iiNet to offer mobile phone services?

Broadband ISP iiNet is considering reselling mobile phone and mobile data services. The company also hopes to replace Optus as the second largest broadband player in Australia, according to Greg Bader, the company's chief technology officer.

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"We don't have a mobile phone network, which is a shame I guess ... but certainly there are people we are talking to from a partnership point of view," Bader let slip in a ZDNet.com.au video interview.

"Wireless data is an interesting product, I don't see it as a competitor to fixed data, but I certainly see it as complementary, and we'll be looking at things in that space as well," said Bader.

Last week one of iiNet's closest competitors, People Telecom, signed a deal with Vodafone for the resale of the mobile carrier's mobile voice, email and data services. Bader's comments suggest a similar deal may be on the cards for iiNet.

Perth-based iiNet became the nation's third largest ISP with its June acquisition of fellow West Australian service provider WestNet. It has also been rapidly signing up new customers courtesy of its first-mover advantage on Naked DSL and offering attractive unmetered content to its subscribers, including free online access to the ABC and English Premier League.

The ISP's management hopes to leapfrog Optus to become the second-biggest broadband player in Australia.

"Personally I think we can be number two in the broadband space," Bader said. "I think number one is a fair ask, but certainly number two. I think the rate of growth we're experiencing at the moment is better than we've ever had. We're a solid business, we're making good margins. We clearly want to be a significant player in this market."

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Talkback 5 comments

    Go iiNET! BChau -- 29/08/08

    I have signed up with the iiNET Naked DSL last month and really enjoy the service as well as the great saving so far. I wish you luck. Go iiNET!!!

    Tierra Trouble ahead!! Anonymous -- 29/08/08

    This is what happens when OPTUS continues to naval gaze....muust stir things up a bit in the "Tierra" boardroom though...love to be a fly on the wall...where does "iinets" allegiances lie??

    Who cares? Sydney Larrwrench -- 30/08/08 (in reply to #320110867)

    The main thing is their allegiance does not lie with Telstra - The most price gouging telco to ever exist.

    The only loser at the end of the day is Telstra, and I look forward to seeing the American run Telco **** and moan even more.

    People Telecom Anonymous -- 30/08/08

    I think it's a massive stretch to call PT one of iiNet's "closest competitors"

    They would definitely be a smaller operation, and according to the ASX posted an after-tax loss of $617,841 this year and an EBITDA of just over half a million dollars.

    iiNet's EBITDA was $47.4million!

    So PT are circling the drain, and iiNet are longer better positioned to challenge for the number2 position!

    Entire Interview? Anthony Agius -- 01/09/08

    Is it possible to post the entire interview as one video please?

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