G.fast is a speedy, cheap NBN alternative available to tens of thousands of Canberra premises right now. Photo: Infinite Networks.
Occupants of around 88,000 premises in about 70 Canberra suburbs can access a fast, cheap alternative to the National Broadband Network (NBN), although many of them don’t know it.
G.fast is a technology that boosts internet over existing phone lines to fibre-like speeds without the need for new infrastructure.
The technology delivers up to 1000/100 Mbps, significantly faster than the NBN’s top fibre-to-the-node speed of 100/40 Mbps, according to Infinite Networks Managing Director Anthony Bortolotto.
“This will ensure quicker downloads, smoother video streaming and more efficient online activities,” he says.
“Upon launching this service, some customers have reported speed increases of up to 20 times faster than what they had previously.”
The technology is available for select suburbs across Canberra.
Anthony explains that’s because it utilises the existing infrastructure laid down in the early 2000s by TransACT, a company owned by ACTEW, an ACT Government-owned corporation and various private investors, principally Hong Kong-based TVG private equity group.
“That was before the dot com bubble burst and slowed down its full rollout,” he says.
More recently, TPG Telecom and new wholesale provider Vision Network took over the infrastructure in Canberra and invested in a refresh for the old network, unlocking faster-than-NBN feeds.
A map by renowned data scientist and software developer Luke Prior shows where the equipment is, and most premises within 200 metres of the pins can get G.fast.
Anthony says it’s a boon for the eligible addresses, many of which won’t have access to the newer NBN technology any time soon and struggle with sluggish internet in the meantime.
The Infinite Networks team can have your G.fast or NBN connection up and running very quickly, with minimal disruption and unparalleled support before, during and after. Photo: Infinite Networks.
“Every Aussie should have access to fibre NBN, but the fact is the NBN strategy hasn’t been delivered yet. However, these premises have a technology available to them right now and it not only delivers on speed, but also quality,” he says.
One thing to bear in mind is that G.fast speeds can vary based on the cable length from where the equipment is located. But technicians at Infinite Networks, the first company to be certified to connect customers to G.fast technology, have long observed G.fast performances across the suburbs and can quickly gauge what kind of service a household or business can expect.
“If you’re less than 200 metres from the node, you can get the fastest speeds. At longer distances, you can still get better than NBN speeds,” Anthony says.
While pricing is based on the service you select, Anthony says G.fast is also cheaper than the NBN.
“Many customers who had been getting slow speeds and ineffective NBN were told it could cost $5000 to $40,000 to get onto the new technology. With G.fast, they can see a massive uplift in their internet services for a lot less than they’d pay NBN,” Anthony says.
“NBN is legislated by the government to deliver broadband to Australians, but having a real competitor for some 88,000 premises – that competition is good for Canberrans. It puts pressure on NBN to improve and gives people a viable alternative right now.”
For occupants of eligible premises, Infinite Networks can make the switch quickly and quietly. Within a few days of signing up for a plan, you’ll have an appointment for a technician to come to your premises to connect you to the service. Within an hour, you’ll have fast, reliable internet service.
Infinite Networks also provides NBN services in suburbs where it’s available.
“Being a Canberra company, we know these suburbs. We live in them. We would love to help anyone who can access this service.”
To find out if your address is eligible for connection to G.fast, visit Infinite Networks.
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