Internode spends $10M to double broadband reach
In a 12-month infrastructure deployment program, Internode will install ADSL2+ broadband equipment at 57 new telephone exchanges nationally and expand capacity at 115 telephone exchanges where its equipment is already installed. More than half of the new exchanges are located in Victoria.
Internode currently operates more than 50,000 of its own ADSL2+ broadband ports at 120 telephone exchanges nationally. This expansion will bring the Internode-direct port total to nearly 100,000.
A major beneficiary of this accelerated investment program is Tasmania, where Internode will install its DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer) equipment (pictured, right) at an additional 10 telephone exchanges. To date, Internode has its own equipment installed at just two Tasmanian exchanges.
Although it offers ADSL2+ broadband services nationally through wholesale access agreements with Telstra and Optus, Internode is committed to installing its own broadband equipment in order to improve service quality, create a platform for expanded service delivery and to reduce its operating costs.
Internode CEO Patrick Tapper said the $10 million investment was to meet Internode's needs for the next three or four years. "We are rolling out capacity well ahead of time," he said.
"This is to both meet the needs of our growing customer base and to avoid the logjam that occurs when we and other ISPs want to install equipment in telephone exchanges run by Telstra. If we do it well in advance, then we avoid delays that can cause demand to get ahead of delivery."
Mr. Tapper said the Federal Government's abandonment of the Fibre to the Node network had cleared the way for Internode to make this major investment. "By removing the disruptive threat of the FTTN, we can proceed with a major investment that will pay its way over several years," he said.
"Internode is committed to building its own roads, so we can guarantee the quality of service we deliver and avoid being held back by the speed bumps that other companies might impose on their networks."
"Our high performance network is a technical platform to support our growth and product pathway for the future, which includes delivering innovative services such as Naked DSL, TiVo and Internode Business Connect (Internode's private IP network). As the market matures, people will choose their broadband company based on both innovation and quality. Internode has both those bases covered."
Mr. Tapper said Internode installed its DSLAM equipment at exchanges based on customer demand and to achieve strategic objectives. "Our new capacity means that we will continue to offer better value and quality services to our customers," he said.
"We've also selected a number of strategic locations that we see as a good place to be in the future. Tasmania is a great example of this. With the imminent availability of the Basslink fibre cable and the Federal Government's plan to roll out fibre first to Tasmania, this a good place for us to build."
