iiNet subsidiary Westnet will provide ADSL2+ services for the first time to approximately 140,000 homes in regional NSW and Western Australia as part of a $5 million broadband infrastructure upgrade.
The project, which has doubled in pace over 2010 installations, will involve a rollout of digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) equipment across exchanges affecting 120,000 homes in NSW’s Hunter Valley and north and south coasts. Some 20,000 homes are also expected to receive ADSL2+ plans as part of rollouts in Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bluff Point and Katanning in Western Australia.
The rollout will likely overlap with the National Broadband Network (NBN) in some parts, which has been slated to be installed at sites in Geraldtown in Western Australia, as well as Kiama Downs along NSW’s south coast early this year. However, iiNet’s continued ADSL2+ rollout echoes similar sentiment across the ISP sector.
In March 2010, Internode announced continued expansion of its own ADSL2+ network in Tasmania, despite the looming enabling of NBN services at first trial sites on the island.
At the time, managing director, Simon Hackett, told Computerworld Australia that he believed the Australian market would continue to have long-term demand for ADSL2+ services regardless of forthcoming fibre technology.
"We don't see these as conflicting things,” he said. “Our customers need the best service we can build for them today, as well as being able to access the best service tomorrow (via the NBN) as and when that becomes an option for various geographic regions around Australia over time."
It is believed ISPs can see a return on investment for DSLAM installation within 18 to 24 months based on current pricing.
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