Busted Ragerunner
http://whirlpool.net.au/article.cfm/1197
Internode launches own ADSL network
A new ADSL network has been launched with the long term goal of competing head-to-head with Telstra's own ADSL network in the residential ADSL market.
Internode's sister company, Agile Communications, commissioned its first DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) in a Telstra exchange in the South Australian township of Meningie yesterday.
Originally posted by Ragerunner
The new DSLAM and planned network will be entirely separate from Telstra's ADSL network, which has been criticised for stability problems, artificially limited line speeds, and high wholesale pricing.
Dealing with Telstra over copper telephone line access had been like "trying to walk through a sea of treacle."
"Having done it once, we're now going to keep doing it - using the intellectual property we now hold in how to do economic, high performance, IP based ADSL installations, plus the knowledge of where the 'buttons' are inside Telstra to push to get it done," Hackett said.
Agile was not limited to offering the line speeds Telstra had imposed on Australian ADSL users, and would offer a full range of ADSL speeds up to what each customer's copper line could sustain. ADSL is already offered in Australia at up to 6Mbit/s by business DSL providers.
However, Internode would initially start out by offering the same speeds as Telstra ADSL to residential customers.
Instead of using the same large-scale DSLAMs as Telstra, Agile had opted for its own, more modern, internet protocol (IP) based DSLAMS. Hackett said these were significantly more flexible than Telstra's 'crufty' ATM-based DSLAMs.
"Telstra's DSLAM's are old-world ATM ones that cost more to buy, cost more to run, and start out too large to make business sense in small regional towns," he said.
Agile planned to wholesale to other ISPs, who would find the new network attractive because it was IP based and did not require the commissioning of expensive ATM links to exchanges.
"We'll be able to offer service level agreements and quality of service options that Telstra won't offer on their residential ADSL service, and their 'business' ADSL services, which have poor coverage, high price, and are only available using outdated legacy access technology."
Agile will install more DSLAMs in other rural South Australian towns, followed by the Adelaide CBD, with further expansion under evaluation.
