One of the reasons the Federal Labor Government’s decided to invest in a FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) National Broadband Network was the poor state and limited capacity of the existing network infrastructure. The broadband blocking/inhibiting effects of network technology collectively called pair gain systems means that there will always be a percentage of internet users to whom an ADSL service can’t be provided.
For a decade now I have sought information from Telstra about their use of pair gain systems and the impact on consumers and businesses around Australia. In addition, the 2004 Senate Inquiry into the Australian Telecommunications Network explored (with Telstra providing evidence) the extensive use of pair gain systems. All in all, there were about 1.2 million pair gain services, with over 800,000 of these through a type of large pair gain system called a RIM (remote integrated multiplexer)
But finding out where these pair systems are exactly can be quite a challenge. Quite often it was only through specific complaints from individual households or businesses that the presence of a small pair gain system was identified. Gradually, more and more information came to light about where pair gain systems were located and how they limited broadband speeds and availability.
The online broadband forum ‘Whirlpool’ has also contributed in a major way to solving the many frustrating ‘mysteries’ of the existing copper network over many years.
With Telstra now fully privatised, there is no longer an opportunity to ask questions directly to the company through the Senate Budget Estimates process. Telstra had an obligation to appear and provide truthful answers whilst ever they were partially government-owned. These days, Telstra appear from time to time as part of other Parliamentary inquiries, such as the one held recently on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2009.
Telstra also appeared before the Senate Select Committee Inquiry into the National Broadband Network. The transcript (Hansard) from this hearing is interesting reading regarding Telstra’s use of pair gains systems and ADSL 2+ in exchanges.
I recommend pages 13-15 regarding use of pair gain systems in the network, page 16 re transpositions and pages 17-19 regarding the limitations of ADSL in existing exchanges. Telstra finally acknowledges the well-known limitations and their representative finally stated that less than 50% of customers served by a given exchange can expect to get a reasonable ADSL service.
So how do you find out if your house or business is hampered by a broadband-blocking/inhibiting pair gain system? Usually people find out the hard way. I know many people have done the right thing and rung Telstra in advance of moving house/business and asked if the local exchange is ADSL2+ enabled. The only problem is, it isn’t the right question. Pair gains systems are installed past the exchange, so finding out if your exchange is ADSL2+ enabled is only the first step.
Here is the best site to date for checking the effects of pair gains. These guys use TPG’s Exchange boundary information to illustrate the coverage of the exchanges and then apply a ‘heat’ map which illustrates impaired speeds. You get a feel for where the RIMS are by seeing where the impaired speeds are.
I met with Anthony and Con from ADSL2exchanges.com.au in Sydney last week. They are committed to maintaining and enhancing the adslexchanges.com web site. When it comes to mapping the impact of RIMs, their site works best when people test their line speed and provide the results. I have listed the links for each Canberra exchange together here easy reference.
Their site also invites service providers to list the products available off that exchange, so consumers can get an idea of the different products and pricing on offer in their exchange area.
HALL; BELCONNEN; MELBA; SCULLIN; CRACE; CIVIC; FYSHWICK; DEAKIN; MANUKA; MAWSON; WESTON CREEK; MONASH; KAMBAH; TUGGERANONG; LANYON
This sort of analysis becomes really useful when it really local. I have already blogged about Russell Gillon from Gungahlin’s initiative Broadband in North Canberra website and his “quest for better internet service in Gungahlin”.
I met with Russell the other and was impressed with commitment to technical detail and rigour in analysing the presence of RIMS (check his impressive
He has done some more great work profiling the location of the mini/C-MUX (RIMs). I urge people with an interest in understanding the physical network constraints to have a good look at his web page. Russ is a tech that has a knack for explaining stuff in plain English!
The speedtest underpins his analysis. This checks the download and upload speed of your connection instantly. As a Downer resident I am able to connect through Transact, and so I did a speedtest for myself.
As you can see there is a lot that can be explained about poor speeds and lack of service by understanding the physical network. Needless to say Gungahlin and pockets all over Canberra offer an insight to the problems experienced by people all over Australia. The continued installation of them by Telstra despite the choking effect they have on the availability of broadband is a disgrace.
Bring on the NBN, I say.
By the way, Telstra’s web site doesn’t have maps, you have to put a number in. I put my number in and according to the Telstra web site, ADSL is through the Telstra copper network for my home address in North Canberra. The Telstra website had this to say:
Unfortunately, broadband isn’t available at your address right now. The following broadband option(s) is/are not available for:(my number here). check another address The following broadband option(s) is/are not available: ADSL – standard broadband close info Why can’t I get BigPond ADSL Broadband?
- 1. The common reason that people can’t get ADSL is because ADSL isn’t available at your local telephone exchange, or you live too far from the exchange.
- 2. Your phone line may be supporting services that interfere with ADSL. The most common examples are alarms and wall phones.
- 3. There’s no ‘clean copper path’ connecting your phone and your local exchange.
I am figuring “no clean copper path” is a euphemism for a pair gain or attenuation/noise constraints. I suspect the second point may also be a reference to a small 1 by 2 pair gain at the home that has the effect of providing two dial tones of the same copper pair. These were used for faxes and alarms where another ‘service’ (read ‘dial tone’) was required. These ‘split’ the existing copper pair at the home, rather than install another complete copper pair. Note full line rental was still charged for each dial tine, or ‘split’ line.
I really encourage people to help Russ compile a good picture of what is happening here in Canberra through his web site – just to remind you Broadband in North Canberra website, and please leave your thoought and comments here too.
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That’s great Kate,
Keep up the pressure on the fixed pipes. But we still need to look at the other (possibly the primary) form of delivery = wireless, either from a fixed site or via mobile towers. We have a habit of considering our phones and IP stuff separately but once the poker game between Google AT&T and Apple is over we can forget that. http://www.cultofmac.com/apple-to-fcc-google-voice-undermines-iphones-phone/14942
What is a ‘naked’ product for ISP’s becomes irrelevant when one doesn’t need Telstra’s exchanges. Bandwidth might not be as great (at this stage), but bandwidth (costs) are an evolution, not a revolution. Their are new technologies coming out of labs than I can keep up with. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-Speed_Downlink_Packet_Access
Perhaps its time to consider a comparison between fixed line and mobile interconnection costs. I think you’ll find it’s very different. Just do a goggle on ‘cell phone interconnect fees’.
If you want to put the cat amongst the gorilla (it’s no pidgeon) then when you’re discussing how the NBN can help open things up, suggest this kind of approach to all carriers. http://www.bankers.asn.au/Default.aspx?ArticleID=408&PrintFriendly=True
Might improve your leverage:) Even the Australian might run a story.
i have just recently found your blogs and would like to thank you for your interest in the pair gained wire issues. i recently have been “blessed” with such and issue, (moving just 3 km from my previous address in the same townto a new estate…being told yes adsl is availble then after numerous calls telstra/bigpond, telecom ombudsman, local MP, back to bigpond and the pair gained outcome, i am left very disillusioned. i am on the current waiting list and now hope that cable will arrive…(living rurally i dont expect his to happend for quiet a while)
so just wanted to say thanks again
Kate,
Its great that you are taking an active interest in the issue of broadband service in North Canberra. One of the key issues for me is the growing trend of using / selling TransAct only services in newer suburbs like Forde and Crace.
Now Telstra may have its faults but by denying Canberrans access to copper wire effectively creates TransAct only zones – a very uncompetitive move given that TransAct’s pricing is 2-3 times that of comparable ADSL2+ services using Telstra and other ISPs (like Internode and iinet).
It seems that the ACT Government and some land developers are taking the view that TransAct and it’s FTTP technology is somehow superior…well in a technology sense it is but as a means of providing affordable high-speed internet access it is not. You need only scan whirlpool to see that I am not alone in this.
Its fine to take pride in our local communications provider but the operating model and pricing is dampening consumer choice and could very well violate the restriction of trade safeguards we have under Commonwealth law.
Is there anything we can do to make sure Canberra (particularly in Forde and Crace) continue to have a choice in which ISP / infrastructure provider suits them?
Again thanks for taking such a personal interest in this.
Unfortunately I have also discovered my new home is on a pair gain system. I feel very disapointed as I am a pensioner with 2 small children who require the internet for school. I to am a University student and now feel disadvantaged and discriminated against, as I cannot afford the $119 a month quoted by telstra for wireless internet. I need help but there seems to be none available. I feel that telstra do this deliberatly to save money, that is what optus told me.
Kate, I hope you continue on fighting for this. I live 6kms from Adelaide CBD and couldn’t get a broadband service, talked to Telstra/Bigpond, Adam, Internode, iiNet already but they couldn’t do anything cause im in a pair gain system. Now how ridiculous is that?
Hi, Kate
I am in Garran and have just found out that I am on Pair Gain (probably Telstra’s way to save money running lines to the apartments and charging for supplying a “full” service), hence my ADSL2 move is now being reverted to ADSL1, if that. It is not just a North Canberra problem
HI, I AM RESIDENT OF SYDNEY METROPOLITAN, POST CODE 2170, CASULA, IT HAS BEEN NOW 5 YEARS THAT I AM TRYING TO GET BROADBAND, ADSL OR ADSL2 , BUT FAILED FOR ONE REASON , TELSTRA PAIR GAIN CONNECTIONS TO MY HOUSE & THE REST OF MY STREET.
I AM A DOCTOR, I AM NOT A LOW VOLTAGE EXPERT / ENGINEER, BUT I DO UNDERSTAND ONE CLEAR FACT, PAIR GAIN TECHNOLOGY USAGE BY TELSTRA AS SOLE INFRASTRUCTURE OWNER , PERMITTED THEM TO SELL ME & OTHERS A LAND LINE, PERMITTED THEM TO CHARGE ME A FULL PRICE FOR MY LINE, WHEN I WAS WITH THEM , THEN TO MY CURRENT PROVIDER AS A SUBCONTRACTOR.
THEY SPLIT ONE PHYSICAL COPPER LINE , SUBDIVIDING IT , TO MANY , 2, 3 MAY BE 5, THEN RESELL IT FULL TARIFF.
THIS IS, NOT ONLY DECEPTION, FRAUD, & COMMERCIAL MONPOLY, BUT IT IS AN INTENTIONAL DEPRIVATION OF ELEMENTARY RIGHTS TO ACCSESS A SERVICE ( ADSL)
, LEAVING ME & OTHERS WITH THE ONLY OPTION OF WIRELESS OR MOBILE INTERNET, BOTH EXPENSIVE & SLOW UNRELIABLE SERVICES.
CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHO TO COMPLAIN YO, AS TELSTRA IS ABOVE ANY LAW IN AUSTRALIA.
Well said Joseph….
Why will telstra never upgrade their Rims to support ADSl 2, as currently they make money selling ADSL 1 to ISP’s. If i could move to ADSL with my provider they would get nothing.
Speaking to telstra this morning I was told, just wait for the NBN to be rolled out…..as we will not be upgrading your exchange…..
I agree with Joseph as well. I can’t get anything but Telstra cable and although that is better than wireless or mobile I am still limited to expensive plans with limited downloads. Telstra’s upload speeds are also appalling.
I think when the NBN is rolled out Telstra will lose customers who will then have a choice of providers.
Hi all,
Just letting you know that for those of you dealing with Pair Gains/RIM issues in the Gungahlin area, we have put up a fact sheet about the early NBN rollout to the Gungahlin area. It’d be well worth you engaging in the public consultations that will be kicked off in the near future in collaboration with NBN Co and the Gungahlin Community Council.
http://www.katelundy.com.au/2010/07/14/fact-sheet-about-the-early-nbn-rollout-to-gungahlin/
Also, Gungahlin Community Council are having a meeting tonight where a senior Telstra person will be responding to community concerns:
http://www.gcc.asn.au/Meetings-notices/Meeting-notices/july-2010-meeting.html
Cheers,
Pia Waugh
ICT Policy Advisor
Office of Senator Kate Lundy
The map on the NBN website (http://nbnco.com.au/content/upload/files/Press_Releases/NBNCo_Maps_SecondReleaseSites.pdf), actually shows the “Gungahlin” upgrade extending over the Barton Highway and covering the entire Western Belconnen area from Holt to the northern tips of Gungahlin itself. This is either an error (as it would mean it is upgrading both the Gungahlin and Melba exchanges) or it is a wonderful wonderful thing, to those of us on the Melba exchange with Pair Gain system.
Hi Nick, I’ll try to get that clarified from NBN Co, but the specific premises to be included in the initial rollout will be determined through community consultations at any rate, so more information to be posted here on that soon!
Also, reposting the following response to Nick from the “Pair Gain Victims” blog post:
Hi Nick,
Well, Gungahlin is one of the first mainland sites for NBN rollout, and Gungahlin is one of the worst affected RIM/Pair Gains sites in Australia, so I think I can safely say it isn’t going to take 7 years for all pair gains sites
The project is an 8 year project, started a year ago, so there will be places that may take a few years to get upgraded, but such a large project will take time.
I suggest you (and others affected here) write to NBN Co to put forward the case for your area to be prioritised given your relative circumstances. Also, we heard a very good panel earlier this month in Gungahlin where people were asking whether Telstra would continue upgrades to old infrastructure particularly in areas where the NBN wouldn’t be deployed in the short term, and Telstra said they were doing and continuing upgrades, so there is also some opportunity for improvements there, I refer you to the video content here:
http://gcc.asn.au/Meetings-notices/Meeting-videos/video-of-july-2010-meeting.html
Hope that helps clear it up a bit, and I suggest you direct questions to NBN Co for specific implementation timelines and questions.
Cheers,
Pia
ICT Policy Advisor
Office of Senator Lundy
Hello there, I live in Dubbo, 2830 and have used Telstra as ISP for many years. When their customer service dropped we decided to look elsewhere for another provider. We settled with TPG only to find that they cannot offer the same fast service that Telstra could on the same PSTN line.
Who do I take my complaint to as Telstra have an unfair market advantage over all other providers. I can have the fast access speed if I go with Telsta, otherwise it is a more customer focused provider with much slower access speeds?
Hi,
So glad someone cares. My son just started at ANU and is renting with other students in Calwell. He has tried signing up with TPG but has been told the line is pair gained. I called Telstra who say this is not the case.
TPG say they are using the data base supplied by Telstra so some one is wrong.
I’ve asked TPG to call Telstra to inquire about the particular number to see if they are given the same information. It seems to me that the database given to external providers may be incorrect in Telstra’s favour.
Will update comments if I get a response.
I have just stumbled across this site and am blown away. Over the years I have done much research myself as having moved to a remote area for work (when broadband came along) I was frustrated by our abysmal speeds. We also travelled to Adelaide and imagine my surprise when the speeds in my suburb were worse than those in the main street of the remote area (a mining town). So, so many calls later to complain about my speeds and line quality and a few complaints to the TIO (as I was with Optus but Telstra owned the copper so I was being handballed between the two) I finally had a tech tell me we were on pair gain and had an attenution problem. So I just accepted it. Right now we are being provisioned to switch over to Internode. I am hoping it helps but if not at least I know why. So as a last resort I always have the option of a naked service along side the standard connection as I have a monitored alarm. I may have to pay for two connections just to get better speeds. The joys of modern technology running over ancient infrastructure. Hope the NBN isnt antiquated by the time it gets rolled out!
Hi Kate,
thanks for your Blog.
I know I am on a pair gain system, and I asked Telstra if their going to upgrade the lines in the near future, and they said they have know intention to change anything.
So in my case, I can’t get wireless because there is no receiption where I live, and satellite doesn’t offer a lot of GB download allowance. I work part time for the uni where all comunication is via internet. At the moment I have satellite connection and my monthly allowance is 1GB download; for a price equivalent ADSL connection I would get 200GB download allowance with faster speed, if it woulod be available. That means I run out of download allowance often after 1 week, meaning the rest of the month I am back to dial-up speed.
That makes it almost impossible and frustrating doing my job properly.
What does the future hold for people like me who live rural?
Kind Regards
Rudi Gerhardt