John Linton
When Exetel signed the variation agreement to add the 8192/384 service to the schedule in October 2006 Telstra also added in stronger disclaimer clauses regarding 'fair use' and related issues.
This resulted in Telstra sending notices like this to Exetel:
"To maintain network performance we have had to temporarily slow the following End User access
services to below the maximum achievable speed. Whilst this action is
regretted, it is permitted under clause 4.2 of the Telstra Wholesale DSL
Internet Grade Service End User Interface Specification."
Shortly after the first 8192/384 Exetel customers were connected, Telstra advised of issues with a number of exchanges in early December 2006 that resulted in very slow speeds for 8192/384 and 1500/256 connections for a two month period. These were eventually resolved in early February 2007. Over the past 6 or so weeks there appears to be a repeat of these issues in an increasing number of exchanges and, again, Telstra are advising of restrictions under the 'fair usage' clauses of the supply contract - this time customers at all speeds are being affected.
Exetel has registered the fact that ADSL2 and 8192/384 users need far more bandwidth in peak times (oh really? you say) but the actual increases have surprised us in that they are almost double what we thought they would be. It seems, at least to me, that Telstra have been similarly surprised at the level of increased demand and have reacted accordingly. I've always held Telstra's network provisioning in the highest regard but it seems, at least to me, that the overall Telstra ADSL backhauls are under severe strain and have been since Telstra released the 8192/384 speeds and started to provide ADSL2 to BigPond customers at around the same time.
I have absolutely zero knowlwdge of the Telstra network provisioning capacities nor the preferred Telstra directions moving forward in terms of where their own best interests will be served in increasing the bandwidth backhauls on their ADSL network versus pushing forward with a non-ADSL solution they are required to wholesale to companies like Exetel. Looking at the only aspects I can seee - the apparent slowdowns on individual exchanges around the country - it appears to me that Telstra are changing their previous provisioning processes/plans.
Alternatively, and with zero information, maybe the infrastructure inherited by the new Telstra senior management has truly run out of cost effective upgradability and they will pursue their fibre and GSM product offerings relying on BigPond and their Wholesale customer's customers to continue to move off the old ADSL1 network?
Something always seems to spoil my sundays - anyway its time to go to my father's Day lunch so I'll worry about it tomorrow.