What is an Internode Extreme ADSL2+ plan?

Internode Extreme ADSL2+ plans represent the ultimate in ADSL broadband performance. An Internode Extreme ADSL2+ plan delivers you the fastest ADSL experience available - via ADSL, ADSL2, ADSL2+ or ADSL2+ Annex M, depending on your plan and the capabilities of your router. Internode Extreme ADSL2+ is available across our product range of Home, SOHO, Business and IBC services.

Can I Get an Internode Extreme ADSL2+ Plan?

The very first step is to check your eligibility for Internode Extreme ADSL2+ by entering your phone number into our coverage checker tool. This will tell you the name of your local exchange, and if it has been enabled for Internode Extreme ADSL2+ (indicated by the middle column).

If your exchange is not currently covered or it is 'in build', you can go to our DSLAM Coverage Table to check if we are planning to roll out an Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM to your exchange in the near future.

You can also find a list of the stages at which you will be able to order or pre-order Extreme plans by consulting our DSLAM Status Table.

How can I tell if I am already connected to an Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM port?

If you are already an Internode ADSL customer, just use our ADSL Status Query tool. Enter your line number and username and 'Submit' the form.

On the results screen, you will see the last row of the table is called 'Carrier for ADSL Port'. If this is listed as 'Agile', then your line is connected to an ADSL2+ capable Internode DSLAM port. You can change to an Extreme plan via the online plan changer as soon as you're ready, and it will take a couple of weeks.

If this field says 'Telstra' then you are attached to a Telstra Wholesale DSLAM port at this time - read on for information about obtaining Internode ADSL2+ Extreme via a Single Service Migration.

My Exchange is 'Active' for Internode Extreme ADSL2+

That's terrific! If you're already an Internode ADSL customer then please read the FAQ above to see if you're already connected to an Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM port, and if so - get Extreme!

Otherwise, your choices are :

If you do not have an ADSL service on your telephone line

Simply order an Internode Extreme ADSL2+ service online by clicking here. Provisioning generally takes around two weeks.

If you have an Internode ADSL service on your telephone line

You can request a Single Service Migration to an Internode Extreme ADSL2+ plan by clicking 'Migrate Service' on the online plan changer. If you are eligible to switch to an Extreme plan, the plan changing system will make this clear when you select the plan changing system in the accounts system menu.

This migration generally takes about two weeks.

If you have an ADSL service from another Internet Service Provider on your telephone line

You first need to check whether your current ISP supports the Single Service Transfer process. You can check this by clicking here (Excel file), and checking your current ISP against the column titled 'DSL/SSS Transfer'.

If your current ISP supports SST (a tick)

Then sign up online and select Single Service Transfer to an Internode Extreme ADSL2+ plan.

Please ensure that you are not under contract with your current provider (or if you are, that you are prepared to accept any penalties from them). This transfer generally takes about two weeks.

If your current ISP does not support SST (a cross)

Then it's a two step process - first a 'churn', and then a 'migration'.

The first step is to sign up online and select Churn (Rapid Transfer) to an Internode ADSL Standard plan - not an Extreme one! If you wish to be migrated ASAP, you will need to chose an ADSL Standard plan that is at a lower monthly price than the Extreme ADSL2+ plan that you wish to be on.

Once again, please ensure that you are not under contract with your current provider (or if you are, then you are prepared to accept any penalties from them). Churns usually take just a few days.

• Please be aware that some telephone lines may be impossible to migrate to an Internode DSLAM, due to technology blockers such as Telstra RIMs (see below for more details). In these cases, you will not be able to complete the Single Service Migration step to obtain Internode Extreme ADSL2+.

You will be notified once you have churned, and you'll then have an Internode ADSL service on your telephone line, and can hence use a 'Single Service Migration' to obtain an Internode Extreme ADSL2+ service. Request a Single Service Migration to an Internode Extreme ADSL2+ plan by using the Migrate tool here.

If you are eligible to switch to an Extreme plan, the plan changing system will make this clear when you select the plan changing system in the accounts system menu. This migration generally takes about two weeks.

The other alternative, if you can stand not having broadband for a couple of weeks, is to cancel your current ADSL service and order a new Internode Extreme ADSL2+ service from scratch!

Important Information if you are currently with another ISP

If you use any method - Churn / Rapid Transfer, Single Service Transfer, disconnection, etc - to move from your current ISP to Internode, your current ISP may charge you contract break fees and/or service disconnection fees - in accordance with their contract with you.

Internode is not responsible for, and has no control over these fees.

Please check your existing contractual conditions carefully before changing providers.

Important Information about Line Sharing Technology

Internode Extreme ADSL2+ services use 'Line Sharing Technology' to provide your broadband service - ie the higher frequencies on the line are used by Internode to provide your broadband, and the lower frequencies are used by telcos to provide your analog voice service.

Other Internode ADSL services may use Line Sharing Technology at the discretion of Internode, and Internode may migrate you to Line Sharing Technology on any plan type, for operational reasons, and at the sole discretion of Internode, during your use of the service with Internode.

Some Telstra Retail line rental plans (specifically, at the time of writing, Telstra HomeLine Budget) may contain a contractual exclusion regarding the use of those line rental plans in conjunction with a Line Sharing Technology based broadband service on the same phone line.

These commercial decisions made by Telstra Retail are outside of the control of Internode. Internode advises you to check the contractual conditions that apply to your Telstra Retail voice line rental service (if you use one) before obtaining an Internode ADSL service.

More About Single Service Transfer, Churn / Rapid Transfer, and Single Service Migration

• Single Service Transfer : gets you from a participating ISP directly to an Internode Extreme ADSL2+ service; ie you end up on an Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM port. Unfortunately not all ISPs are part of this process - check your ISP in the last column of this table.
• Rapid Transfer (commonly called 'Churn') : gets you from a participating ISP to an Internode ADSL service - but not directly an Internode Extreme ADSL2+ service. This process is well-established and supported by most ISPs; the subtle difference between this and Single Service Transfer is that you end up on a Telstra Wholesale DSLAM port, not an Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM port.
• Single Service Migration : gets you from an Internode ADSL service (Telstra Wholesale DSLAM port) to an Internode Extreme ADSL2+ service (Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM port).

Please refer to this page for further information and a diagram that explains the differences.

Also be aware that once you are migrated by Internode onto an ADSL2+ DSLAM port, it will no longer be possible to 'churn' to another ISP using the Churn / Rapid Transfer process. This is because 'Churn' only applies between two ISPs who are both using Telstra Wholesale DSLAM ports. Note this can even happen with a non-Extreme Internode ADSL service, in certain circumstances.

What If My Exchange is In Build?

You are able to check if your exchange area is currently having an Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM facility installed by entering your phone number into our coverage checker tool, or consulting our DSLAM Coverage Table.

If you are an existing Internode ADSL customer, we'd encourage you to check your exchanges Internode ADSL2+ status on a regular basis. Once it is listed as 'Active', you can apply for a Single Service Migration to obtain ADSL2+ Extreme.

If you are not an existing Internode ADSL customer and your exchange is currently in-build, you won't be able to order an Extreme service. You can order any other Internode ADSL Standard or ADSL Plus service (256/64k, 512/128k, 512/512k, 1500/256k, or up to 8M/384k) and when your exchange is active for Internode ADSL2+, you can apply for a Single Service Migration.

What If I'm on a RIM?

Unfortunately some telephone lines may be impossible to migrate due to Telstra technology blockers (such as being on a 'mini-mux' port inside a RIM cabinet, instead of being attached directly via copper to the main exchange concerned). In such cases, your best solution is to use an Internode SOHO ADSL Plus or SOHO ADSL Standard plan.

Will I get the maximum possible download speeds?

Extreme plans provide the maximum possible performance we can provide, subject to the physical DSLAM port you are currently on, the length and condition of your copper line, and your choice of ADSL device (an ADSL2+ compatible device is needed for maximum possible speeds).

So your actual achieved speed will be a minimum of 1.5 and a maximum of 24 Megabits per second. Your actual results will be somewhere in between. We have a graph and some real-world customer statistics on this page that may give you some idea of the potential performance you may be able to achieve.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The achieved 'sync speed' in ADSL2+ full-rate mode can actually vary over time. Because this service is extracting the maximum possible performance from your current telephone line and modem environment, and this environment can change over time - so can the sync speed.

In particular, over time, some segments of the spectrum of frequencies used by ADSL2+ can be impacted by line noise or a loss of signal strength, resulting in the ADSL2/2+ protocol 'locking out' certain parts of the available bands, with the result being a lowering in line speed. Sometimes resetting your ADSL device can restore the sync speed, before it starts falling away slowly again.

This is not representative of a fault - it is just a reflection that the best possible speed can, and does, vary over time, as the conditions in the copper line network (external interference, potential water ingress into joints, etc) can vary over time.

Note also that a more conservative ADSL2+ line profile can sometimes generate results which start out slower, but which also remain far more stable going forward.

What factors might cause my achieved line speed to be lower than I expected?

There are lots of reasons why your achieved line speed may be lower than you may have expected based on consulting our graph of indicative speeds.

Note that most of the following are also a factor at lower line speeds, but at high speeds, these factors become far more important. This is a natural consequence of the higher speeds making higher demands on the capabilities of both your equipment and your copper line. Hence, lines that work fine at 1500/256 may in some cases require a little effort in order to generate reliable results at higher speeds.

Here are some of the things to consider (and in some cases, try) if your speed is not as high as you had expected:

• Make sure you have line filters on all non-ADSL devices and that the line filters you are using are high quality ones suitable for ADSL2+ (such as the C10 'M' series filters sold by Internode).
• Make sure your house wiring is good, and ideally, have a licensed cabler install a central splitter (such as the C10-100E sold by Internode) to split the ADSL path to your ADSL device ahead of every other device in the house (those other devices can then be attached with no further filters needed). Naturally, as always, if you have an Alarm system, make sure you have a splitter installed by your Alarm company to ensure correct results. We highly recommend that all ADSL2+ users install a central splitter.
• Make sure you don't have any 'stealth' unfiltered devices on your phone line, such as answering machines, fax machines, Foxtel control boxes, alarm systems, etc. Its important that you either use a central splitter or that every non-ADSL device is behind a good quality ADSL2+ filter.
• Ensure that your ADSL Router/Modem is fast enough (some devices run out of CPU power below the configured line synch speed at ADSL2+ data rates).

A good test, to start with, is an isolation test. Try disconnecting every device attached to your phone lines except for the ADSL modem, and see whether you get substantially better results. If you do, there is most likely a device requiring a better filter, or you may benefit from a central splitter installation. We highly recommend getting a central splitter installed.

Do I have to have an ADSL2/2+ modem or router to use the Extreme ADSL2+ service?

No, you don't. However please note :

• if you use an ADSL1 modem, the maximum possible speed that you may get will be 8000/1000 kbps.
• if you only have an ADSL2 (non plus) modem, your speed will be limited to a maximum possible speed of 12000/1000 kbps
• if you have an ADSL2+ ('Annex A') modem, your speed will be limited to a maximum possible speed of 24000/1000 kbps, which is the maximum speed for a Home Extreme ADSL2+ plan.
• if you have an ADSL2+ ('Annex M') modem and a SOHO, Business or IBC ADSL2+ Extreme plan, your maximum possible speed will be 24000/2500 kbps!
• Please click here for more information about ADSL2+ Speeds

Our goal is to deliver the maximum possible speed available with your hardware, and on your specific copper line - and you are quite welcome to just keep using an ADSL1 modem if the speed delivered by that device is sufficient for your needs.

If you decide, later, to move up to an ADSL2/2+ based device, you can simply do that, and your new device will work faster - automatically - on the same plan.

The speed that you actually obtain depends on the quality and length of the copper phone line running from the exchange to your house and on the ADSL device you use. The achieved line speeds when using an ADSL2 or ADSL2+ device will be faster than those achieved by an ADSL1 device, at all line speeds. In particular, even on a long line, an ADSL2/2+ device may achieve a significantly higher speed than an ADSL1 device can provide.

That said, there is no need to upgrade or modify your existing ADSL1 Modem or Router if the 'up to 8000' speed range is sufficient for your needs at this time.

How long does it take to install an Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM facility?

Take a look at this link for an indication of the typical timeframes that apply to the process of constructing and commissioning an Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM facility. Please note that we cannot provide you with any further guidelines other than those listed on our website with regards to the timeframes of a DSLAM build.

Why can't I see the Extreme plans when I try to Change Plans or Signup Online?

These plans are only available when you are connected to an Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM.

Once your Exchange is marked ACTIVE, you can sign up to or transfer in to to an Extreme plan on your service.

Internode customers can initiate a Single Service Migration by using the Migrate Service tool, as explained above.

When I order an ADSL service will I get connected to an Internode, Telstra Wholesale or Optus Wholesale DSLAM?

Internode DSLAM carrier selection policy

We are in a dynamic market space, and reserve the right to modify our policies related to the management and deployment of our broadband ADSL services.

When you order an ADSL service, we will deliver it using our choice of telecommunications infrastructure. Furthermore, we may decide to migrate existing ADSL services from one underlying DSLAM port provider to another, to satisfy logistic or operational requirements in managing our broadband services.

As a guide, here is our current operational policy in selecting the telecommunications infrastructure we use for your service:

ADSL Standard and ADSL Plus

ADSL Standard and ADSL Plus services are installed using a Telstra Wholesale or an Internode DSLAM port, at our sole discretion.

High demand for Extreme ADSL2+ services means that at present, most ADSL Standard and ADSL Plus orders are installed on Telstra Wholesale DSLAM ports. However, some ADSL Standard and ADSL Plus services are installed on Internode DSLAM ports, via a Spectrum Sharing Service on the copper pair between the exchange and your premises.

Bulk Migrations

When we install a new Internode DSLAM, or complete a major capacity upgrade of an existing Internode DSLAM, we may perform a 'bulk migration' process. This involves moving some existing ADSL Standard and ADSL Plus customers from Telstra Wholesale DSLAM ports, to Internode DSLAM ports (connected via Spectrum Sharing Services). This work is undertaken entirely at Internode's expense, and all affected customers are notified before the migration commences.

Once migrated, these customers can choose to either remain on their current ADSL plan; or place an online request for a plan change in order to enjoy the extra value of Extreme ADSL2+.

Customers that do not wish to be migrated to an Internode DSLAM can simply advise this by replying to the migration notification. Their ADSL service will be marked as 'Do Not Migrate', and will not be moved from the Telstra Wholesale DSLAM port. For example this is sometimes requested by business customers who already have an Extreme ADSL2+ service, and wish to retain their second broadband service on a different DSLAM for redundancy.

Extreme ADSL2+

Extreme ADSL2+ services are connected to an Internode DSLAM, via a Spectrum Sharing Service on the copper pair between the exchange and your premises.

Naked ADSL2+

Naked ADSL2+ services are connected to an Optus Wholesale DSLAM, via an Unbundled Local Loop copper pair between the exchange and your premises.

Why isn't Internode putting an ADSL2+ DSLAM in my exchange right now?

Installing new, high speed DSLAM installations into Telstra exchanges is difficult, expensive, and time consuming.

We are rolling out new DSLAM coverage areas as rapidly as we practically can, and our decisions in terms of the locating and timing of DSLAM service installations is dependent on a variety of factors. These include the current customer base size in an area; availability of space and power for our equipment; and the cost of backhaul from a given area back into the existing Internode international network backbone.

If your exchange is not listed in our currently posted list of service areas as either enabled or upcoming, this does not mean we won't ultimately service your area - we simply need to establish the business case in each area before we can publish it into our list of intended rollout sites.

The best thing you can do - in order to help us make the business case viable to bring Internode broadband services to your exchange area - is to sign up on a high speed plan with Internode now. The more existing customers in a given exchange area, the better the potential for a viable business case to install an Internode ADSL2+ DSLAM.