Australia moving ahead slightly again.. their broadband is still expensive due to a few self-serving companies but if something is going for half price you can be damn sure there will be a shakeup.
BigPond rolls out half-price broadband
By Louisa Hearn
November 4, 2005 - 3:44PM
BigPond has slashed the price of broadband by half to sweeten the way for new customers, but there is a catch; you have to sign up for two years.
The company said the move was aimed at increasing its broadband user base "in the face of strong competition from ISPs who have bundled offers in the market".
Telstra's half-price deal will last 12 months for all new ADSL, Cable and Wireless broadband customers who either have, or opt to take up Telstra home phone and mobile services, sign up for online billing, and enter into a 24-month contract. The company is also cutting $129 from the price of broadband installations.
Its existing home phone customers will also be offered six months half-price broadband, but by either adding an eligible Telstra mobile plan, or signing up online, can extend their discounted period to nine months.
The current annual cost of BigPond broadband ranges from about $360 to $1560 per year, excluding installation which starts at $129.
Customers can save between $308 and $908 depending on the plan they choose, Telstra said.
The company currently has just over a 40 per cent share of the broadband market, but competitors such as iiNet, Internode, Optus and Primus Telecom are all gaining presence both in subscriber numbers and technology, said Chia Seiler, telecommunications analyst at Frost & Sullivan.
"Telstra does have to take action to remain competitive but one of its key advantages its the ability to bundle across a wide range of products." she said.
Optus also unveiled new broadband plans this week, but its focus was strictly rural as it rolled out a satellite service aimed at bridging "the digital divide between regional and metropolitan areas".
Federal funding still available to eligible individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations could be used to cover the costs of satellite equipment and installation, with monthly plans available at between $44 and $69 per month, Optus said.
Last month, Optus announced it had started a $150 million rollout of its own broadband infrastructure, giving direct access to an additional 2.9 million homes and businesses, on top of its existing user base.
BigPond rolls out half-price broadband
By Louisa Hearn
November 4, 2005 - 3:44PM
BigPond has slashed the price of broadband by half to sweeten the way for new customers, but there is a catch; you have to sign up for two years.
The company said the move was aimed at increasing its broadband user base "in the face of strong competition from ISPs who have bundled offers in the market".
Telstra's half-price deal will last 12 months for all new ADSL, Cable and Wireless broadband customers who either have, or opt to take up Telstra home phone and mobile services, sign up for online billing, and enter into a 24-month contract. The company is also cutting $129 from the price of broadband installations.
Its existing home phone customers will also be offered six months half-price broadband, but by either adding an eligible Telstra mobile plan, or signing up online, can extend their discounted period to nine months.
The current annual cost of BigPond broadband ranges from about $360 to $1560 per year, excluding installation which starts at $129.
Customers can save between $308 and $908 depending on the plan they choose, Telstra said.
The company currently has just over a 40 per cent share of the broadband market, but competitors such as iiNet, Internode, Optus and Primus Telecom are all gaining presence both in subscriber numbers and technology, said Chia Seiler, telecommunications analyst at Frost & Sullivan.
"Telstra does have to take action to remain competitive but one of its key advantages its the ability to bundle across a wide range of products." she said.
Optus also unveiled new broadband plans this week, but its focus was strictly rural as it rolled out a satellite service aimed at bridging "the digital divide between regional and metropolitan areas".
Federal funding still available to eligible individuals, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations could be used to cover the costs of satellite equipment and installation, with monthly plans available at between $44 and $69 per month, Optus said.
Last month, Optus announced it had started a $150 million rollout of its own broadband infrastructure, giving direct access to an additional 2.9 million homes and businesses, on top of its existing user base.