ADSL2+ Internet

What was ADSL2+ internet? 

ADSL2+ (asymmetric digital subscriber line) was a type of broadband internet and DSL technology. It used the same copper wires your telephone line did but you, thankfully, could use both the Internet and the phone at once. 

Additionally, it was a step up from original ADSL. You could get faster internet speeds, thanks to a wider frequency range. 

How fast were ADSL2+ plans? 

Speaking of speed, you won’t exactly need to hold onto your hat when you discover how fast ADSL2+ could be. In ideal conditions — that’s not too far from your connection to the local exchange and with copper lines that are in good nick — ADSL2+ boasted download speeds of 24 Mbps and upload speeds of 2 Mbps. For context, simple web browsing or streaming a movie uses about 15 Mbps, and only goes up if you do more on the Internet at the same time, like streaming videos on multiple devices at once.  

What equipment did ADSL2+ use? 

As mentioned before, ADSL2+ used the same copper lines telephone services did. This meant all you had to do was plug a compatible modem into your telephone plug to set up your wi-fi or connect your computer to the internet. 

Can I still get an ADSL2+ plan? 

Theoretically, you could still get an ADSL2+ connection and plan in the era of the NBN (National Broadband Network), but you would also need a few stars to line up for that to happen. For instance, you’d have to have a standard landline phone connection still and NBN couldn’t be available in your area. Alternatively, you may be able to request it from Telstra (they’re the ones looking after the remaining ADSL2+ connections) but there’s no guarantee they’ll grant it. You might have more luck though if you’re in a small rural area. 

While you mightn’t be able to get an ADSL2+ plan, you can still get an Internet connection. You’ll just need to get on board the NBN. There’s a range of connection types, plans and speeds to suit plenty of Internet usage styles. For instance, at the lower end of the NBN there’s Fixed Wireless or Sky Muster. Both tend to be available in rural locations and have theoretical download speeds faster than anything ADSL2+ ever offered. (Of course, your chosen plan and other factors can affect the speeds you actually get).

Helpful tip

There’s lots of NBN plans on the market; the trick is knowing how to compare them so you can find one that offers you great value. You might want to think about how you use the internet, like if you’re regularly working from home or just watching the odd Netflix stream, to help you get a handle on the speed you want.

Why did ADSL2+ services get switched off? 

ADSL2+ is going the same way as the dinosaurs because the NBN has come to town. The tech that made ADSL2+ work is either gone or being disconnected, and replaced with faster and more reliable NBN options.  

Luckily, it’s pretty easy to make the switch from ADSL2+ to NBN. All you need to do is get in touch with your Internet provider and ask to get on the NBN (this’ll likely mean picking a new internet plan). They’ll make sure you can get connected and then it’s simply a matter of plugging in your modem. 

Where can I find and compare NBN internet plans? 

There might be comfort in the familiar but there’s no sense in clinging onto a sinking ship either. ADSL2+ has done its dash and we’re well and truly in the NBN era. So, if you’re ready to see just how far Internet tech has come, you can start comparing a range of NBN internet plans from different providers online today. iSelect, with the help of CIMET, makes it easy to weigh up plans and pick the one that gives you better value.