Optus said it expects OptusNet's residential DSL service would be offered at speeds of 512Kbps and 1500Kbps under a bandwidth-capped, flat rate pricing regime. However, Optus is yet to reveal details of monthly pricing and data usage available to consumers under the new service.
While the deal between the two telecommunications providers was only signed today, Optus's spokeswoman said the carrier was "pretty advanced in its back-end planning" and would start testing the service almost immediately.
However, Optus will conduct the trials privately, recruiting testers from within its own ranks.
The agreement between Optus and Telstra will allow the former to expand its broadband footprint. Currently Optus only provides broadband services through its Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) cable network, rolled out in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
The carrier claimed that the ADSL deal would double its potential market reach, from 1.4 million to 2.8 million customers. However, Optus's spokeswoman said the carrier would not yet commit to targets for uptake of the new service.
Optus expects that most uptake of its DSL service would be driven by bundled telephony deals.
Under the agreement, Optus will be given access to the last mile of copper to residential premises via Telstra's Wholesale DSL network. Optus will aggregate and route traffic over its own network beyond the exchange.
Optus's spokeswoman described the deal with Telstra as "long-term". However, the carrier did not rule out the possibility that it would construct its own DSL infrastructure at a future date.
this gives Optus access to the "last mile" of copper but with Telstra using pair -gaining or Rims on half the population and the limits of distance from local exchange will this really help those who can't already get it. Or are they just taking the money from those who can already use great service providers such as Swiftel , leaving us poor Pair-gainers on 31,200kbps with our dialups?