Introduction.

While working and repairing computers for customers in Point Cook, I was amazed to find that many people have been left with a limited choice of broadband connection options.

Most households are stuck with Telstra, paying for an overpriced wireless service on NextG (around $50 for 1 gigabyte!) or a very basic ADSL package.

Recently moving to the area myself, I spent a great deal of time researching what services are available in the suburb, and why Point Cook seems to be at a disadvantage to many other suburbs in the region.

The information below is only to be used as a guide to see how likely you are to get broadband from another provider. If all signs seem good, then you may be one of the lucky ones.

The problems.

The telephone exchange in Point Cook is out of floor space, meaning there is no physical room inside for Internet providers to set up their cabinets. Providers can set up their equipment outside the exchange, however some do not do this for various reasons.

Many of the streets use whats know as a RIM system. RIM’S prevent ADSL2 from being available.

Most of the ports (again depending on what street you are in) have been taken, or Telstra has not made wholesale ports available for other providers.

How to find out if other providers may be available.

This link will direct you to a map with coloured dots that signify how many ports for your street or area are available. A GREEN dot means there is more than 24 ports available, A RED dot means there is no ports available and A PURPLE dot means that the street is more likely to be connected to a RIM system and there is unknown ports remaining. Zoom in and find your street, you may be lucky enough to have a green dot, but as you can see most are purple

To find out what DA (Distribution Area) you are in, please download This Link and search for your street name (or find the closest street). Then once you know your DA, the table below will show how many ports are available.

The table below is from Telstra wholesale from 11-feb-2009.

Other Providers

If your DA has no ports remaining, it is still worth ringing other providers to make sure.

I recommend iPrimus, TPG or Exetel. I have Exetel myself and had no problems and get good speeds (my street has a green dot).

It is well worth moving from Telstra if you can. They are overpriced (what costs $50 per month on Exetel costs around $80 on Telstra)

Further information is available from Tel$tra

Please post below if you have any corrections, comments, or would like to contribute your experiences in Point Cook and Seabrook with ADSL and broadband.