What is Annex M?

Annex M is an ADSL2+ standard that increases the theoretical upstream data rate
beyond standard ADSL2+ limits.

Most Australian ADSL2+ uses the Annex A standard, with a theoretical upstream data rate of 1.4Mb/s. Annex M increases the maximum data rate beyond this limit - up to 3Mb/s. Real-world speeds of up to 2.5Mb/s have been recorded although typical upstream speeds are
around 1.6 to 2.2 Mb/s.

Any increase in upstream speeds will typically result in a matching decrease in downstream speed - typically at a 1:1 ratio. As with Annex A ADSL2+, your speeds also depend on factors such as the length and condition of your telephone line, and the quality of your
wiring (amongst others).

Annex M services were introduced in Australia by Internode in November 2006 and are now available nationally on direct Internode ADSL2+ connections:

• Easy Broadband
• Easy Naked (connected to an Internode DSLAM)
• Older NakedExtreme or Extreme ADSL2+ services
  on a SOHO or Business plan (no longer available)

What are the benefits of using Annex M?

Many everyday tasks - for instance, sending email or sharing photos on Facebook - are constrained by your upstream data speeds. Business uses such as working from home, videoconferencing, or publishing web pages - and increasingly social uses like photo and video sharing - place higher demand on upstream speeds.

ADSL2+ Annex M allows dramatic increases in upstream data speed, with real world speeds typically around 1.6 to 2.2Mb/s - sometimes even twice as fast as "standard"
(Annex A) upstream speeds.

These increased upstream speeds allow business operations - such as sending files or serving data - to occur at much faster speeds, improving productivity.

What are the requirements for using Annex M?

The following are required to use Internode Annex M:

• An Internode ADSL2+ connection connected to an Internode DSLAM, such as:
  • Easy Broadband
  • Easy Naked (connected to an Internode DSLAM), or
  • Older NakedExtreme or Extreme ADSL2+ services
    on a SOHO or Business plan (no longer available)
  (Annex M is not available on Internode ADSL services connected via
  a Telstra Wholesale or Optus Wholesale DSLAM port.)
• An Annex M compatible modem/router (you will need to enable Annex M mode).
• Select an Annex M profile in the Internode ADSL2+ port profile changer.

What does it cost to use Annex M?

Internode offers ADSL2+ Annex M at no extra cost.

What ADSL2+ modems/routers support Annex M mode?

Many devices in Australia now support the ADSL2+ Annex M protocol. Examples include:

• All Billion ADSL Routers currently sold by Internode - including the 7300 series, the 7401VGP-R3, and the current 7404 series.
  Note that previous 7402/7404 models do not support Annex M.
• All NetComm ADSL Routers sold by Internode - including the NB6Plus4
  and the NB6Plus4W.
• The Cisco 887-M Integrated Services Routers currently sold by Internode. Note that Cisco 887 models without the 'M' suffix do not support Annex M.

How do I turn Annex M on and off for my
Internode ADSL2+ service?

Providing that you meet the requirements for doing so you can enable Annex M online through My Internode:

1. Log in to My Internode using your Internode username and password.
   (Lost your password? Click here!)
2. Select Internode ADSL2+ Profiles under My Services in the menu.
3. On the profile selection screen, select one of the available ADSL2+ Annex M profiles:
   
   • ADSL2+ Annex M Low Latency
   • ADSL2+ Annex M Very High Reliability
   • ADSL2+ Annex M Standard
   • ADSL2+ Annex M High Speed
   • ADSL2+ Annex M Very High Speed
   For more information on ADSL2+ Profiles, see
   our Internode ADSL2+ Profiles guide.
4. Once you have selected your profile, click Next >>>
5. Confirm your profile choice by clicking Proceed >>>
6. Configure your ADSL2+ modem to allow an Annex M connection if it is
   not already set to do so.
   (For instance, on a Billion 7404 this is in the modem's web status screen, under ADSL.)
7. Wait 10-15 minutes for the profile changer to change your profile.
8. Reset your ADSL modem and you should connect in ADSL2+ Annex M mode.

To turn Annex M off, simply return to the Internode ADSL2+ Profiles tool and select a standard line profile, then configure your ADSL2+ modem to use an Annex A connection.

What upload sync speed can I expect from Annex M?

Real-world observations show that customers often achieve upstream speeds in the range of 1.3 Mb/s up to about 2.5 Mb/s.

Customers on very short/very high quality lines may exceed 2.5 Mbit/s; whereas customers on very long lines may find little or no improvement compared to Annex A.

What constraints can limit my Annex M upload speed?

In addition to normal factors which limit ADSL2+ speeds - such as line length, attenuation, and wiring quality - additional constraints to apply to Annex M.

In particular, “crosstalk” - the network interference caused by Annex M and Annex A services running in adjacent copper pairs within network cables - must be kept to a minimum. The Network Deployment Rules require that we assess the line attenuation on your service, and based on that attenuation we select the range of permitted Annex M connection modes.

This means that your achieved upstream mode may be slower than you expect, for reasons related to the Network Deployment Rules. These rules are not modifiable - they are the basis on which it is legal to deploy Annex M in Australia.

What impact does Annex M have on download sync speeds?

Because of the asymmetric nature of ADSL2+ speeds, each megabit you gain upstream has a larger proportional impact in overall terms than the speed you ‘lose’ on the downstream path.

The theoretical trade-off is about 1:1 - whatever increase in upstream speed will result in a matching decrease in downstream speed.

That said, there are reasons why the trade-off may be worse than 1:1 - you may see a greater drop in downstream sync speed than you gain in upstream speed.

In practice, we have also observed some improvements in both downstream and upstream speeds in Annex M mode - which is theoretically impossible - but likely due to firmware improvements compared to existing Annex A firmware. In a nutshell, if speeds rise in both directions, don’t be concerned - be happy!

How do I request technical support or submit feedback?

Please submit requests for support to our Support team.

How did Annex M become available?

In 2005, Internode worked with the Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) to drive the standardisation of the Annex M access method. Through extensive administration and technical work - in conjunction with consultants and the ACIF - changes to the Network Deployment Rules were developed, tested, ratified, and registered - allowing Annex M to be used in Australia.

Full legal Registration of the appropriate Network Deployment Rules occurred on 16 November 2006.