After a seven-month suspension, national broadband leader Internode has re-launched its high-speed HOME ADSL2+ services in Tasmania, in advance of competitive backhaul prices to the mainland.

The decision makes Internode’s entire range of ADSL2+ broadband plans now available in Tasmania, including entry-level HOME services. Internode will also add 46 ADSL2+ equipped telephone exchanges to its Tasmanian reach from mid December after last week signing an ADSL2+ wholesale agreement with Telstra.

In May, Internode suspended sales in Tasmania of its fastest HOME broadband plans due to unaffordable backhaul capacity across Bass Strait. Because Bass Strait backhaul is limited to a monopoly supplier, Telstra, it is much more expensive for Internode to transfer data between Tasmania and Victoria than it is to move data between Australia and the US.

Although Internode has continued to offer its SOHO and Business plans at any speed, up to and including Extreme ADSL2+, Tasmanian residents could purchase only HOME broadband plans running at ADSL speeds up to 1500/256k since May 6.

Internode Managing Director Simon Hackett said Internode had decided to resume selling HOME ADSL2+ broadband plans due to the expected connection of the BASSLink fibre link to Victoria. “While the cost of backhaul services from Tasmania remains appalling, we expect this situation to improve in 2009 when BASSLInk introduces infrastructure competition,” he said.

“While this means Internode will have to subsidise these services until competitive pricing is available, we have taken this decision to supply the unmet demand for ADSL2+ services in Tasmania. As elsewhere in the country, Internode is investing upfront to benefit our customers.”

About Internode www.internode.on.net

Internode is a first tier IP carrier committed to using broadband technology to redefine the national telecommunications environment. The Australian-owned company is a trailblazer that delivers broadband services to individuals and businesses throughout Australia.

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