Internode is one of three retail service providers who will deliver broadband and telephone services over a fibre-optic network being built by NBNCo in Tasmania. These commercial services are expected to be available in the second half of this year.

Internode took the initiative to engage with delivery of NBN Tasmania Stage 1 in order to extend its experience in providing Fibre to the Home services at 'greenfields' residential developments in SA, NSW, Victoria and Queensland.

Product manager Jim Kellett said Internode's involvement with the NBNCo proof-of-concept centre demonstrated its commitment to the National Broadband Network (NBN). "Without a doubt, fibre is a key component in the future for broadband," he said.

"We're pleased to participate in this important technical initiative to test the performance and integration of retail broadband services over an NBN-deployed fibre-optic infrastructure. We are especially glad to take part in this trial in Tasmania, which is an historically strong market for Internode."

Internode is Australia's largest privately owned broadband service provider, with more than 450 employees nationally supporting some 180,000 broadband customers throughout the country.

The company has a strong record of delivering broadband services in Tasmania. After its home state of South Australia, Tasmania is the State that has delivered Internode's next highest market share.

As well as delivering broadband services throughout Tasmania via wholesale partnerships, Internode is currently making a major investment to install its own DSLAM equipment. Once complete in the next few months, this will be able to deliver Internode's own high speed ADSL2+ services to more than 90,000 Tasmanian premises - including 12,000 businesses.

Internode has an unrivalled track record of Internet innovation in Australia including:

• Delivering the first ADSL2+ services in Australia in 2005
• Launching Australia's first region-wide WiMAX wireless network, across Yorke Peninsula, in 2008
• Offering Fibre To The Home services with wholesale partner Opticomm from early 2009

Mr. Kellett said that commitment to innovation meant Internode was fully onboard with the next generation of broadband technologies- based on the National Broadband Network. "This network goes beyond traditional broadband to open up new opportunities for Australians," he said.

"As well as ultra-fast web access, it will enable enhanced audio and video communication and collaboration; new forms of entertainment such as video-on-demand; remote health, education, telecommuting and much more. We are very pleased to be involved with the NBN from its inception."

• Extreme ADSL2+ product information
• Extreme ADSL2+ DSLAM rollout status
• Internode Fibre to the Home (currently available in selected housing estates)