Westnet rolls out ADSL2+ in regional NSW and WA

Western Australia-based Internet Service Provider Westnet is rolling out ADSL2+ to more regional areas in Western Australia and New South Wales.

The NSW towns of Charlestown, Corrimal, Goonellabah, Goulburn, Grafton, Hamilton, Maitland, New Lambton, Nowra, Unanderra, Wallsend and Warilla will be included in the $5 million upgrade.

In WA, iiNet-owned Westnet is bringing super-fast ADSL2+ services to Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Bluff Point and Katanning in the next six months.

Michael Malone, chief executive officer of Westnet, said: "We want to bring the benefits of superfast broadband to as many homes and businesses as we can. This year we will build more than double the capacity of what we delivered last year and offer plans at more competitive prices than ever before."

ADSL2+ is a faster version of ADSL, which is broadband through telephone lines to a home or business. While ADSL speeds are typically limited to around 8,000kbps, ADSL2+ has a theoretical top speed of 24,000kbps.

ISPs can either install their own equipment at the telephone exchange to provide ADSL2+ services, or they can rent Telstra's. However, where they decide to install their own technology, they can offer more competitive plans, saving consumers money on their broadband bill.

Both technologies are limited by the distance the premises is located from the telephone exchange. The further away the property, the slower the speed. ADSL2+ speeds are typically fast enough to stream TV shows, download movies and music quickly and use VoIP applications such as Skype.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a way of making phone calls over the internet and can save households money on long distance calls. iiNet offers VoIP service Netphone as an add on to its broadband and phone plans, which include free local and national calls.

Regional NSW and WA customers who want to find out if ADSL2+ will be available in their towns soon can call Westnet on 1300 768 134.