Monday, January 5. 2009New Year - New Exetel 'Era'?John Linton The first five years of Exetel's existence are over and today we start implementing the significantly revised operating plan which includes several new 'directions' and very new ways of operating the overall business. In fact we have already started to implement some of the plans and to make some of the required organizational changes.(if that grandiose phrase can be applied to a company of 40 people). We will also finalize most of the new plans for business users we have been working on over the past ten days. Perhaps it's my strange personality but I always feel 're-energized' and more optimistic when starting 'new years' or even 'new financial years' - perhaps it appeals to my sense of 'neatness'? Yesterday we raised the ADSL1 activation charge to continue to slow the receipt of new ADSL1 applications and today we will begin the process of moving some 8,000 ADSL1 users to AAPT ADSL2 at the same prices they are currently paying for their current ADSL1 plans - this should make the people on 256/64 ADSL1 and 512/128 ADSL1 plans really happy. If this process goes smoothly we will increase the new user ADSL1 activation charge further and then phase out offering ADSL1 to new users before the end of the current financial year. Today we will also increase the activation charges for all ADSL2 new users from the December promotional charge of zero to a fairly innocuous $40.00. For Exetel users who are changing from ADSL1 to ADSL2 it will, obviously, remain at zero. We will also start the 'persuasion campaign' to move another 13,000 ADSL1 users to the Optus ADSL2 plans and see if we can overcome the problem of people wanting to keep their telephone line rental and call charges with their current provider (Goodness knows why, but some considerable number of people seem to think this is important). We have had some successes with this migration over the past few months but not nearly enough and we need to find the 'magic' words to actually make this happen. I have run out of ideas. We will aim to complete this program of moving up to 20,000 ADSL1 to ADSL2 by April 30th 2009 - though that is probably a little optimistic and the more likely time frame is going to be closer to June/July. Of course, all time frames are dependent on Telstra's decisions, if any, on the ongoing provision of ADSL1 services in exchanges that are ADSL2 equipped and also the pricing of ADSL1 services. As we have zero knowledge of those possible scenarios we can only base our own plans on assumptions. We will also start the process of moving a further 10,000 256/64 and 512/128 low usage ADSL1 customers who aren't on ADSL2 enabled exchanges to HSPA services - assuming that there is coverage then these users would get the benefit of 4+ times the speeds of their 256/64 service at approximately 2/3 of the costs they currently pay plus the opportunity of getting rid of the telephone line rental should they wish to do that. You would have to think such a move would be very appealing but there is an innate conservatism at that end of the market that is hard to get past. We will have to try much harder. If these programs are successful they will result in moving 75% or so of all current ADSL1 services to faster infrastructure at less cost to the end user (and less cost to Exetel) - everybody wins. That's the theory and the plan. If it's successful then the end would be at least in sight of no longer being 'controlled' by Telstra and it would also be nice to get our million dollar bond back and use it more usefully rather than the 'dead' money it currently is. We will continue to interview to create three sales teams to market Exetel's products and services to three different marketplaces and will begin the 'set up' work to make the services 'known' to prospective buyers by the start of next week. This is 'new ground' for Exetel and will therefore, in very different ways, be more difficult than migrating 30,000 ADSL1 users. We have never had any real sales presence other than to respond to telephone and email enquiries so building the equivalent of another Exetel (40 sales people) is going to be an interesting exercise. All in all it will be a pretty busy week operationally but, one of the many advantages of automated systems the 'physical' work can be accomplished by a few key strokes. The main work is in dealing with the customer queries and the provisioning 'glitches' that may occur. However we have extensively 'tested' these processes over the past few weeks and are relatively confident that the systems in place can cope with the planned increased volumes. Time will tell, but if there are any issues we will slow/stop the process until they are resolved. Our other key program over the coming months is to increase our HSPA sales from a few hundred a month to 3,000 a month by May. This will not necessarily be much more difficult but it will require us to reach new markets and put in place new programs that we haven't used for over five years and we therefore have no current knowledge of how to make this happen in any current detail. It will be exciting. So a new year and a 'raft' of new challenges and opportunities. Does life get any better - even without the smell of napalm in the morning? Trackbacks
Trackback specific URI for this entry
No Trackbacks
Comments
Display comments as
(Linear | Threaded)
Staying with the current telephone provider is important at my parents house because... well they are my parents and change blows their minds. I only keep an adsl1 account there for my little brother, who used less than 2 gigs of data last month, so I guess I could put him on either adsl2 or HSPA. Since my brother is thick when It comes to computers it would have to be an easy and seamless process. I am 1.5 hours drive away and I can't provide onsite support.
I am on the Wyong exchange and the only adsl2 provider up here is Telstra, so its only adsl1 for me. Comment (1)
I think it will be quite 'seamless'.
You just plug the USB 'stick' in the USB slot, wait a couple of minutes and then click on the item that is auto loaded to the desk top. Then click 'connect' and that's all there is to do. Comments (17)
John,
I pay for my mother-in-law's Exetel ADSL1. The reason I have not moved her to a combined Exetel data and voice package on ADSL2 is that as a pensioner, Telstra give her a better deal that Exetel can. Comment (1)
I can understand that.
Can you give me the exact pricing (line and major call charges) so I can look at what might be able to be done? Comments (17)
John,
She gets a $12.25 discount on "Homeline Plus", so her line rental is effectively $17.70. Call charges are as per standard Homeline Plus rates: http://www.telstra.com.au/homephone/plans/homeline_plus.html If you have any further questions please feel free to e-mail me, as I don't get any notification should you reply via this comment. Comment (1)
I purchased a HSPA service for my parents for Christmas, but they also mentioned pensioner discounts for landline (and they aren't quite ready to move all their services to mobile yet).
Unfortunately, I have an ongoing support ticket open for the HSPA service. Access speeds vary between sub-dialup and ~2mbit (Region 1 area). They'd be quite happy with a full-speed stable 56-256 kbit connection. Assuming the issues are resolved, their $30-40/month ADSL cost will lower to $6-18/month for HSPA (based on their usage data). Once they exclusively utilise their Mobile (and perhaps VoIP through their computer) they'll save another $20-30 (without pensioners discount) on landline rental. For a large user demographic, I'd like to see Exetel offer 3G+VoIP ATA routers. This makes using VoIP over HSPA a simple process (rather than needing a computer powered on, as Exetel's current HSPA modems are USB powered). These routers either take the sim card internally, or take an existing USB HSPA modem. 3G Routers with ADSL2 functionality built-in make a very nice fail-over backup for when ADSL services go down. This demographic is quite happy to commit to long contracts - as they are unlikely to move and even so - the HSPA service is mobile covering ~92% of Australia. (Exetel's break fees are typically slightly more than the cost of the HSPA modem, making resale at a small loss to the end-user quite acceptable). I'd like to know what discounts Telstra (and the government rebates) offer pensioners as I haven't looked into these discounts yet. Perhaps these rebates are also available to HSPA/Mobile services? Comment (1)
Thank you for the suggestions.
Please send the ticket number to: jamesd@exetel.com.au for him to find a solution for you - it sounds like 'spectrum flipping'. Comments (17)
+1 vote for the below:
(I'd consider moving my parents off Exetel (Telstra ADSL1) if this was offered.) For a large user demographic, I'd like to see Exetel offer 3G+VoIP ATA routers. This makes using VoIP over HSPA a simple process (rather than needing a computer powered on, as Exetel's current HSPA modems are USB powered). These routers either take the sim card internally, or take an existing USB HSPA modem. Comment (1)
Hi John,
I have been watching the development of HSPA from Exetel. I have been with Exetel since March 2004 (one of the early birds!). I have already got one M1-HA for my wife and used it when we were away and it worked flawlessly. I would change to HSPA totally when I get my hardware sorted. Here is what I have got at the moment: ADSL modem/router (Netcomm) + VOIP (SPA3102) + two desktops + 1 laptop. My main concern is the VOIP, so if you can come up with a low cost set-up for VOIP I will switch to HSPA and cancel land-line in a heartbeat. Cheers, Mo Comment (1)
Thank you for your support over all those years - I really appreciate it.
We are working out the final details of the 'offer' over the next few days. Comments (17)
One problem i find with ADSL2 provided by Exetel is that you don't have access to providing uninterleaved connections. Possibly some people are continuing to use ADSL1 as it is uninterleaved and far cheaper than going to iinet or internode.
For your very avid gamer, ping matters much more then download speed. Apparently i was lucky in that my Powertel provided ADSL2+ connection was uninterleaved (and impressively stable) - http://forum.exetel.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=226&t=30218 Though, saving every cent for a trip overseas after my graduation is more important, so ill be sticking with my Naked plan. Comments (2)
I'm an avid gamer too, and a 40ms ping makes bugger all difference - i'm able to play TF2 (well) with a 90ms ping (when testing a HSPA modem).
Comment (1)
I don't even know what interleaved is, but when I try gaming on my Exetel/Optus ADSL2 connection I consistently have some ofthe lowest pings on the australian servers - around 40ms reported in-game.
Comment (1)
Clearly we have different views of what an avid gamer is.
I do believe that 40ms is perfectly fine for most cases. But clearly you are not on the same competitive level I am referring to. We obviously have different views on this subject, and I have already agreed to disagree, by acknowledging your side of the argument as perfectly sane. My point really is that Exetel would be able to pull more value customers (customers that don't download truck loads of data) if they could provide uninterleaved connections. It may only be a very small proportion of the customers that want such a connection, but I all too often see gamers running to internode because of this option (whether they really need it or not). Since Exetel lease ports from wholesalers, it’s probably more trouble than it’s worth and I just thought it might be worth mentioning as a reason why people might stick to ADSL1. Andrew, as a side, on the servers I participate in, the general reported netgraph pings are sub 15ms. Again, this is a ridiculously competitive environment, with people involved that have represented Australia in overseas tournaments. Comments (2)
Hi John,
Is there any outlook for ADSL2 for little old Tasmania? My house somehow sits in a Vodafone blackhole (no 3G connection for iPhones etc), would this affect HSPA? I'm assuming HSPA will be offered in Tasmania? Thanks! Comment (1)
We are promised a 'start date' by Aurora to be confirmed later in january.
HSPA is available in Tasmania on the Optus network now. Comments (17)
I believe Vodaphone only have one 3g Tower in the state and that's down near Kingston.
And either way once the backhall issue is sorted in Tassie would any providers actually have plans to be installing dslams anyway? Comments (2)
Hi John, in reference to -"persuasion campaign' to move another 13,000 ADSL1 users to the Optus ADSL2 plans".
I have been with exetel for 2 years and baulk at moving to the optus adsl2 plans - beacause of the current requirement of having to sign a new 12 month contract. I would like to move to the PTL C plan but because I live in a flat - 12 months is too risky. If it was monthly like I am currently - no problem. -thanks for listening. Comments (2)
There never has been a need for an extension of the contract on the 'offers' that we have made in the past.
Comments (17)
John, the Exetel offer has been made.
0$ cost to move to adsl 2 -good. But the 12 months contract/$100 early termination fee now applies. This is the part that stops me. Current Plan Type: TL-BB As a current ADSL1 customer there is a new 12 month contract period on the ANYPHONE plan! Comments (2)
Current ADSL1 Exetel customers have never been required to enter in to a new contract when changing to an Optus ADSL2 plan nor now to an AAPT ADSL2 plan.
I've asked the sysadmin responsible to check the UF text to eliminate any such condition. Comments (17)
The main problem holding most of the ADSL 1 customers I know back from HSPA is setup cost. Most have multiple computers and use VOIP.
The current setup cost for an ADSL modem that does this is $150 While to setup a similar system with HSPA costs $445 Huawei E169 $195 Netcomm N3G002W $175 Netcomm ATA $75 If you can get an all in one unit for under $300 I think you'll get a lot more people making the shift. But as is, everyone I've offed it to has said it's too much up front. Comments (2)
Billion have some devices that roll all that together, but they're currently also ADSL2+ devices. They work fine with HSPA as the only connectivity option, but it adds to the price (which is possibly more than the cost quoted in the parent, plus HSPA modem!!).
Perhaps the answer is a little counter intuitive. Netcomm N3G002W or similar + 802.11g VoIP handset? Possibly do-able at a similar cost, but has a bit more of an attraction to it in terms of feature set for some people. Comment (1)
Thank you for the suggestion - I'll check it out.
Our current preferred solution is an as yet unreleased Netcomm box but its target price is much too high at the moment. Comments (17)
Currently the only option for ADSL 1 customers in the user facilities is to change to the optus plans. Are the AAPT planes going to be added soon?
Comments (2)
I am a happy Exetel user of just on three years. I also use VoIP for all my outgoing calls (but not through Exetel).
> overcome the problem of people wanting > to keep their telephone line rental > and call charges with their current > provider (Goodness knows why, but some > considerable number of people seem to > think this is important The moment you tell me I can keep my landline phone number, I'd gladly give up the landline. Comment (1)
We continue to work on it but have made no progress.
Comments (17)
Hi John,
I'm also with Mitch on this one. The moment Exetel offer porting my parents and grandparents phone numbers is the moment that I'll put them on the HSPA connections. My parents have a second phone number for a social club the run. Telstra offer the two numbers on the one line service, so porting that number is also important to them. I agree it is rediculous though, they're paying $100/mo for the 'ultimate' Telstra package per month for unlimited calls (not to mobiles obviously). Comment (1)
Hi John,
I am on a rural exchange that only offers telstra ADSL2.I use about 10GB on ADSL1 a month and is very happy with your service.What are your plans for users like me who cannot switch to ADSL2 with you. Cheers Grant Comment (1)
HSPA will, in the not too distant future, be able to meet that sort of user profile need.
Comments (17)
In reply to:
We will also start the 'persuasion campaign' to move another 13,000 ADSL1 users to the Optus ADSL2 plans and see if we can overcome the problem of people wanting to keep their telephone line rental and call charges with their current provider (Goodness knows why, but some considerable number of people seem to think this is important). For me to consider such a move you need to over come these four issues: 1. Landline number portability. 2. Recovery time for past and future setup/changeover costs. 3. The relative ease of changing ADSL provider (should that be necessary) when remaining on a Telstra ADSL connection. 4. Lack of customer education when it comes to newer technology choices. I myself work in IT and have little issue with setup of a basic ADSL service but that is the extent of my experience and expertise (I'm sure this level of expertise is typical). I read occasional posts of the hassles people have at times when switching such as having to reconnect to Telstra temporailiy to undertake a provider change. Whilst the process is prone to risk and the user knowledge base is minimal you need to educate your customers if you want to get people to change. I have Telstra budget, ADSL and 3 x mobile with Exetel and MNF for VoIP. For me to change you'd need to address most all the items I list above (assuming they're valid reasons; who knows). Comments (2)
And just a quick follow up to my last as I've just now checked email and I have the ADSL1 to ADSL2 offer.
I'm paying $21 line rental and $40 ADSL ($61 total). I don't need more quota or speed at this stage. Your offer would cost me $30 line rental and $40 ADSL2 ($70). So I'm worse off. In fact, the offer appears to be more expensive even than changing to INC2DSLA via the member facilities. That's not going to help the take up rate. Is there a mistake in my calculations? Comments (2)
The offer is to change your current plan to ADSL2 speeds at the same price you are paying today for your ADSL2 plan.
So you are correct that if you are paying $21.00 for the telephone line then you would be worse off by $9.00 (less the savings of the much cheaper calls if you make any). In terms of being better off with another current ADSL2 plan - if that's the case then you can always change plans once you are on ADSL2. Comments (17)
I don't suppose this migration offer extends to people plagued by a Telstra owned RIM does it??
Comment (1)
Hi John,
I've been with Exetel for 3 years, through 3 moves, about to be 4! I live in Regional Vic, and have no choice for ADSL2. It sounds to me like Exetel will be removing themselves from the ADSL1 market - which makes me sad. I'm currently on an 8mbit plan, paying $65, but likely to keep plan in my relocation in the next day or so, so upping to $75/month. I sadly don't see an HSPA service meeting my needs OR location, so face the prospect of internet without Exetel. I would be disappointed by this. I did, for a time, receive a loyalty bonus. I get many value-added services through exetel, such as VOIP and Fax to/from email, SMS, that I would hate to leave. I hope, that in your plans to reduce telstra dependence, which I understand, you allow for users such as myself. Adrian. Comment (1)
It will never be our choice that we stop providing ADSL1 - we think there's some chance that Telstra will make it difficult/impossible for anyone but them to offer ADSL1 at some future time.
Comments (17)
|
Calendar
QuicksearchArchivesCategoriesBlog AdministrationExternal PHP Application |