SA Footy

Was helping my parents go through some different broadband comparisons today on Whirlpool and realised I know squat about ADSL2 as opposed to ADSL.

A few dumb questions:

I have 1500 X ADSL. Am I going to notice a huge difference in ADSL2? The numbers make the speeds look phenomenal but is this the case in reality?

It seems cheaper than ADSL. Why?

Can you get it across Adelaide. Various websites say I can get it in my area (ST Marys exchange).

Recommendations for ISPs? Kern looks to have some good deals. Are there any that let you churn from ADSL to ADSL2?

Thanks in advance.

Edit: Kern seem to have a pretty good deal: Kern Internet ADSL2+ Advanced $40 /mo 24576/1024 10 GB Shaped

I got it and Im miles away from the Exchange.
To compare I used to download bit torrents at a max speed of 150-160kb/s but now get spees of up to 600kb/s.
Dunno about cheaper, Im paying more than I used to for ADSL.
Usually pay $59.95pm for 20gb download limite (used to be $49.95 with TPG before they put prices up, then I moved to Internode) but I find with my current needs I up my plan to the $79.95pm for 40gb download limit.

ADSL2 uses a different modem, and also more importantly, totally different technology. In many cases the ISPs can bypass Telstra's equipment at the exchanges and use their own (as with Internode and IINet DSLAMS).

On an average, it doesn't cost any more really for an ISP to run a customer on ADSL.

Why do blank CDs which hold 700MB cost less than a floppy disk that holds 1.44?
Newer often equals cheaper.


As for your parents, it all depends on what they want to use it for. Most "Parents" I know don't really care for huge speeds, and as long as emails come through quick and websites come up and the speed of light, that's all they want.

Talking about ISPS - I wouldn't go past Internode. the best in SA, if no Australia. Been around for years, they have the userbase to back it up and would be the most reliable ISP I've ever been with. You can always "up" your plan to a higher one if you feel that the speed and/or downloads isn't right so there's no risk of being locked in to the wrong plan for 2 years.


Exchanges - If your exchange supports ADSL2 then chances are you can get it. "Chances are"..... not "yes". If you are in a block of units on a pair gain system (one copper wire shared among different residences) then chances are - no. My brother at one point, lived in Clearview, probably 8km from the city. His exchange (Gepps Cross) was ADSL2 enabled but he had to wait 6 months before his line was transposed before he could get it.

Thanks for the advice fellas. I'd be happy to go with Internode but they are not competitive price-wise. Their cheapest home ADSL2 plan is $60 a month, more than I want to spend.

Wedgie, just curious - Kern charge only $60 pm for 40gb download on ADSL2. Why would you pay $20 more?

Because it's not just price!

Biggest mistake in choosing an ISP is price.

The number of ISPs that have either sold and gone under, or jacked up prices in the last few years is amazing.
The put prices that are low and have no margin - only to realise that running an ISP on a low margin doesn't work.

I'd rather be on Internode and know it's not changing

Dissident wrote:Because it's not just price!

Biggest mistake in choosing an ISP is price.

The number of ISPs that have either sold and gone under, or jacked up prices in the last few years is amazing.
The put prices that are low and have no margin - only to realise that running an ISP on a low margin doesn't work.

I'd rather be on Internode and know it's not changing

Of course, you're right. My ISP (aanet) has just been bought out, though at the moment it's still very good. but you never know what is around the corner.

I agree with you with some of the fly-by night ISPs but Kern has been around for yonks, is local and has a good rep. So for me it seems a more logical solution - as good a product for quite a bit cheaper....

Of course that could very well come back to bite me on the arse

zipzap wrote:Thanks for the advice fellas. I'd be happy to go with Internode but they are not competitive price-wise. Their cheapest home ADSL2 plan is $60 a month, more than I want to spend.

Wedgie, just curious - Kern charge only $60 pm for 40gb download on ADSL2. Why would you pay $20 more?

Yeah, as Diss said, its not just price, I was happy to be on a $50 plan on ADSL2 but am more than happy to pay a little more to be with Internode, connection has not dropped out once, service has been fantatsitc and the moving between plans is awesome when you're getting close to a limit.
Ive been with TPG, Iprimus and a few others and will never leave Internode (unless they fall in a hole).
I can also take my lap top into work and get free access by wireless protocol.

To tell the truth dude Ive never even heard of Kern, if Im going to enter into a contract I'd at least want to have heard of the company.

Appreciate the help

Christ, ADSL2 is like drugs, you become addicted to it!
I only planned to occasionaly go up to 40gb for a month but this is my 3rd month in a row.
To make matters worse I got an email today advising I've already hit 80% (32gig) of my download limit for this month and its only 9 days old!

Wedgie ..Have been hanging out at the porn sites again

Wedgie wrote:To tell the truth dude Ive never even heard of Kern, if Im going to enter into a contract I'd at least want to have heard of the company.

Kern Technology, in Stepney I think, started out as a wholesale maker of good quality hardware - particularly mobos, and gradually moved into ISP services during the mid 1990s. I used to deal with them before I moved to Victoria at the end of 1998.

I would expect them to be reliable, but their site seems to be down today!

Christ, just upped this months plan to a 80 gig plan.

That's insane widget! I struggle to get to 5gb per month most of the time - never went over 9 when I had the 20gb plan with TPG (the one they shafted their customers with - I reckon you know the one!). You must have either the biggest porn collection in Adelaide or have so many TV shows/Movies to watch that you need a few months to catch up on them all.

smac wrote:That's insane widget! I struggle to get to 5gb per month most of the time - never went over 9 when I had the 20gb plan with TPG (the one they shafted their customers with - I reckon you know the one!). You must have either the biggest porn collection in Adelaide or have so many TV shows/Movies to watch that you need a few months to catch up on them all.

Sad part about it is I haven't downloaded any porn for 5 or 6 months. My old man is very dirty on me as he's waiting for more!

PS2 games and movies for the missus is what kills my limits!

smac wrote:That's insane widget! I struggle to get to 5gb per month most of the time - never went over 9 when I had the 20gb plan with TPG (the one they shafted their customers with - I reckon you know the one!). You must have either the biggest porn collection in Adelaide or have so many TV shows/Movies to watch that you need a few months to catch up on them all.

struggle?
I downloaded the first season of 24 (9 gig) in a few days

Ah, forgot about full seasons of shows - I usually am only after 1 or 2 shows that are on and grab them episode by episode. I guess the fact I only have a 20gb hard drive on the laptop I use for downloading limits me a little too.

smac wrote:Ah, forgot about full seasons of shows - I usually am only after 1 or 2 shows that are on and grab them episode by episode. I guess the fact I only have a 20gb hard drive on the laptop I use for downloading limits me a little too.

For now ..