Australia - Broadband - Network Operators and Wholesalers

Synopsis

This report provides an overview of the major fixed broadband services providers in Australia. To date networks have been based on fibre-optic or microwave based backbones. From the backbone network operators utilise the copper access network to provide DSL based broadband services and the HFC cable network to provide similar products. The new government plans for a wholesale based national broadband network based on extending fibre to the premises may change fundamental aspects of the telecoms industry in Australia. The copper and HFC based network will continue to co-exist alongside the fibre based networks. However all ISP’s will have access to the national broadband on equal terms.

The report provides an overview of the following firms broadband operations: Telstra, Optus, Nextep Broadband, AAPT and PowerTel, Netspace, Commander, iiNet, Primus, Soul, People Telecom, Internode, Amcom, Neighbourhood Cable, Chariot and TPG, TransACT and EFTel.

Table of Contents

• 1. Synopsis
• 2. The broadband industry
  • 2.1 The National Broadband Network.
  • 2.2 Industry structure
  • 2.3 Structural separation enlarges the retail pie
  • 2.4 Reliance on wholesale DSL access
• 3. VDSL (VDSL2)
  • 3.1 TransACT
  • 3.2 EFTel
• 4. DSL Operators
  • 4.1 Telstra
  • 4.2 Optus
  • 4.3 Nextep Broadband
  • 4.4 AAPT
  • 4.5 Netspace
  • 4.6 Commander
  • 4.7 iiNet
  • 4.8 Macquarie Telecom
  • 4.9 Primus
  • 4.10 Soul
    • 4.10.1 TPG
    • 4.10.2 Chariot Limited
  • 4.11 People Telecom
  • 4.12 Internode
  • 4.13 Amcom
  • 4.14 Digital Distribution Australia
  • 4.15 TSN Internet
  • 4.16 Widelinx
• 5. HFC Networks
  • 5.1 Telstra BigPond broadband cable
  • 5.2 OptusNet cable
  • 5.3 Neighbourhood Cable
  • 5.4 TransACT
• 6. Media Companies (separate report)
• 7. Consolidation
• 8. Related reports

• Table 1 – Broadband availability by access technology – 2008