[clug] ADSL2 in Canberra from Internode/Agile

[Ben]

On 5/15/06, Alex Satrapa <grail at goldweb.com.au> wrote:

> In addition to the local exchange having to be compatible with the
> technology, the wiring "in the street" has to be compatible too.

It is not the wiring as such, but the distance to exchange and the
presence of RIMs that cause problems for ADSL access.

* In most cases your line will not pass a Telstra Serivce
Qualification if you are more than 6Km by cable from the exchange,
even 5Km is pushing it. Bridge taps reduce ADSL2/2+ synch speeds or
reduce the distance from the exchange.

* RIMs are like mini-exchanges. They have a fibre link to the main
exchange, and then use copper out to the premises. RIMs can be found
servicing parts of new suburbs, or new high density developments, eg.
residential towers, etc. A non-upgraded RIM will prevent you
connecting to ADSL and also prevent you receiving a high dial-up speed
(usually limits you to 28.8). An upgraded RIM allows you to have an
ADSL port of a regular speed, eg. 1500/256, 512/512, 512/128, 256/64.
You can view the status of RIM upgrades at
http://www.telstrawholesale.com/products/access_broadband_reports.htm
The relevant reprot is "ADSL Enabled and Proposed Enabled Distribution Areas".
---

Telstra's FTTN (Fibre To The Node) proposal is not about getting fibre
to your house. It is about putting in loads more RIMs (so less people
are connected to an exchange and more to a RIM). This would reduce the
distance from each house to a DSLAM, so you could get a higher
ADSL1/2/2+ synch speed (if Telstra allowed it). Telstra is only
willing to increase the number of RIMs if it can lock competitors to
the current set of artificially low speeds and anyone wanting higher
speeds has to get them through Bigpond.

This is a double whammy to competitors, as by adding more RIMs they
would be taking lines away from the exchanges where companies such as
Agile have put their DSLAMs in. Customers would be unlikely to
benefit, as Telstra wishes to cap  ADSL"2" at 3/?1? and 6/?1?(ADSLv1's
max is 8/1). If Telstra's FTTN were to go ahead, then a 14Mbit
connection with Internode could be chopped off with the only >1.5
alternative being a much more expensive 6Mbit from Bigpond.

This is why the "other carriers" including, Optus, Agile, and several
other big names are offering to fund a joint FTTN network so they can
still put their DSLAMs in at the new RIMs (or at least access the RIM
customers at full speed), but Telstra won't even talk with them about
it.