Internode offers ADSL2+ across "entire Telstra ADSL footprint"

Alex Kidman
17 December 2008, 12:00 PM


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Internode now has the same ADSL2+ coverage as Telstra, but will "stop customers hurting themselves" by signing on to a Telstra-based service if there is any other option.


Internode is set to give its ADSL2+ network a huge boost by reselling ADSL2+ from Telstra's exchanges, under plans labelled ADSL TwoPlus. Internode already operates its own ADSL2+ services from what it claims are "more than" 110 exchanges, as well as reselling Optus ADSL2+ at a further 350-odd exchanges. The combined ADSL2+ footprint, Internode claims, is one of the largest in the country. The new plans are available from today, and boosts Internode's coverage to everywhere that Telstra operates an ADSL2+ exchange. Which, if you've been following broadband closely enough, is effectively everywhere that every other ADSL2+ equipped ISP does, so those looking for genuinely new ADSL2+ coverage will have to keep on waiting.

Not surprisingly, given that they're reselling Telstra capacity, the new plans are a touch more expensive for data than Internode's own in-house products, but there's also another interesting potential limitation. Internode's notes about network performance relative between its "Extreme" ADSL2+ (operating on Internode's own equipment) and the Telstra-supplied ADSL Two-Plus services don't quite match up.

Internode states that of a random sampling of Extreme ADSL2+ customers, 13.4% achieve a download synch speed of higher than 20 Mbps. Signing up for ADSL TwoPlus, however, the claims are slightly reduced. While (as with every other ISP), there's no speed "guarantee", the speeds page for ADSL TwoPlus notes that the service offers "up to a maximum possible speed of 20 Megabits per second downstream and 1 Megabit per second upstream."

When there's an incumbent, it makes sense to compare as long as the comparison is favourable, and it's thus not that surprising that Internode's release on the plans leans heavily on comparison with Telstra's own ADSL2+ pricing, claiming Internode's offerings offer "far better value at all price points". We've crunched the numbers for you to see how true that actually is:


 Lowest cost plan Mid-range plan High usage plan
Internode's own DSLAM ADSL2+ $39.95 5GB $74.95 40GB $149.95 100GB
Internode "TwoPlus" Telstra-based ADSL2+ $69.95 2GB $89.95 25GB $129.95 55GB
Telstra BigPond ADSL2+ $69.95 0.6GB $99.95 12GB $109.95 25GB

NOTES:
Internode plans provide free uploads. BigPond plans charge for uploads, potentially reducing the value of the plans
BigPond's $69.95 ADSL2+ plan charges $150 per GB of usage over the included 0.6GB.

Bear in mind that Internode will only be selling the ADSL-TwoPlus plans to customers on Telstra exchanges; those with access to Optus or Internode points would be smart to ensure they're on the better value plans that those services offer. We checked with Internode's Jim Kellett, who told APC that he expected that customers would automatically "Choose the righteous path by the circa $30 per month delta between Extreme (our platform) & TwoPlus (the Telstra platform)" and that checks would be put in place to prevent customers "accidentally hurting themselves, too."

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djsflynn (APC staff):

This seems a rather insane choice of a name for marketing this product. I can just imagine the customer conversations with Internode sales staff now... "You can get either ADSL2+ or ADSL TwoPlus"..!

17 December 2008, 12:37 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (User):

Quoting djsflynn:
This seems a rather insane choice of a name for marketing this product.

Agreed, but then again when other providers offer draconian plans with names such as Liberty and freedom, and another player again names themselves after an extinct bird, I guess anything goes. I guess the best and brightest in marketing just don't get assigned the technology jobs. :>


17 December 2008, 1:44 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

I try to talk to them as little as possible "djsflynn" :) I just use their service and surf :):)Yahooooooooooooooooooooooey

31 December 2008, 9:28 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Bradley Anm (New user):

More Telstra Bashing. Cant write an article about Internode without the Telstra bashing can you Dan

17 December 2008, 1:21 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (User):

Quoting Bradley Anm:
More Telstra Bashing.

Where?


Quoting Bradley Anm:
Cant write an article about Internode without the Telstra bashing can you Dan

Can't read an article without defending the indefensible can you Bradley? If you'd bothered to take a few seconds to actually read the article you'd know Dan wasn't the author at all. But hey, why spoil a good conspiracy theory with fact, right?


17 December 2008, 1:39 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Truckasauras (New user):

Telstra bashing should be a national sport!

17 December 2008, 1:49 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Dan Warne (Regular user):

Oh dear Bradley... seems you've got me confused with someone else. I didn't write this article.

But I did write this article:

Why I switched to Telstra
http://apcmag.com/why_i_switched_to_telstra.htm

17 December 2008, 2:13 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Phred (User):

Quoting Bradley Anm:
More Telstra Bashing

I smell a share holder!


17 December 2008, 6:55 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

The Big Baboo (User):

Hmmmmmmm Is that the famous Kidman name I see attached under the byline.
I wonder if this could be ( wait for it ) our Nicole's brother moonlighting as a PC columnist

27 December 2008, 8:17 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

lovelyjubbly (New user):

Alex,

To be fair to bigpond, gulp :)

Those bigpond prices are unbundled, if you bundle your phone line the price reduces by $10/month.

Bigpond also offer half price reductions for up to 12 months if you sign up for 24 months and bundling everything else you've ever owned.

It would be interesting to compare the TCO of the various plans over 24 months and beyond.

And no, I don't use bigpond, I'm on Node Naked :)

17 December 2008, 2:28 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Drahcir (New user):

i nearly fell off my chair, a node user being somewhat defending of bigpond, almost makes me want to not stir up the noders on whirlpool, nah thats my national sport ; )

i do question Hacketts thinking, constantly bagging telstra yet is quite happy to jump into bed with them to line his own pocket, mmm Hackett you hypocrit

17 December 2008, 3:13 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (User):

Quoting Drahcir:
almost makes me want to not stir up the noders on whirlpool, nah thats my national sport

must give you a real sense of achievement.


Quoting Drahcir:
i do question Hacketts thinking

without a good reason to do so

Quoting Drahcir:
constantly bagging telstra yet is quite happy to jump into bed with them

How is this jumping in bed with Telstra? Telstra have a stranglehold on much of the access, all the other ISPs even Optus are forced to buy some wholesale services from Telstra.


Quoting Drahcir:
mmm Hackett you hypocrit

Is that really necessary? At least Mr Hacket is doing what he can to get "AFFORDABLE" broadband to as many customers as possible. Conroy and the Government have offered nothing but talk, and Telstra have done their best to keep access expensive.



17 December 2008, 5:38 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Alex Kidman (New user):

I was aware of the bundling option, but then, the flipside is that Internode don't require bundling -- so it seemed fairest to both parties to compare like with like. In any case, the $10 price difference only makes the Telstra plans a little cheaper; it doesn't change the value equation that much when there's such a data disparity.

As for "Telstra Bashing", Internode's *very* deliberately tilting at Telstra with this particular product; many of the quotes are theirs (and attributed as such).

And for the record, I am not Dan Warne, and he is not me. We've even been seen together in the same room, and everything...

17 December 2008, 3:13 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Raindog (User):

Quoting Alex Kidman:
We've even been seen together in the same room, and everything..

You've done it now Alex, its only a matter of time before the next sway of rumours has you guys as an item.

It's a critical audience out there, and if they cannot find facts that suit they manufacture suggestions that do. :>


17 December 2008, 11:00 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Regular user):

Telstra now sell ADSL2 at all exchanges (excluding a very small number of very rural ones using antique ADSL1 gear) regardless of 3rd party exchanges. So the mention of it being limited to exchanges with other ADSL2 providers is kind of wrong (unless Node are limiting it to that, which wouldn't make much sense).

As for the actual news... I would have signed up tonight when I saw those prices, except that I need a static IP. $5 more than what I pay now for similar ADSL1 (8mbps) would be fine... $15 more is a bit steep.

17 December 2008, 7:24 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Alex Kidman (New user):

Ah. If so, my bad. Although the core point is still valid; there's no *extra* ADSL2+ on offer with this deal, just another company to buy it from. There are definitely still places that don't qualify, and people hanging out for it.

17 December 2008, 9:09 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Sean123 (New user):

May be worth noting Telstra reduce the monthly ADSL cost by $10 when your landline is through them. And your missing their 60GB plan... if you take these into account, it works out about 10% more expensive. APCMAG, please introduce all the information for consumers to consider.

19 December 2008, 10:22 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Alex Kidman (New user):

I'm curious about your maths there (the bundled issue has already been mentioned and addressed, I think). How is a plan that offers 2x less (or worse!) data only "10%" more expensive? And that's only comparing against the Internode-on-Telstra stuff; once you dip out to other ISPs including Internode the comparisons get even worse. I can't see where this magical 10% figure comes from, unless you're just talking dollars paid, which is only a small part of the value picture.
(and that's even leaving the whole double-dipping uploads counted picture alone...)

20 December 2008, 11:14 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

Tin (Regular user):

In response to the Telstra fans saying not mentioning the bundling option is unfair... Some people like to pick their phone provider based on things other than internet access.

And besides... Telstra count uploads and Internode don't. So to be even for a basic user, 10% extra is needed on Telstra... For a heavy user, up to 100% extra may be needed!

19 December 2008, 11:27 AM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

craigberry (New user):

hi how can i speed up my online gaming i have slow reaction time xbox 360

22 January 2009, 2:10 PM (3 years ago)report abuse Send to a friend reply

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