Trying to connect Naked DSL without an existing phone number

Hi Lu,

If I had to take a guess at what you're referring to, I'd suggest that you're on TPG's Sign Up page (which is accessible from our site, as we're a dealer for TPG, Internode and Vodafone), and trying for Naked DSL.

We've discussed this on the site in several articles and Ask-The-Experts, but it's worth going over again- Naked DSL is not what most people think it is. Many people arrive in a new home, and say "we want broadband, but we don't need or want to pay for a phone line".

They then follow that up with "We've tried to go with Wireless/Mobile Broadband before, but we found it to be too unreliable and the data allowances are too constricting for our family.

Therefore, we will go with this 'Naked DSL' thing, which offers the data, speed and reliability of a bundled ADSL Home Phone and Internet bundle, but with no line rental!"

Let's take a step back and consider what Naked DSL really is. For starters, it is still a Digital Subscriber Line - it's still a hardwired connection, from your modem to your copper telephone line, back to the internet.

It still uses part of Telstra's copper phone line network to transmit the data. For the most part 'Naked' is more a technological difference, and not an economic one.

Bundled Local Loop

Most telephone lines are part of a bundled local loop network. This is controlled and maintained by Telstra, and is used by ISPs to connect you to their network.

Unconditioned Local Loop (ULL)

A section of the telephone network is left unattended, to be used by other companies as they see fit. This is unconditioned local loop line, and is used to connect customers to 'Naked DSL' lines.

In order to get on to ULL copper, you actually have to get a Telstra technician to transfer your home from bundled loop to ULL. This means you have to start with an active Telstra service, and then TPG would have it disconnected as part of your connection.

Complicated, right?

All this, and Naked DSL isn't even cheaper. It's actually more expensive with TPG.

With a bundled Telstra connection, you pay $30 for the line rental and $30 for TPG's Unlimited internet connection. The whole bundle is $60.

For Naked DSL, using ULL to connect you directly to TPG, you pay $70 a month for Unlimited data.

So really, there is no direct economic benefit to getting Naked DSL. You can just as easily go for the bundle, pay less, and just don't use the phone line. There is literally no difference at your end. 

Naked DSL is sometimes a little faster, because the line is being dedicated to broadband data only, with nothing hanging over for the phone service. But otherwise, it's more expensive and more difficult to get connected.

The following providers can get you a Naked DSL line from an inactive line, but the wait is usually 3-4 weeks.

Dodo - 1300 136 793

iPrimus - 1300 137 794

Internode - 1300 106 571

Thanks,

Adam at CompareBroadband

1300 106 571