Availability

While there are four basic options to receive broadband internet access, not all of these are available in all areas and to every specific location. In this article, we look at:

1. Broadband options currently available to the people and businesses of the Hunter.
2. Issues that affect the ability to receive ADSL.
3. Resources to check the availability of ADSL.

The following is a brief snapshot of what services are available to receive broadband in the Newcastle area and in the Hunter Region generally:

ADSL
As ADSL relies on the existing phone network, it is generally available to most suburban areas within the region. There are still several issues that can affect the availability of ADSL in those suburban locations and also in less-dense or recently developed areas of the Hunter. These issues are addressed later in this article.

Cable
The main cable network in Australia is related to the establishment of pay-television infrastructure. Currently, this network has only been established in the major metropolitan markets. Given the rationalisation of this industry, it is likely to be some time before a cable network of this nature is established in the Hunter.

Various companies have expressed interest in developing an independent broadband cable network in Newcastle and surrounding areas. Canadian company, Sasktel, received in-principle approval to develop such a network. This proposal did not proceed when local investment didn’t reach expectations.

Telstra has plans to develop a cable network in the Newcastle area, but development timing is still unclear.

Wireless
Wireless networks have so far been established in Sydney and South-East Queensland. It seems unlikely that a wireless network will be established in the short to medium term.

Satellite
Satellite is a viable option to receive broadband in the region, particularly in more remote areas. The usage level for this option is still very low and hasn’t really been embraced by many of the ISP’s.

Ability to receive ADSL
As ADSL relies on the existing telephone system, it obviously has a large potential market. There are still some circumstances that can affect whether ADSL can be supplied to a specific location, namely:

Proximity to an Exchange
Generally speaking, the proposed location needs to be within 4km of the nearest telephone exchange. The quality of the phone signal can be affected past this distance.

Pair Gain
Some phone lines are effectively shared with another user, thereby reducing the capacity to establish ADSL on the same line.

Exchange Capacity
Some smaller telephone exchanges don’t have the capacity to house the necessary ADSL equipment. Telstra has a continuing program to upgrade its exchanges to assist the further development and usage of ADSL.

Resources to check availability
Most of the major ISP’s provide a facility to check the availability of ADSL broadband. This will indicate that a specific phone number is connected to an ADSL-enabled exchange. An investigation will still be required to confirm that the other potential issues, as outlined above, will not prohibit you from receiving the ADSL signal.

Some sites to check availability include:

• Telstra BigPond
• Broadband Choice at Whirlpool Net
• OptusNet
• Internode

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