcement.
VDSL2 will offer speeds of up to 100 megabits per second, around four times the current maximum speed of ADSL2+, and from 12 to 400 times faster than ADSL services.
That said, the speed of VDSL2 is closely linked to user's proximity to an exchange, with VDSL2 users over 1.6 km away from an exchange experiencing internet speeds similar to that of ADSL2 users.
EFTel has signed a deal with Queensland-based PIPE Networkds and Chinese giant Huawei Technologies to provide access to telecommunications networks, the company said in an announcement.
Meanwhile, iiNet has launched a registration website from its homepage in preparation for the launch of its Naked DSL product later this month.
The service will enable iiNet customers to set up broadband without the need for a landline phone service, eliminating phone line rental fees, a move the company says will save customers around $10 to $15 per month.
Customers will still be able to receive and make phone calls through their Internet phone service, according to a company announcement.
The full text of an EFTel announcement is pasted below
EFTel Limited (ASX Code: EFT) became the first Internet provider to announce the planned rollout of nationwide VDSL2, the next generation in high-speed broadband delivery.
VDSL2 or 'Very High Speed Digital Subscriber Line 2' will enable speeds of up to 100Mbps, 4 times faster than ADSL2+ and from 12 to 400 times faster than ADSL.
The network, which will be called BroadbandNext, will be built on MSAN (Multi-service access node) technology. MSANs are a leap ahead of the traditional DSLAM Broadband technology being rolled out by most providers. MSANs have superior upgradeability, scalability, redundancy and environmental sustainability.
Commencing in February 2008, the MSANs will be aggressively rolled out at a rate of 15 exchanges per month, with an initial schedule of 70 exchanges nationwide. EFTel will support the fastest and most advanced DSL broadband network technology in Australia.
EFTel's MSANs can deliver VDSL2, ADSL2+, traditional ADSL, SHDSL corporate solutions, normal PSTN Voice services, IP Video, VoIP, and Bare DSL.
"Customers connected to BroadbandNext will enjoy benefits such as massively fast downloads, a wider range of service types, and improved levels of customer support from a smarter network," CEO Simon Ehrenfeld said today.
"Apart from delivering superior services to customers, the rollout brings EFTel some freedom from the Telstra cost prison."
"This week, the ACCC handed down its final LSS (line sharing service) decision, maintaining its pricing guidance. This is excellent news for users as well as providers who are installing infrastructure. A key means of ensuring margin growth is to own strategically selected pieces of the infrastructure that give rapid payback. In this way we can deliver value-added services and at the same time reduce costs."
"This is the most exciting event in the history of EFTel. We are delivering a service to the Australian public that is new, technically advanced, delivers the blindingly fast broadband consumers have been asking for, and leaves major competitors in our wake" he said.
EFTel is partnering with PIPE Networks (ASX Code: PWK) and Chinese giant Huawei Technologies to ensure the most sophisticated and effective network capacity in Australia. Huawei is a leader in providing next generation telecommunications networks, serving 31 of the world's top 50 telco operators, with over one billion end users worldwide. PIPE owns and operates Australia's largest Internet exchange, and an Australia-wide network of fibre-optic cable serving over 180 telephone exchanges.
"Customers can look forward to much faster broadband speeds early in 2008, when the first exchanges are connected to the BroadbandNext network," Major Projects Manager Luke MacKinnon said today.
"After dialogue between EFTel and telcos of varying sizes throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas, it is clear to us that VDSL2 is also the technology which will be best suited to a Fibre to the Node (FTTN) environment in the future. If and when FTTN occurs, the network infrastructure will be redeployable," he said.
EFTel Ltd will be retailing VDSL2 and its other new services through its flagship EFTel retail brand as well as its aaNet brand. Its wholesale division, DFT Wholesale Internet, will be offering access to its numerous ISP customers. EFTel currently serves around 25% of Australia's Internet Service Providers with IP bandwidth, co-location, and wholesale ADSL solutions. EFTel Corporate will be offering an exciting new suite of high powered business solutions that the technology offers.
VDSL2 is expected to be certified for use on the public switched telephone network in the first quarter of 2008.
The full text of an iiNet announcement is pasted below
iiNet flags imminent Naked DSL Launch
Naked DSL information and registration site now open
01 November, 2007 - In a clear signal that its customer trials have been successful, iiNet Limited (ASX: IIN) today opened an information and registration website, www.iinet.net.au/gonaked in preparation for the launch of its Naked DSL product later this month.
At the website, potential customers or interested parties are able to learn about Naked DSL and its consumer benefits, and can also register their interest in the new product. iiNet will use the registrations to update individuals on the availability of Naked DSL.
Naked DSL enables eligible customers to have fast broadband without the need for a landline phone service, eliminating costly phone line rental fees. Customers can still receive and make phone calls through their Internet phone service, which allows additional savings on Internet calls, compared to standard landline call charges.
Michael Malone, iiNet's Managing Director said Naked DSL released customers from their costly landline phone service.
"This is a significant step forward in the evolution of broadband services for Australian consumers. We are all increasingly relying on mobile phones and the Internet for making our phone calls," he said. "Many people are now paying for a compulsory landline phone service they just don't use."
"Naked DSL will save people monthly phone line rental fees whilst still providing full speed ADSL2+ broadband with a broadband phone service that provides far cheaper call rates than a landline phone service."
Pricing for the new Naked DSL product is expected to begin at around $10-$15 a month less than consumers typically pay for their broadband and line rental at the moment.
iiNet has been testing its Naked DSL product over the past two months and has reported positive feedback from the trial participants. iiNet plans to launch the product for general sale later this month.
