Whirlpool

Why won't Westnet offer me the same service that Telstra says is available to me?
I'm currently on Westne 1.5Mb with Telstra phone so I find it really annoying that Telstra will offer me ADSL2+ but Wetnet won't...

What's the deal there?

girvine writes...

What's the deal there?

Telstra don't wholesale ADSL2+ so Westnet can't offer ADSL2+ on Telstra equipment.

You can only get Westnet ADSL2+ in exchanges that have an Optus DSLAM in them.

Blame Telstra for that one.

^

What giga said.

girvine writes...

Why won't Westnet offer me the same service that Telstra says is available to me?

Telstra currently only offer ADSL2+ to you where there is 'competitor' equipment installed in the exchange. We currently only have a product based on one of those competitors (Optus) and are working on releasing a new product based on iiNet (Chime) equipment.

There is also some discussion about Telstra releasing ADSL2+ as a wholesale product, but there is no information yet on whether we will be using that product, or when it might become available.

As you've been told we can't currently offer you ADSL2+, I'll assume you're on an exchange without Optus ports. If you're on an exchange with iiNet / Chime ports, we should eventually be able to offer you a product that will likely be more attractive than the Telstra DSL2+ products. Unfortunately, it will be a few months yet before we're ready to sign anyone up.

Have a look at http://www.adsl2exchanges.com.au – it'll will help you determine who has equipment installed at your exchange.

Neil McIntyre writes...

We currently only have a product based on one of those competitors (Optus) and are working on releasing a new product based on iiNet (Chime) equipment.

Neil,

Will there be an ability to 'churn' from your Optus-based product to your iiNet-based product with a minimum of disruption?

Allan

Neil McIntyre writes...

Telstra currently only offer ADSL2+ to you where there is 'competitor' equipment installed in the exchange.

Telstra BigPond scrapped that notion, and have been offering ADSL2+ in non-competitor exchanges since January, with coverage to over 900 exchanges. Optus cover something like 450 exchanges, so its quite likely the OP is on a non-Optus exchange, but yes-Telstra exchange.

According to this article from The Australian featured on WP's front page today, ADSL2+ is now available as a wholesale product from Telstra – it is, however, not yet released as a product available to consumers, and will undoubtedly take some weeks (or even months) before ISPs offer it as a product to consumers.

Neil McIntyre writes...

Telstra currently only offer ADSL2+ to you where there is 'competitor' equipment installed in the exchange.

Simply incorrect. http://whirlpool.net.au/news/?id=1776

There is also some discussion about Telstra releasing ADSL2+ as a wholesale product, but there is no information yet on whether we will be using that product, or when it might become available.

Again, incorrect. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24020159-15306,00.html

Giga writes...

Blame Telstra for that one.

And blame Optus too.

canon1d writes...

Simply incorrect. http://whirlpool.net.au/news/?id=1776

You're quite right. But if the OP is on an exchange with iiNet ports, he/she can still look forward to newly available Westnet ADSL2 products in the near future.

Again, incorrect. http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24020159-15

Not really – I haven't said that we have no information. To be clearer, I should have said, we have no information to release at this time, nor is there any information available on a Westnet / Telstra DSL2 product. Personally, I've seen the past that merest hint that something is on the cards will generally be taken as gospel, so I prefer to keep non-information to a minimum.

So allow me to re-state for your benefit; "There is no information or indication at this point in time of an ADSL2 product release, based on the Telstra ADSL2 wholesale product mentioned, nor is there any announcement planned at this time. This non-information is subject to change without notice".

:)

Im on an exchange (Como) where only Telstra offer ADSL2. No other company has any equipment in there at all..... Please get in there westnet!! (or iinet)

Allan writes...

Will there be an ability to 'churn' from your Optus-based product to your iiNet-based product with a minimum of disruption?

The current wholesale processes used to move customers between providers don't seem to allow that sort of a move to happen without considerable disruption. I don't believe that we'll be able to overcome the restrictions of those processes, so I can't see it becoming an easy process overnight.

Unfortunately, it seems that the process of having a service moved from one ULL provider to any other product is usually quite disruptive, involving sequential disconnect – connect orders, and there's apparently no way to have those orders completed in one go. We're going to very carefully assess the impact for any customers who potentially might wish to move from one DSL2+ product to the other, and make sure people understand the limitations and disruptions involved.

On the other hand, it's probable that customers on DSL1 products will have a much easier transition, as a result of a single order wholesale cut-over being available.

rakem writes...

Im on an exchange (Como) where only Telstra offer ADSL2. No other company has any equipment in there at all..... Please get in there westnet!! (or iinet)

edit: Oops, you probably mean Como NSW :) in which case, I have absolutely no idea why there are no other DSLAM providers there :(

Neil McIntyre writes...

I have absolutely no idea why there are no other DSLAM providers there :(

yea... no one seems to.. its annoying

Neil McIntyre writes...

If you're on an exchange with iiNet / Chime ports, we should eventually be able to offer you a product that will likely be more attractive than the Telstra DSL2+ products. Unfortunately, it will be a few months yet before we're ready to sign anyone up.

"a few months"

Can you be any more specific than that?

Will there be a Westnet branded NakedDSL service available near the same time?

I'm not asking for exact dates, simply information as to whether a Westnet branded NakedDSL product is on the cards and if we might see it before the end of this year?

Herbie writes...

Can you be any more specific than that?

Nope, I'm sorry but I can't be. If I said a few was more than 1 and less than 12, I doubt that would be more helpful.

If your time-lines are too tight to wait and see when things become available, and you need to change plan's and providers, you should probably go ahead and do that. I'd say when we get closer to a release, we'll have more information. I really don't know when that will be though.

I'm not asking for exact dates, simply information as to whether a Westnet branded NakedDSL product is on the cards and if we might see it before the end of this year?

NDSL is not part of what we are currently working on. I couldn't guess how quickly it might follow our current offer, if we were to implement it.

Neil McIntyre writes...

Nope, I'm sorry but I can't be. If I said a few was more than 1 and less than 12, I doubt that would be more helpful.

Strangely enough that is actually helpful. The time-lines I'm looking at are about 6 months so even knowing it could be 12 months is helpful.

NDSL is not part of what we are currently working on. I couldn't guess how quickly it might follow our current offer, if we were to implement it.

That's even more helpful. Thanks for the little bit of info you were able to give.

Neil McIntyre writes...

This non-information is subject to change without notice".

Hopefully this changes before I decide to switch and bundle phones, mobile, inet, etc... :/

Neil McIntyre writes...

NDSL is not part of what we are currently working on. I couldn't guess how quickly it might follow our current offer, if we were to implement it.

Dudley bets all his internet dollars that we won't see Westnet Naked DSL until there is a Westnet VoIP to go with it.

I am in the same boat as the original OP. Telstra are offering ADSL2+ at my exchange but no Optus gear and the likely hood of that happening soon is very remote. I don't live in a major city but live in regional Queensland. I would switch to ADSL1 if the pricing and quota was more attractive even though I wouldn't get full speed as I am 3.5km from the exchange.

nightowl writes...

even though I wouldn't get full speed as I am 3.5km from the exchange.

You wouldnt get any more than adsl1 speeds being that far from the exchange either.

I recently moved to regional NSW (Nyngan) and had the choice of Telstra ADSL2+ or Westnet ADSL. It was a close decision but i couldn't stand the prospect of signing up with Telstra so Westnet won my business with the prospect of ADSL2+ in the near future.

Westnet – please hurry with this one and let your customers know the moment it's available.

Toe Cutter writes...

Westnet – please hurry with this one and let your customers know the moment it's available.

Does iiNet has ADSL2 port on your exchange? If yes, then you should be on adsl2 soon :)

Toe Cutter writes...

the choice of Telstra ADSL2+ or Westnet ADSL.

I have the same choice. My 1500 plan (Active 4 PH) with Westnet is much better value in my opinion and I will stick with it.

However the news of Telstra wholesaling ADSL2+ in the near future is interesting.

The dream of Westnet reselling Telstra ADSL2+ was inviting for a few seconds until I realised that Telstra will probably wholesale it at some exorbitant rate.

Fireflies writes...

Does iiNet has ADSL2 port on your exchange? If yes, then you should be on adsl2 soon :)

Unfortunately it doesn't.

I recently moved to regional NSW (Nyngan) and had the choice of Telstra ADSL2+ or Westnet ADSL. It was a close decision but i couldn't stand the prospect of signing up with Telstra so Westnet won my business with the prospect of ADSL2+ in the near future.

Westnet – please hurry with this one and let your customers know the moment it's available.

Nyngan will be waiting for a long while before any competitor installs their own eqiupment I'm afraid. Sorry to burst your bubble but lack of return on investment for a small population and backhaul charges means that Nyngan may never see anything apart from Telstra for ADSL2+ :(

Unless the ADSL2+ wholesale situation is sorted out.

Just because Westnet/iiNET has ADSL2+ on your exchange does not men you can get ADSL2+

I got knocked back for Westnet ADSL2+ even thought I already have an 8Mb ADSL connection.

O.k Westnet, time to pull your finger out of your tooshie and work out a deal with Telstra ADSL2+ wholesale.

My exchange is now Telstra ADSL2+ enabled and I will be looking at People Telecoms ADSL2+ plans very carefully.

My Westnet contract expire October, so your got more time to look into it. :-)

Oi³ writes...

O.k Westnet, time to pull your finger out of your tooshie and work out a deal with Telstra ADSL2+ wholesale.

My exchange is now Telstra ADSL2+ enabled and I will be looking at People Telecoms ADSL2+ plans very carefully.

My Westnet contract expire October, so your got more time to look into it. :-)

I don't see it happening anytime soon or ever for that matter.

Westnet is getting ready to release ADSL2+ via powertel/iiNet so why would they strike a deal with Telstra now?

I would be expecting Westnet to release ADSL2+ via powertel/iiNet in the next month or two if I had to put money on it.

Also, I don't see you heading over to People Telecom since the ADSL2+ plans would have to be priced higher than the 8Mbit offerings.

Currently you're on the same plan as me [60GB total for $80]. I would say to get 60GB on People Telecoms Telstra based ADSL2+ we would be looking at around $100+.

Unless of course they rework all their plans and have struck a new deal for lower port costs on 1.5 and 8 Mbit ports.

Yianni writes...

Westnet is getting ready to release ADSL2+ via powertel/iiNet so why would they strike a deal with Telstra now?

Hi Yianni,

Good point. However if that is true then most of us will be doomed to never have ADSL2+ with Westnet. (Only the more expensive offerings from BigPond or PT.)

Edit. If Westnet did offer Telstra wholesaled ADSL2+ then it would be interesting to see the pricing structure. Perhaps a 2 tier approach with one price through powertel/iiNet equipment and a much higher price for Telstra ADSL2+. This could be quite unpalatable for those with only the Telstra option.

Yianni writes...

Also, I don't see you heading over to People Telecom since the ADSL2+ plans would have to be priced higher than the 8Mbit offerings.

I will most likely be heading over to PT for their 8MB offering in October anyway. When it gets closer I will have a more closer look at all ISP's, but I know Westnets 8MB plans are just to dear versus GB's.

PT's 25GB/25GB for $84.95 is only $5.00 more than I am paying now. Sure, I loose 10GB but gain 8MB speeds. It also helps stop all this video buffering I get at times with certain sites.

Westnet is getting ready to release ADSL2+ via powertel/iiNet so why would they strike a deal with Telstra now?

Mainly because Westnet is different to iiNet. Westnet offers services that iiNet don't and visa-versa. So if Westnet could offer ADSL2+ via Telstra then iiNet has that part of the market covered.

Unless of course they rework all their plans and have struck a new deal for lower port costs on 1.5 and 8 Mbit ports.

All PT has to do is be cheaper than Telstra for their ADSL2+. I can't see how they can get anywhere near ISP's that offer their own DSLAMS, but they certainly should be able to beat telstra's ADSL2+ pricing structure.

Neil McIntyre writes...

Telstra currently only offer ADSL2+ to you where there is 'competitor' equipment installed in the exchange.

That dosen't seem to be true in my case
Exchange: SLADE POINT
CCA: MACKAY
State: Queensland
Class: Regional2
This exchange has been enabled for ADSL2+ service by Telstra ADSL2+.

Both http://www.adsl2exchanges.com.au and whirlppols search say only telstra

Oi³ writes...

but they certainly should be able to beat telstra's ADSL2+ pricing structure.

What makes you so sure about that? Telstra is wholesaling uncapped DSL1 at horrible prices, so chances are DSL2 will be even worse.

roserb21 writes...

That dosen't seem to be true in my case

Its been a shifting landscape ever since this announcement:
http://whirlpool.net.au/news/?id=1776

Zomgz writes...

What makes you so sure about that? Telstra is wholesaling uncapped DSL1 at horrible prices, so chances are DSL2 will be even worse.

Sure? Its very clear. All ISP's offer cheaper ADSL prices than Telstra, whether its cheap enough for your personal preferences is irrelevant, it is cheaper than telstra.

As to how much PT is going to charge will be a wait and see. From what I have been able to read so far is they will not be offering cheap small plans like all the other ISP's do. But they really only need to beat telsta's 12GB $89 plan, 25Gb $99 plan, or the 60GB $149 plan.

They will most likely expect people to bundle so if that's the case I'll just stick to the 8MB.

[EDIT} Looks like I'm not going anywhere. It seems PT are charging more for "zones", so the plan I was looking at is another $10.00... damn!