A Gold Coast Internet solutions provider, OntheNet, claims it is the first ISP in the state to install broadband ADSL infrastructure into Telstra's telephone exchanges.
It's a major coup for the Robina-based firm, stamping OntheNet as the first company other than Telstra to offer its own ADSL infrastructure to residential customers as well as business in Queensland.
More than 120,000 Gold Coast residents and businesses will have access to the new ADSL broadband in the initial phase of the rollout.
Suburbs extending Labrador to Broadbeach and west to Bundall will be included in this phase. The Southport exchange was enabled in late May and the remainder will be enabled by July of this year, giving the company coverage of about one third of the Gold Coast.
The second phase, to be completed by December 2004, will expand the service further and take coverage to in excess of 210,000 residents.
Together, they will service more than half of Gold Coast City.
Managing director Tak Woo says the service is good news for consumers.
He says the new infrastructure will allow OntheNet to offer much higher speeds than existing ADSL services.
"Effectively it offers residential and business Internet plans with up to twice the speed of the services of other providers, but for the same price," he says.
"New competitive infrastructure such as this is good as it leads to greater choice, more innovation, better service and lower prices.
Entry level plans for the company's new "Turbo" deals start at $29 a month, offering a download speed of 512Kbps with an allowance of 300MB; excess usage is charged at 15c/MB and capped at a $30 excess fee.
For more information, visit
www.onthenet.com.au/.