Broadband Internet access worldwide

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This article details the situation of broadband Internet access around the world.

Contents

[edit] Broadband subscribers in OECD countries

Broadband subscribers per 100 inhabitants, by technology, December 2005 in the OECD. (source)

See also List of countries by broadband users for June 2006 stats

Rank Country DSL Cable Other Total Total subscribers
1 Iceland 25.9 0.1 0.6 26.7 78,017
2 South Korea 13.6 8.3 3.4 25.4 12,190,711
3 Netherlands 15.7 9.6 0.0 25.3 4,113,573
4 Denmark 15.3 7.2 2.5 25.0 1,350,415
5 Switzerland 14.7 8.0 0.4 23.1 1,725,446
6 Finland 19.5 2.8 0.1 22.5 1,174,200
7 Norway 17.8 2.9 1.2 21.9 1,006,766
8 Canada 10.1 10.8 0.1 21.9 6,706,699
9 Sweden 13.3 3.4 3.6 20.3 1,830,000
10 Belgium 11.3 7.0 0.0 18.3 1,902,739
11 Japan 11.3 2.5 3.8 17.6 22,515,091
12 United States 6.5 9.0 1.3 16.8 49,391,060
13 United Kingdom 11.5 4.4 0.0 15.9 9,539,900
14 France 14.3 0.9 0.0 15.2 9,465,600
15 Luxembourg 13.3 1.6 0.0 14.9 67,357
16 Austria 8.1 5.8 0.2 14.1 1,155,000
17 Australia 10.8 2.6 0.4 13.8 2,785,000
18 Germany 12.6 0.3 0.1 13.0 10,706,600
19 Italy 11.3 0.0 0.6 11.9 6,896,696
20 Spain 9.2 2.5 0.1 11.7 4,994,274
21 Portugal 6.6 4.9 0.0 11.5 1,212,034
22 New Zealand 7.3 0.4 0.4 8.1 331,000
23 Ireland 5.0 0.6 1.1 6.7 270,700
24 Czech Republic 3.0 1.4 2.0 6.4 650,000
25 Hungary 4.1 2.1 0.1 6.3 639,505
26 Slovak Republic 2.0 0.4 0.2 2.5 133,900
27 Poland 1.6 0.7 0.1 2.4 897,659
28 Mexico 1.5 0.6 0.0 2.2 2,304,520
29 Turkey 2.1 0.0 0.0 2.1 1,530,000
30 Greece 1.4 0.0 0.0 1.4 155,418
OECD 8.4 4.2 1.0 13.6 157,719,880
Millions of DSL lines by countries at the end of 2005, compared to the previous year
Millions of DSL lines by countries at the end of 2005, compared to the previous year
Worldwide major ADSL operators in number of lines, at the end of the first 2005 half
Worldwide major ADSL operators in number of lines, at the end of the first 2005 half

[edit] Africa

[edit] Angola

Internet access in Angola is provided by MSTelcom, a subsidiary of Sonangol, the national oil company.

[edit] Botswana

Botswana Telecom rolled out ADSL in Botswana in early 2006. Current offerings include:

  • ADSL 256/64 kbps for 187 Pula (~US$28)
  • ADSL 512/128 kbps for 297 Pula (~US$47)
  • ADSL 768/256 kbps for 385 Pula (~US$61) [2]

[edit] Central African Republic

CFA's leading ISP is Socatel.

[edit] Egypt

Broadband Internet access was introduced commercially to Egypt in 2000 as ADSL. The service was offered in select central offices in big cities such as Cairo and Alexandria and gradually spread to cover many more Governorates of Egypt. There are numerous (220 according to regulatory authority numbers) ISP's in Egypt offering ADSL service although only four companies own the infrastructure and they are called class A ISP's (Egynet, Link.net, TE Data, and NOL) which sell to class B ISP's which are 8 major companies which furthermore sells to the rest of the 208 ISP. It is worth mentioning that broadband Internet in Egypt for the home user is still at a very poor level of service mainly due to the communication infrastructure and poorly connected phone lines.

Estimated Number of subscribers: 100,000 according to a statement by Egypt's Communication and Information Technology minister Dr. Tarek Kamel in Ahram newspaper on Sunday 5 March 2006.

[edit] Mauritania

Mauritania has three operators, the original monopoly, Mauritel (now owned by Vivendi's Maroc Telecom, Mattel (owned by Tunisie Telecom and the Chinguitel, which will start operations in December 2006[3].

The country only has around 1000 DSL subscribers, and 3000 internet subscribers in total, out of a population of 2.5 million. Monthly DSL charges are high, around US$95.69 per month.

[edit] Morocco

Operated by Maroc Telecom. The service started as a test in November 2002 before it was launched in October 2003. The service is offered by the subsidiary Menara. It offers the following options:

  • Menara ADSL 256 kbps (around €18)
  • Menara ADSL 512 kbps (around €27)
  • Menara ADSL 1 Mbps (around €36)
  • Menara ADSL 2 Mbps (around €45.50)
  • Menara ADSL 4 Mbps (around €63.50)
  • Menara ADSL2+ 8 Mbps (around €82)
  • Menara ADSL2+ 20 Mbps (around €91)

The installation is free, but the ADSL modem is not always free (only during promotions).

  • Wana, formerly known as "Maroc Connect".

[edit] Namibia

In February 2007, ISP Namibia Mweb began offering broadband wireless services through WiMax, making Namibia the second African country (after Mozambique) to do so.[4]

Telecom Namibia aimed to deploy ADSL technology by the end of 2006.[5]

[edit] South Africa

[edit] ADSL in South Africa

The first package, a 512/256 kbps offering, was introduced in August 2002 by national telecoms monopoly Telkom. Later, in response to growing demand for cheaper ADSL options, two more products were introduced: a mid-range 384/128 kbps offering, and an entry-level 192/64 kbps one. On 1 September 2005 Telkom released its 1 Mbps offering.

Products currently available through Telkom SA:

  • 384/128 kbps for R245 (~ US$34) + ISP costs
  • 512/256 kbps for R362 (~ US$51) + ISP costs
  • 4096/384 kbps for R516 (~ US$73) + ISP costs

Note: In South Africa ADSL charges consist of two parts: the ADSL line rental (as shown above), charged over and above the regular analogue phone line rental (R100 / US$14) and an ISP account. The price of an ISP account can vary greatly, ranging from R72 (~US$10) for a 1 GB hardcapped account to R2800 (US$400) for unshaped / uncapped access with a static IP address. Caps of 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB and 30 GB are also available through various ISPs.

ADSL prices in South Africa have been decreasing steadily ever since the service was introduced. More dramatic price reductions, mostly as result of consumer action through groups like Hellkom and MyADSL, saw Telkom's ADSL subscriber base climb from 50,000 to 100,000 between February and August 2005. Despite occasional price reductions, consumer groups continue to charge that Telkom's ADSL prices are excessive. As of January 2006 Telkom has more than 120,000 ADSL subscribers, with demand still strong.

In late 2006, Telkom commenced with trials for 4 Mbps ADSL. They also began phasing out their 192 kbps offering, upgrading subscribers to 384 kbps at no extra charge.

Commercial Broadband over Power Lines services are imminently to be rolled out in greater Pretoria (municipal region of Tshwane), and may undercut the current ADSL prices by a significant margin. [6]

[edit] Wireless in South Africa

A number of companies offer broadband alternatives. Iburst offer their namesake, while cellular network companies MTN and Vodacom offer EDGE, 3G and HSDPA. Most are more expensive than ADSL offerings for mid-to-high usage, but can be more cost effective if low usage is required.

MTN triggered a mini-price war in late February 2007 [7], with Iburst and Sentech also reducing their prices. Vodacom responded with dramatic price cuts of their own in March. South Africa is in the unusual position of having mobile broadband offerings cheaper than their fixed line alternatives. Its mobile offerings are competitive internationally, while its fixed line offering is extremely expensive.

[edit] Americas

[edit] Argentina

ADSL first appeared in Argentina in 1998, named Speedy by Telefónica, a Spanish company. Fibertel, a cable provider, remains the most popular, but there are several DSL services, including:

  • Speedy, by Telefónica
  • Arnet, by Telecom
  • Flash, by Ciudad Internet.

In 2004, Arnet announced new plans. Controversy ensued, as in small print it mentioned that it was capped to 4 GB monthly. This plans were never put in practice until late 2005, though they were modified from the original announcements. There are no longer any capped plans. They currently offer from 640/128 kbps download/upload to 5 Mbps / 256 kbps (the second highest download rate offered in the country after Fibertel's Fiber6M 6 Mbps / 256 kbps) for home users. The uncapped 5 Mbps plan costs 148 AP (Argentine Pesos), about US$ 48 at the current exchange rate, whereas the 2.5 Mbps /256 kbps plan costs 109 AP or US$ 35. Arnet has been slowly recovering its reputation, which was tarnished amongst connoisseurs due to their 2004 announcement. See: Arnet prices

Both Speedy and Flash have a declining user base, many opting to go the way of Fibertel. Their services are often mentioned to limit P2P download activity. The best connection both ISPs offer is 6 Mbps / 512 kbps.

The tendency has been towards lowering costs to the public, instead of making investments to offer higher speeds.

[edit] Barbados

Globally, the country of Barbados was ranked by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and UNICEF to be be one of the most wired countries in the world on a per capita basis. The report entitled "State Of The World's Children 2007" stated Barbados had rate of Internet usage which was 55 users for every 100 people. This ranking meant that only 13 nations: Australia, Canada, Finland, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, San Marino, Singapore, Sweden, Britain and the United States had a higher ratios per head of population. In so scoring this placed Barbados in the lead for the Caribbean and Latin America regions. For telephone service for the period 2000-2004, Barbados had 124 telephones in usage for every 100 people. Barbados 'well wired' - Thursday, 27 December, 2006: Barbados Daily Nation Newspaper

Telephone services in Barbados are provided by: Cable and Wireless (Incumbent), Digicel, Sunbeach, WIISCOM, Internet services in the country are provided by: CariAccess, CaribSurf, Sunbeach Communications, TeleBarbados/Freemotion.bb

ADSL services are widely available, as are Frame Relay and other more advanced services.

[edit] Brazil

Communication groups, the Telefónica, Telemar and Brasil Telecom dispute the largest part of the market offered DSL under the telephone copper net. Download speeds vary around the vicinity of 512 kbps. It is obligatory to contract with an "Internet Access Provider" (Provedor de Acesso à Internet), this being a reason for judicial disputes and controversies. In Brazil, the Internet access companies push for a distinction between an "Internet Access Provider", which provides e-mail accounts and other peripheric services (Terra Networks is an example of Internet Access Provider), and "Physical Connection Provider", which provides the actual physical connection to the Internet (Telefónica is an example of a Physical Connection Provider). Therefore, the role of ISP in Brazil is fulfilled by the physical connection providers, while contracts with "access" providers, who just serve to provide glorified and overpriced e-mail accounts, are typically forced upon the consumers.

Wireless LAN ISPs are each day more common in the interior of the country. In big cities some WiFi hotspots are available. As of November 2005, some cable companies started to offer 2, 4 and 8 Mbps access (without the need of an ISP to connect, but still required under the contract and by law) for the same price as 512 kbps ADSL connections.

ADSL was successful in Brazil during beta testing, and became popular in 2000, with the main ISPs being Speedy, Ajato and Velox, with typical speeds of around 256 kbps down and 128 kbps up. Speeds are now between 300 kbps to 1 Mbps, with some high end options of 2, 4 or 8 Mbps, but at significantly higher prices. Broadband access is split between ADSL, cablemodem, satellite and radio (publicized as 'radio internet', but it is actually a CDMA2000 1xEV-DO hardware solution), with some WiFi services appearing in 2004.

Currently (Q1 2006) there are ongoing plans for WiMax rollouts in some major cities by the end of the year by TVA, one of the leading cable internet providers.

Broadband Internet is now going through troubled times in Brazil, because of new imposed limitations in the form of data caps with very high charges for additional traffic. The price of a complete ADSL package (ISP + DSL) is currently (as of late 2004) in the region of R$ 90-120 / US$42-56 . In São Paulo State, Vírtua are expanding their services in several cities, installing optic fibers where there are NET offices or using the Vivax network (NET bought Vivax).

[edit] Canada

The following table summarizes residential broadband offerings in Canada:

Service Provider Basic Standard Pro Extreme
Shaw 256 Kbps down, 128 Kbps up 5 Mbps down, 512 Kbps up 10 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up 25 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up
Rogers Cable 128 Kbps down, 64 Kbps up 1 Mbps down, 128 Kbps up 5 Mbps down, 384 Kbps up 6 Mbps down, 800 Kbps up
Videotron 600 Kbps down, 128 Kbps up 5.1 Mbps down, 810 Kbps up 10 Mbps down, 900 Kbps up 20 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up
Cogeco 640 Kbps down, 150 Kbps up 10 Mbps down, 640 Kbps up 16 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up N/A
Eastlink 256 Kbps down, 128 Kbps up 5 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up 10 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up N/A
Bell Sympatico 128 Kbps down, 64 Kbps up 1 Mbps down, 640 Kbps up 5 Mbps down, 800 Kbps up 10 or 16 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up
TELUS 256 Kbps down, 128 Kbps up 1.5 Mbps down, 512 Kbps up 3 Mbps down, 640 Kbps up 6 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up
Sasktel 256 Kbps down, 64 Kbps up 1.5 Mbps down, 128 Kbps up 5 Mbps down, 640 Kbps up 7 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up
Colbanet N/A 5 Mbps down, 800 Kbps up N/A 24 Mbps down, 1 Mbps up
TekSavvy 288 Kbps down, 288 Kbps up 5 Mbps down, 800 Kbps up N/A N/A
ElectronicBox N/A 5 Mbps down, 800 Kbps up N/A N/A
Novus N/A 10 Mbps down, 10 Mbps up N/A N/A

The legal definition of broadband in Canada is 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second). This is essetially the bandwidth required to transmit compressed VGA (640x480) video with modest quality. However, in recent years the competition between the major broadband Internet providers has caused frequent increases in the available bandwidth provided to home users.

Regional Canadian ISPs peer through a few major Internet Exchange Points, the most notable of which is the Toronto Internet Exchange. However, these regional networks usually share the same backbones for longer distance connectivity.

The largest DSL provider in Canada is Bell Sympatico. Bell owns and maintains physical layer connectivity through a combination of optical fibre networks, DSLAM and Customer Premise Equipment. Few other DSL providers have comparable network infrastructure and instead use lines provided by Bell through a service called "Dry DSL". ADSL is the predominant technology while ADSL2+ is quickly emerging as the new standard, fueled by the urgency to compete with cable companies in the digital TV market. In British Columbia, Alberta, and parts of Quebec, the incumbent telco is TELUS, owning the DSLAMs, the fibre, and provides many services Bell does, however at slower speeds. An example of the speed difference is a standard DSL line in BC/AB is 1.5 Mbps, while a standard DSL line in ON/QC can be up to 5 Mbps; the top tier internet speed is 6 Mbps in BC/AB and 16 Mbps in ON/QC.

The other major players offering DSL and IPTV services are Sasktel (in Saskatchewan) and MTS (in Manitoba). Download speeds are approx. up to 8 Mbps, though recent upgrades now make HDTV and much higher rates possible.

For Cable offerings, standard North American DOCSIS based equipment are used.

(listing http://canadianisp.ca ).

[edit] Chile

There are 1,033,803 broadband Internet connections in Chile as of December 2006, according to a quarterly study titled Barómetro de la Banda Ancha made by International Data Corporation Chile and published by Cisco[1]. This is a 45.4% increase from December 2005. The number of home broadband connections is 848,233 (83% of all broadband connections), which is equivalent to a 20% penetration of Chilean households. The Chilean region with the largest broadband penetration rate is the Antofagasta Region with 11.6 per 100 inhabitants, surpassing the Santiago Metropolitan Region (9.2 per 100 inhabitants). The nationwide broadband penetration rate is 6.8 per 100 inhabitants. In the study, "broadband" is defined as a permanent (24-hour) connection with a minimum connection speed of 128 kbps, although slower speeds are considered in the study.

[edit] Download speeds

  • ≤160 kbps: 9% of total connections
  • >160 kbps and ≤256 kbps: 18%
  • >256 kbps and ≤512 kbps: 32%
  • >512 kbps and ≤1 mbps: 35%
  • >1 mbps: 7%

[edit] Broadband market

Companies offering home use broadband connections include:

VTR, Chile's largest cable company, offers several cable modem plans:

  • 10 Mbps/512 kbps (5 GB monthly download limit) for US$71.30; a single monthly 5 GB recharge may be purchased for US$8.90 or two 1 GB recharges for US$4.50 each
  • Flat-rate plans of 100 kbps, 160 kbps, 300 kbps, 600 kbps, 1.2 Mbps and 2.4 Mbps
  • A flexible-speed plan that includes a monthly fee of US$5.20 and a variable fee for each minute connected: US¢2.7 at 128 kbps, US¢4.5 at 600 kbps and US¢6.30 at 1.2 Mbps
  • A controlled plan in which a number of minutes (400, 600 or 800) are paid for in advance at a chosen speed (128 kbps, 600 kbps or 1.2 Mbps); prices range from US$8.80 (400 min. at 128 kbps) to US$31.30 (800 min. at 1.2 Mbps) a month; recharges are optional

Telefónica Chile, Chile's biggest phone company, offers several ADSL plans:

  • Flat-rate plans of 128/64 kbps (US$26.80), 200/64 kbps (US$37.50), 400/128 kbps (US$42.80), 600/128 kbps (US$46.40), 1 Mbps/256 kbps (US$57.10), 2 Mbps/256 kbps (US$69.60) and 4 Mbps/512 kbps (US$80.30), using a USB modem; an Ethernet modem may be used at an extra price
  • A nightly (9 PM to 8 AM) and weekends plans of 128/64 kbps (US$21.40), 200/64 kbps (US$26.80) or 600/128 kbps (US$33.90)

Entel, another major telecommunications company, offers several plans:

  • Flat-rate plans through ADSL of 200/64 kbps (US$37.30), 600/128 kbps (US$46.30), 1 Mbps/256 kbps (US$57) and 2 Mbps/256 kbps (US$69.50)
  • Wireless radio-based connections of 512/128 kbps (US$50.90)

Gtd Manquehue offers:

  • Several flat-rate plans through ADSL of 128 kbps (US$27.50), 200 kbps (US$37.50), 400 kbps (US$42.80), 600 kbps (US$46.80), 1.3 Mbps (US$57.10), 2 Mbps (US$69.60) and 4 Mbps (US$80.30)

Exchange rate used: US$1 = 560 Chilean pesos

[edit] Colombia

Broadband Internet access has been available in Colombia since 1997. The service was originally charged in American dollars, remaining expensive. The pioneers in broadband access in Colombia were University of the Andes and Cable operator TV Cable S.A both based in Bogotá, Colombia.

From 1997 until 2001, only the cities of Bogotá and Bucaramanga had broadband Cable Internet access, although during that time, the service remained expensive and was only available in the richest neighborhoods.

In the year 2001, ADSL Internet access appeared in Colombia. The appearance of ADSL Internet access meant a commercial war between the telecom companies and the cable operators (mainly in Bogotá and Bucaramanga). For some strange reason, Bogota, the largest city by size in Colombia, and Bucaramanga, the fifth city by size, have been the only cities where Cable and ADSL operators are available throughout the whole city at the same time. Nowadays the fiercest battles to attract broadband users are in Bogotá and Bucaramanga.

Medellin, Cali, and Barranquilla, the second, third and forth cities by population in Colombia have only one ASDL operator that reaches the city as a whole. This means the ADSL operator and the cable operators are not competing directly in those cities so that tariffs are higher than in Bogotá or Bucaramanga.

With respect to all the cities below one million inhabitants, ADSL broadband access is available through Colombia-Telecom (50% owned by Colombian Government and 50% owned by Telefónica from Spain). Because in these cities and towns the only broadband provider is Colombia-Telecom the service remains expensive.

Note: Towns with less than 100.000 inhabitants lack ADSL or Cable broadband access.

In Colombia there are three national ADSL and Wimax Broadband Providers. That have monopoly positions in their respective cities, with the notable exception of Bogotá.

With respect to Broadband Cable Providers, each one of them is available only in their native city, and constitutes a monopoly in its respective city.

[edit] National players

  1. Telecom/Telefonica
    • Monopoly ADSL Position in all the cities and towns between 1.000.000 million inhabits and 100.000 inhabitants
    • Its also has a minor share of ADSL Access in Bogotá, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla
    • It has monopolistic ADSL and WIMAX Access in Bucaramanga.
  2. Empresa de Telefonos de Bogota "ETB" (90% owned by the city of Bogotá, and 10% owned by private investors).
    • Near monopolistic ADSL provider in Bogota
    • Near Monopolistic WIMAX provider Armenia, Medellín, Barranquilla, Palmira, Cartagena, Villavicencio, Neiva, Pereira, Ibague, Manizales, Montería, Bucaramanga, Tunja, Santa Marta, Valledupar, Popayán , Cúcuta, Cartago.
    • Small WIMAX share in Cali
  3. Empresas Publicas de Medellin "EPM" (100% owned by the city of Medellin)
    • Near monopolic ADSL and WIMAX provider in Medellin
    • Small ADSL Share in Bogota
    • Near monopoly WIMAX share in Cali
  4. Coldecon
    • Small ADSL Share in Colombia
    • Near monopoly wifi share in Cali
    • Near monopoly wifi share in Barranquilla

[edit] Regional players

  1. TV Cable S.A.
    • It has a mayor share on the cable broadband access in Bogotá. This company focuses on the richest neighborhoods of Bogotá, and has found its market niche in the wealthy parts of Bogotá, mainly the northern part. Although it is a local player, it is the most technologically advanced broadband provider in Colombia[citation needed]. It is the first and only company providing Triple play in Colombia.
  2. CableCentro
    • It has a minor share of CABLE broadband access in most of the cities above 100.000 in Colombia
  3. Cable Union de Occidente
    • It has nearly monopolistic share of CABLE Broadband Access in Cali
  4. TV Cable Promision S.A (completely unrelated with TV Cable S.A)
    • It has nearly monopolistic share of CABLE Broadband Access in Bucaramanga
  5. Dinanet
    • It has monopolistic share of CABLE Broadband Access in Barranquilla

[edit] Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s telecommunication sector appears to be monopolized by two government companies (Grupo ICE and Racsa), but ADSL services are currently being offered by Grupo ICE only.

Price ranges between US$19/month for a 256 kbps/128 kbps connection to US$169/month for a 4096 kbps/768 kbps connection.

Service Speed Kbps Price
Home Basic 256/128 Kbps $19
Home Medium 512/256 Kbps $25
Home Premium 1024/512 Kbps $38
Home Premium Plus 2048/768 Kbps $62
SMB Basic 1536/768 Kbps $72
SMB Medium 2048/768 Kbps $91
SMB Premium 4096/768 Kbps $169


This price list is for February, 2007. For an updated price list, please check Grupo ICE’s website: [8]

Cable Modem services are offered by two companies - Cable Tica and Amnet.

Price ranges between US$16.95/month for a 256 kbps/64 kbps connection to US$168.95/month for a 4096 kbps/1024 kbps connection.

For an updated price list, please check CableTica’s website: [9] or Amnet’s website: [10]

[edit] Dominican Republic

Although the Dominican Republic is considered one of the countries with the most advanced telecommunications infrastructures in Latin America, with almost 3 million cell phones connected (on just about 10 million populants, with 4 million of them on extreme poverty conditions) and large companies like Codetel and Orange (FR) on the telecommunications market, the broadband Internet access is limited, with just 107,543 internet accounts globally. There is access to regular ADSL services only on metropolitan areas, costs are high and service is decent. Cable Internet is offered by a couple of cable companies at lower costs than ADSL but the service is very deficient and unreliable. WiFi hotspots are almost non-existent, with just a few in university campuses and other not-so-public areas.

[edit] Pricing information (Including taxes) March/2007

[edit] Codetel

  • Basic 1 384kbps/128kbps RD$1,088 = About US$33
  • Basic 2 768kpbs/128kpbs RD$1,786 = About US$54
  • Basic 3 1.5Mb/128kpbs RD$2,816 = About US$85
  • Advanced 1 768kbps/512kpbs RD$2,016 = About US$61
  • Advanced 2 1.5Mb/768kbps RD$3,648 = About US$111

[edit] Mexico

ISPs that provide ADSL:

Telmex started selling ISDN connections under the Prodigy Turbo brand name in the mid 90s. The service has been replaced for a few years now with ADSL connections which are sold under the Prodigy Infinitum brand name and offer connection speeds for home users at:

1 Mbps downstream - 128 kbps upstream

2 Mbps downstream - 256 kbps upstream

4 Mbps downstream - 1 Mbps upstream

The costs are $401MXN (a little over $37 USD), $688MXN (a little over $63USD), $5,288 (a little over $488 USD) a month, respectively; all tiers of service are uncapped.

Cable companies also offer broadband services though they usually offer many more tiers of service, which tend to be cheaper than TelMex's. The price and connection speeds vary greatly depending on each particular provider

In addition, wireless internet services are offered in the 4 major cities through E-Go (MMDS).

Wireless internet services are also being offered in Chetumal and surrounding area through SupernetMX

Wi-MAX is available now in the cities of Puebla and Cholula through Ultranet2Go.

[edit] United States

According to an industry trade association, there were 22.5 million cable modem users in the U.S. during Q1 2005, up from 17.4 million in Q1 2004, vs. about 20 million DSL users. Promotional/sign-up prices usually go up after an introductory period, typically 3, 6, or 12 months.

The FCC has broadband defined in their publications as any Internet connection with a download speed that is greater than 200 kbps. Most providers consider a connection that runs at a minimum of 256kbps to be the minimum download speed.

In the United States, many different kinds of DSL services are offered by different companies:

  • ADSL is offered by a variety of providers. The most popular variant is RADSL. Many providers, such as SBC, offer up to 6.0 Mbps/768 kbps service for home use, at different price tiers from $13 (for up to 1.5 Mbps/384 kbps) to $80, including the ISP. Others, such as Qwest, offer up to 1.5 Mbps/896 kbps service for around $33.
  • VDSL is offered by Qwest and is currently used to deliver video services as well as 1.5 Mbps/256 kbps Internet access.
  • ADSL pricing is almost universally flat-rate. However, some ISPs charge for the bandwidth used.
  • In many newer locations in the US, the DSLAM is actually installed in the local interface box because many neighborhoods have a fiber uplink to the CO (no copper exists between the CO and the box).
  • 256/256 kbps DSL is often priced as a "dial-up replacement" service. Typical cost is around $20, including ISP, making the service particularly competitive with higher-priced dial-up ISPs. In many cases, this service is not "always on" and a user must initiate a PPPoE connection to connect to the Internet.
  • 8/1 Mbps DSL for business use is available from most providers. Cost is typically around $250 per month, plus ISP fees.
  • 8/1 Mbps DSL for home use is becoming more widely available due to competitive pressures from cable Internet access.
  • Some believe that cable Internet access is more popular than DSL in the U.S. because of a wider potential customer base due to greater capital expenditures, or less regulation, or technical differences. Although cable Internet access has its share of difficulties, cable Internet service providers can in most cases offer higher theoretical bandwidth on paper (albeit shared, although in many respects DSL is also "shared"). Some believe these paper claims are naturally used to market is a premium product and undermine the position of DSL. Features, technical support, and actual speed also vary very widely among providers.
  • In recent years Verizon's FiOS has slowly become available in areas around the United States. In areas where it is available, competition between Verizon and local cable companies has caused speeds as high as 50/5 Mbps to be available for $90 per month. As FiOS spreads, prices are expected to drop, while speeds increase[2]
  • Broadband wireless or WISP services are gaining in popularity not only in rural locations. It has become a viable alternative for consumers. Speeds range from 384kbps to 1.5Mbps for residential and 1.5Mbps to over 10Mbps for businesses. Although wireless has its share of difficulties it has gained in popularity as its reliability increases. It is possible to find a provider offering 99.99% uptime services for Enterprise grade performance.
  • Satellite Internet access typically involves equipment and installation costs ranging from $300 to over $600 (the FCC requires professional installation to prevent interference issues), and monthly service costs average from $50 to nearly $80, depending on the speed.

[edit] Uruguay

In Uruguay, you can access the Internet mainly by using:

  • DSL services, provided by the state owned telco company (ANTEL).
  • One of the different Wireless ISP (which have a tendency to be more expensive because of high taxation and radio spectrum licenses costs).
  • There are no access to the internet by means of Cable TV companies as of 2006 in its largest cities or at Uruguay's capital, Montevideo.
  • As an option, some shopping malls and other commercial business offer WiFi access at their location.
  • Cyber cafes are very common throughout the whole country, and very inexpensive (from about U$S 0.4 an hour).

[edit] ADSL in Uruguay

ANTEL, a telco company owned by the government, charges U$S 50 a month (about U$S 600 a year) for a 512 kbps/128 kbps ADSL service. That is one of the most expensive DSL services in the region (which includes Argentina, Brasil and Chile), while wages in Uruguay might be lower than in said countries. Also, the services dinamically changes the IP address of the customer every 12 hours, making it difficult to use for tele-working. A fixed-IP address service, which offers 1 Mbit download bandwitdth, can cost more than U$S 200 a month. Antel enjoys a monopoly in the basic telephony area, and has successfully prevented other competitors (such as Cable companies) to enter the Internet service provider business. ISP are then forced to use other technologies, such as radio, to get to customers. Usually, the taxation and licensees for radio spectrum are also very expensive, in a way to artificially not allow these ISP to be cost competitive with Antel DSL service. While Antel motto has been that of being a state owned telco, and justifies its monopoly by saying that its purpose is to get affordable advanced services to the Uruguayan people, it has blatlanty not delivered affordable services to its customers, it has remained expensive and with lower quality services in most areas, and has had success in avoiding competition. As of August 2006, Anteldata has the majority of the market share.

Some services by Antel as of August 2006 are:

  • ADSL 512 kbps/128 kbps = $U 1278 = U$S 53 a month, or U$S 636 a year. You get dynamic IP; addresses changes every 12 hours. VAT is included.
  • ADSL 768 kbps/192 kbps = $U 1944 = U$S 81 a month, or U$S 972 a year. You get dynamic IP; addresses changes every 12 hours. VAT is included.
  • ADSL 1 Mbit/256 kbps = $U 4785 = U$S 199 a month, or U$S 2392 a year. You get a fixed IP address. VAT is included.

The ADSL service is available if you have a corresponding land line with Antel.

[edit] Wireless in Uruguay

Dedicado is a local wireless ISP. It appeared before or about at the same time than Anteldata (about in 1999), but since ADSL was not available at the same time on every neighborhood, Dedicado had the majority of the permanent internet connections. As of August 2006, ADSL is available in almost every neighborhood, and Dedicado lost a big market share, both because being more expensive and giving a bad service to their users. They started a big advertising campaign, but didn't pay attention to the technical details related to their amount of users, so their quality of service decreased. In 2005, they started deploying WiMAX services. There are other wireless ISPs, but Dedicado is the main one.

[edit] ISPs in Uruguay

The main ISPs in Uruguay are:

Many of those services also have an installation cost, which is equal to one or two months of said service. It is not unusual for some people to get together to pay for one of these services, and share it by using WiFi or Ethernet.

After having successfully implemented a high priced/low speed environment for Internet access, where competitors are either left out (Cable) or forced to lower or more expensive technologies (Dial up, Radio), Antel has started providing packages where Internet access is limited either by a maximum amount of time, or a maximum amount of bytes transferred (20hs access, 60 hs access, 500 MB access, 1 GB access, 3 GB access). After reaching whatever limit that particular plan has, Antel starts charging extra, many times almost up to 20 to 30% more a month than if you had the corresponding (in terms of line bandwitdth) flat rate service.

External links

  • DSL Reports - Extensive site on broadband with user reports from around the USA and Canada

[edit] Asia

[edit] Brunei

Brunei's internet service is monopolized by a recently corporated company TelBru under their "Brunet" department. ADSL speeds range from 512 kbps to the maximum speed of 1 Mbps through ADSL broadband. 1 Mbps was only recently introduced in 2006 and priced at BND$308 per month (Equivalent to Singapore currency). It is known that the Brunei's broadband ranging from 512 kbps to 1mb/s is one the most expensive in the world. The limited market in Brunei means that development in the telecommunications sector is stagnant. Currently only about 10000 users out of a population of 380,000 have any connection to the Internet. However, more and more users are subscribing to 3G Mobile services. Broadband coverage has spanned the whole of Brunei since the release of "E-Speed 2".

Pricing of ADSL service in Brunei

[edit] Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, as of April 2006 HKBN offers its customers internet access with speeds starting from 10 Mbps (19 USD a month) up to 1000 Mbps (1 Gbit/s) (215 USD a month) via Fiber to the Building and Fiber to the Home. However the speed to non-Hong Kong destinations is capped to 20 Mbps. HKBN also provides FTTH plans for speeds up to BB100 (100/100 Mbps) and BB25 (25/25 Mbps), for approximately US$25 and US$22 monthly.

Major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) include:

  • PCCW Netvigator, with a 95% coverage area and providing internet access to 1.9 million users. ADSL connections at 3 Mbps and 6-8 Mbps are priced differently. Newly constructed apartments have ADSL2 connections, which have speeds up to 18M/1M. Business plans may have plans which speeds up to 1G/1G.
  • HGC ADSL & VDSL broadband of speeds up to 100M/100M.
  • NWT ADSL & VDSL broadband of speeds up to 10M/10M (page in Chinese).
  • HKBN CAT5e broadband of speeds up to 1G/1G.
  • One Broadband ADSL broadband of speeds up to 8M/256K.
  • I-cable Broadband Cable Broadband of speeds up to 8M/8M shared by one apartment.

[edit] India

Broadband connections have continued growth since beginning on 2006.At the end of November 2006total broadband connections in the country have reached 2 million. However the definition of broadband is pretty constrained in India compared to other conutries. A 256 Kbps always on connection is the definition of broadband in India compared to 2Mbps in other countries. [11]


BSNL, Sify, MTNL, Airtel, Netcom, Reliance and Hathway are some of the major ISPs in India. TRAI has defined broadband as 256 kbps or higher. However, many ISPs advertise their service as broadband but don't offer the suggested speeds. Recently, Airtel and Hathway have begun offering unlimited downloads starting from 64 kbps. Broadband in India is very costly compared to Western Europe/UK and USA.

An unlimited download of 256 kbps ADSL broadband connection from Airtel and BSNL costs about $22/mo. The upload limit for 'BSNL UNLIMITED 256 kbps plan' is 64 kbps. BSNL offers 2Mbps down for Rs500 or $10/mo with a download limit of 2.5GB,addition download costs around ¢2.2 per Mb

After economic liberalization in 1992, many private ISPs have entered the market, many with their own local loop and gateway infrastructures. Right now the market is infinite and competition is fierce to lure prospective customers into buying their services. The telecom services market is regulated by TRAI. Although broadband law of 2004, changed the definition for broadband to 256 kbps always on, most ISPs found that they can provide broadband with a capping of data that can be downloaded. ADSL providers include:

[edit] Indonesia

Most fixed telephone line networks (including ADSL) in Indonesia are controlled by PT Telkom, the state-owned telecom company. ADSL/telephone switching equipment used by PT Telkom is made by Alcatel and recently by Huawei. PT Telkom has gained a poor reputation among its ADSL subscribers, since the service given by PT Telkom often experiences drop-outs. Moreover, PT Telkom puts high prices on their ADSL plans, making them unaffordable to most Indonesians.

Indonesian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) offer Internet service on top of the PT Telkom's ADSL network which makes Internet in Indonesia very expensive especially when compared to the relatively poor service. ADSL customers have to pay 2 separate charges: ADSL line charges to PT Telkom ($22-160 USD) and Internet charges to the ISP. Most service plans are have limited usage with /kb surcharges for surpassing the allotted monthly usage amount.

The ADSL line charges (subject to 10% Value Added Tax):

  • Home user: limited to 750 Mb: US$ 25/month.
  • Home user: limited to 2000 Mb: US$ 40/month.
  • Business: unlimited US$ 110/month.
  • Internet caffee: unlimited US$ 160/month.
  • Excess data : 7 cents/Mb or US$ 70 / Gb

ADSL ISP in Indonesia: (all prices subject to 10% Value Added Tax).

  • Telkom Speedy (PT Telkom): the maximum speed is 384 kilobits/second. There are several subscription packages:
    • 750 Megabytes/month (subscription rate: US$ 30/month).
    • 2000 Megabytes/month (US$ 70/month).
    • Unlimited (US$200 /month).
  • CBN: the maximum speed is 384 kilobits/second. The maximum upload speed is 64 kbps. There are several subscription packages:
    • ADSL 500 Megabytes/month (US$ 40/month)
    • ADSL 1000 Megabytes/month (US$ 55/month).
    • ADSL 2000 Megabytes/month (US$ 90/month).
    • ADSL unlimited usage (US$ 550/month).
    • ADSL SOHO (128 kilobits/second) unlimited usage (US$ 210/month).
  • Centrin: the maximum speed is 384 kilobits/second. There are several subscription packages:
    • ADSL 750 Megabytes/month (US$ 25/month).
    • ADSL 1250 Megabytes/month (US$ 35/month).
    • ADSL 2000 Megabytes/month (US$ 55/month).
    • ADSL SOHO 128 kilobits/second, unlimited usage (US 90/month).
    • ADSL SOHO 384 kilobits/second, unlimited usage (US$ 155/month).
    • ADSL for corporate 384 kilobits/second, unlimited usage (US$ 300/month).
  • Biznet: the maximum speed is 512 kilobits/second. There are several subscription packages:
    • Personal 500 Megabytes/month (US$ 40/month).
    • Personal 1000 Megabytes/month (US$ 55/month).
    • Personal 2000 Megabytes/month (US$ 75/month).
    • Corporate Unlinited (US$ 330/month).
  • Indonet: the maximum speed is 384 kilobits/second. There are several subscription packages:
    • Personal, limited to 2000 Megabytes/month (US$ 55/month).
    • Personal unlimited 128 kilobits/second (US$ 105/month).
    • Business unlimited 384 kilobits/second (US$ 210/month).
    • Premium unlimited 384 kilobits/second (US$ 500/month).
  • Radnet: the maximum speed is 384 kilobits/second. There are several subscription packages:
    • NetDSL Basic 500 Megabytes/month (US$ 25/month).
    • NetDSL Smart, US$ 0.60/Mb, minimum US$ 11/month.
    • NetDSL Surfgeek 1500 Megabytes/month (US$ 160/month).
    • NetDSL Office unlimited (US$ 270/month).
  • Pacific: the maximum speed is 384 kilobits/second. There are several subscription packages:
    • Light, 384kps: 250 Megabytes/month (US$ 11/month).
    • Heavy, 512kps: 2000 Megabytes/month (US$ 55/month).
    • Small business 128 kilobits/second (US$ 160/month).
    • Medium business 256 kilobits/second (US$ 270/month).
    • Large business 384 kilobits/second (US$ 380/month).

[edit] Cable Internet in Indonesia

  • Kabelvision: subscribers are billed US$ 20/month for CableTV. For unlimited Internet service (all prices subject to 10% Value Added Tax):
    • Mynet (Kabelvision): Personal 256 kilobits/second (US$ 65/month) and SOHO 512 kilobits/second (US$ 130/month).
    • Linknet (Kabelvision): Personal 64 kilobits/second (US$ 55/month). Corporate: 64 kbps (US$ 550/month), 128 kbps (US$ 1050/month), 256 kbps (US$ 1950/month), 512 kbps (US$ 3,750/month), 1,000 kbps (US$ 7,500/month), 2,000 kbps (US$ 15,000/month).
    • Centrin: Personal 64 kilobits/second (US$ 55/month), SOHO 128 kilobits/second (US$ 130/month), Corporate: 64 kbps (US$ 700/month), 128 kbps (US$ 1,100/month), 256 kbps (US$ 2,100/month), 512 kbps Local (US$ 4,100/month), 512 kbps Zone 1 (US$ 5,000/month).
    • Uninet: Personal 64 kilobits/second (US$ 55/month), SOHO 128 kilobits/second (US$ 130/month). Corporate: 64 kbps (US$ 550/month), 128 kbps (US$ 1,100/month).
    • Indosat M2: Personal 64 kilobits/second (US$ 55/month), SOHO 128 kilobits/second (US$ 130/month).
    • Indonet: Personal 64 kilobits/second (US$ 55/month), SOHO 128 kilobits/second (US$ 130/month).
    • CBN: Personal 64 kilobits/second (US$ 60/month), SOHO 128 kilobits/second (US$ 130/month).
  • Digital1 (Kabelvision): subscribers are billed US$ 6/month. 64 kbps Internet access: US$ 42/month.
  • IM2PayTV (Indosat): subscribers are billed US$ 17/month. Indosat M2 Internet service: Personal 384 kilobits/second (US$ 55/month) + 10% Value Added Tax.

[edit] 3G Cellular in Indonesia

The 3G service is currently in the trial phase.

  • Esia (CDMA 2000-EvDO): maximum download speed: 384 kbps. Rate: US$ 16 cent/kilobytes.
  • Telkomsel (WCDMA): maximum download speed: 384 kbps. Rate: US$ 13 cent/kilobytes.

[edit] Wireless in Indonesia

The wireless connections may be intermittent during the rainy season.

  • Bignet: maximum download speed 64 kilobits/second.
  • Quasar in Bandung, West Java. Maximum download speed 64 kilobits/second.

[edit] External links

[edit] Iran

ADSL in Iran appeared in January 2004.

retailer in tehran is Sepanta Network Solutions


  • DATAK is the first broadband ISP in Iran which offers ADSL2+ and ADSL services for residential and business users in Tehran and other major cities.
  • CTEL Kish is the first broadband ISP in Khorasan which offers ADSL2+ and ADSL services for residential and business users in Mashhad and other major cities.

Note: From October 2006, the government of the Islamic Republic has enforced serious restrictions on ADSL service providers, banning them from providing ADSL services with a speed higher than 128kbps (the speed limitation is for houses not offices).(ITNA Persian Article)

  • saba provides high quality adsl connections with afordable prices:
capacity speed Price
2GB 256/256 Kbps $10
5GB 256/256 Kbps $15
10GB 256/256 Kbps $25
20GB 256/256 Kbps $40
25GB 256/256 Kbps $50
30GB 256/256 Kbps $60
unlimited 512/512 Kbps $225
unlimited 1024/1024 Kbps $425

[edit] Israel

ADSL has been available in Israel since the 90s in theory, but it only became practical to an average residential customer in 2002. Since then prices have dropped considerably.

In Israel, every ADSL or cable modem user has to pay both for use of the telephone or cable company's infrastructure and to the ISP for the service.

The typical connection speed has remained at 1.5 Mbps (with 150 kbps upstream) for the bulk of 2005 and 2006, although its price has dropped to an approximate $7/month (to the ISP) and about the same for the infrastructure provider. Connections of over 2 Mbps (with a 256 kbps upload speed) have only been introduced in the summer of 2005 to the mainstream, and are still priced at over $20/month as of September 2006. Maximum downstream speeds via ADSL currently reside at 5Mbps Down/500 kbps, while on Cable they are 6Mbps Down and 600kbps or 1Mbps UP (depending on package) up. 1Mbps upstream for Cable connection are at a premium price.
The only company that is currently providing ADSL services is Bezeq, a recently-privatized company, which competes against HOT, the only Israeli cable company, that provides TV, Internet infrastructure and VoIP services. All ADSL service require and use of the PPPoE protocol, and all cable modem connections operate over the PPTP/L2TP protocol.

ADSL Connection speeds available:
Download / Upload
256Kbps / 64Kbps
512Kbps / 64Kbps
750Kbps / 96Kbps
1.5Mbps / 150Kbps
2 Mbps / 200Kbps
2.5Mbps / 250Kbps
5Mbps / 500Kbps

Cable Modem service is available from HOT (a merging of the three incumbant national cable providers) in the following speeds:

Download / Upload
1.5Mbps / 128Kbps
1.5Mbps / 256Kbps
1.5Mbps / 512Kbps
3Mbps / 150Kbps
3Mbps / 278Kbps
5Mbps / 256Kpbs
5Mbps / 500Kpbs
6Mbps / 600Kpbs
2Mbps / 1.0Mbps

The 1.0Mbps upload options require a substantial premium as they are marketed towards business.

ISPs

[edit] Japan

In Japan, Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) planned a step-up process from dialup (56 kbps), ISDN(64 kbps), to FTTH. Under the plan, NTT had been selling ISDN lines primarily toward private users while corporate users sometimes skipped ISDN entirely and immediately upgraded to the still-expensive FTTH service. In late 1990s, CATV operators began offering their own broadband services, but relatively high initial installation cost and cheaper alternatives limited its spread.

ADSL service started by a venture company, Tokyo Metallic in 1999. After this NTT started and some other companies followed. In 2001, SoftBank started ADSL (12 Mbps) service. It was a shocking event, because the price was around only 3000 yen (30US$), which was half of other companies and aggressive marketing campaigns led to capturing large shares of market. Competitors and Softbank each dropped prices in a price war and repeatedly readied higher speed services to entice customers (12 Mbps 24 Mbps, 50 Mbps). In 2004, Japan had the best cost performance ADSL service in the world (50 Mbps, 35US$) which it held on in the successive year.

At the same time, NTT and electric power companies expand FTTH areas. In most urban area, people can use FTTH (100 Mbps, 50US$), but ADSL is still mainstream. However, large discounts and free installation have boosted adoptions. Many new apartments are built to accommodate FTTH service with little or no wiring. In 2005, Kansai Electric Power started 1 Gbit/s FTTH service at 8700yen (90US$).

In September 2000, the MIC (communications ministry) forced Nippon Telegraph and Telephone, the incumbent operator, to unbundle its copper local loop. The price was fixed considering the line cost were covered by vocal telephony, alternative operators should only support incremental costs bond to newly offered functions. For the fiscal year 2004, partial unbundling rates were 120¥ per month and 1,300¥ per month for total unbundling.

In 2000, rules for operators colocation inside NTT facilities and lines delivery terms were established. In 2001, NTT were required to unbundle their interconnection optic fibers between exchange points. Finally, It was forbidden for NTT East & NTT West to offer internet access services.

Softbank, a major Nippon ISP, launched in 2001 its DSL service "Yahoo! BB" and massively invest in DSL technology to become in 2003 the largest DSL operator before the incumbent.

In March 2005, DSL had more than 13.6 million customers. The concurrence of FTTH is stronger and stronger, with the arrival of operators like TEPCO (Tokyo Electric Power Company), allied to KDDI and NTT. Three millions customers were wired with FTTH in March 2005 and it could supplant DSL in 2007 according to Yano Research (FTTH Market in Japan and its future prospects, 1 September 2005).

The Japanese model of optic fiber deployment is difficult to compare to other markets. The last kilometre is often done in an aerial manner on pylons, shared between operators, even non-telco. This distribution technique reduce the vulnerability to earthquakes and lower costs dramatically.

The unique problem facing Japan's broadband situation is that because of popularity of FTTH, operators struggle to maitain enough bandwidth to let users enjoy their service fully. Even the largest operators have capacities for only tens of Gbits even though customers with FTTH service may number in thousands if not more. This problem is further compounded by limits caused by router.

(source: French regulation authority letter)

[edit] Kyrgyzstan

Variable upload/download speeds through xDSL are available through state telephone company Kyrgyz Telecom (up to 8Mbps downlink) and private ISPs (up to 1Mbps downlink). There is typically a monthly cap on the amount of data transferred, with separate caps depending on whether the data stays within Kyrgyzstan or travels beyond the border. Broadband internet access with unlimited international traffic is rarely offered by ISPs to the market at significantly higher price. This is probably due to the lack of country's telecommunications bandwidth capacity.

ISPs provide internet access through satellite backbone communication lines linked to Russia, Germany, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. There is a major telecommunications project under construction - The Trans-Asia-Europe Fiber Optic Line, connecting Shanghai, China and Frankfurt, Germany, with the capacity of 622 Mbps, where Kyrgyzstan has completed its part. Completion of this project might affect broadband internet prices in Kyrgyzstan.

There are several ISPs that provide broadband internet access using different technologies such as xDSL, ISDN, Leased Line, Ethernet. The summary of the minimum and maximum download speeds offered by ISPs in Kyrgyzstan with corresponding prices (the most competitive prices are shown among various tariffs ) as of December 29, 2006.

Kyrgyz Telecom Linked to Internet through: Moscow, Russia (RTCOMM) Technology: Dial-Up, DSL, Leased Line Download Speed: all packages offered by Kyrgyz Telecom operate at the same data rate of up to 8Mbps / Monthly Charge from $33.00 to $353.00 for Int'l Traffic Cost / 1GB ranging from $57.00 to $41.65 correspondingly

Elcat Linked to Internet through: Moscow, Russia (Golden Telecom) Technology: Dial-Up, DSL, Leased Line, WiFi Min Download Speed: 64Kbps / Monthly Charge $40.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $50.00 Max Download Speed: 512Kbps / Monthly Charge $120.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $42.00

Asiainfo Linked to Internet through: Moscow, Russia (Satis-TL) Technology: Dial-Up, DSL, Leased Line Min Download Speed: 128Kbps / Monthly Charge $20.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $46.00 Max Download Speed: 512Kbps / Monthly Charge $45.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $55.00

Transfer Ltd Linked to Internet through: Moscow, Russia (Golden Telecom) Technology: Dial-Up, Leased Line Min Download Speed: 64Kbps / Monthly Charge $900.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $60.00 Max Download Speed: 256Kbps / Monthly Charge $3,000.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $50.00

Totel Linked to Internet through: Saarbrucken, Germany (InSat GmbH) Technology: Dial-Up, DSL, Leased Line Min Download Speed: 64Kbps / Monthly Charge $35.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $45.00 Max Download Speed: 256Kbps / Monthly Charge $115.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $43.00

Megaline Linked to Internet through: Saarbrucken, Germany (InSat GmbH) Technology: Ethernet Download Speed: ranges from 480Kbps to 800Kbps / Monthly Charge $3.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $50.00

Aknet Linked to Internet through: Saarbrucken, Germany (InSat GmbH) Technology: Dial-Up, Leased Line Download Speed: N/A / Monthly Charge $20.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $13.00-$70.00

Intranet Linked to Internet through: Saarbrucken, Germany (InSat GmbH) Technology: Dial-Up, DSL Min Download Speed: 64Kbps / Monthly Charge $150.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $52.00 Max Download Speed: 384Kbps / Monthly Charge $900.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $50.00

Saima Telecom Linked to Internet through: Almaty, Kazakhstan (Kazakhstan Online Backbone) Technology: Dial-Up, Leased, ADSL, SDSL/SHDS, ISDN Min Download Speed: 256Kbps / Monthly Charge $200.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $40.00 Max Download Speed: 1Mbps / Monthly Charge $700.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $35.00

Rikonet Linked to Internet through: Moscow, Russia, (RTCOMM) Technology: Dial-Up, Leased Line Min Download Speed: 64Kbps / Monthly Charge $100.00 / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $80.00 Max Download Speed: 256Kbps / Monthly Charge - negotiable / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB $55.00

AlaTV Linked to Internet through: Moscow, Russia (Satis-TL) Technology: Cable Download Speed: N/A / Monthly Charge N/A / Int'l Traffic Cost/1GB N/A

ExNET Linked to Internet through: Kiev, Ukraine (Itelsat) Technology: Dial-Up

IPVICH Linked to Internet through: Moscow, Russia (Utransit) Technology: Dial-Up

Internet access with unlimited international traffic is offered by Totel (from $ 268 for 64Kbps to $ 1034 for 256Kbps download speed), Intranet (from $ 370 for 64Kbps to $ 1440 for 256Kbps download speed), and Rikonet (from $ 180 for 14Kbps to $ 5700 for 512Kbps download speed). There are few firms, resellers of satellite internet operators, providing one way satellite internet access such as Unixsat and SIK.

[edit] Malaysia

As of June 2006 there are 652,000 ADSL connections. TMnet, a subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia, is Malaysia's largest Internet service provider. While there are many ISPs in Malaysia, most provide only limited coverage. Consequently, TMnet enjoys a virtual monopoly of the broadband market.

[edit] 3G Cellular in Malaysia

  • Celcom 3G - A subsidiary of TM. 3G coverage in major cities in East Malaysian states of Sarawak and Sabah. Maintain a widespread coverage of 3G in Peninsula Malaysia.
  • Digi EDGE - EDGE services, coverage is more widespread and include major cities in both Peninsula Malaysia as well as Sarawak and Sabah in East Malaysia.
  • Maxis 3G - Wide 3G coverage in Kota Kinabalu, Klang Valley, Penang, Johor Bahru & Kuantan. Some areas are High speed 3G covered using HSDPA which up to 768kb/s.

[edit] DSL in Malaysia

  • TMnet streamyx - ADSL and SDSL connection by TMnet. Have the highest number of broadband subscribers in Malaysia due to lack of other ISP in non-metro area.
  • Jaring Flite Wired - ADSL connection. Limited coverage, mainly available in Klang Valley.
  • Maxis Wired Broadband - ADSL connection. Limited coverage, mainly available in Klang Valley.
  • Time Biznet - SDSL connection for business subscription only. Speed up to 2Mb/s.
  • Time HomeNET - SDSL connection for home user. Very limited coverage area and speed up to 448kb/s only.

[edit] Fiber optic in Malaysia

  • Metrofon - Fiber to the Home (FTTH). Provide fiber optic connection to condominiums and apartments in Kuala Lumpur city and Selangor area.
  • Penangfon - Same company as above. Provide services only in Penangisland.
  • Time Fusion - Malaysia's first super-high bandwidth services offered to the public by deploying DWDM (Dense Wave Division Multiplexers) and utilizing Optical Ethernet technology. Available within Peninsular including Metro areas such as Klang Valley and the cities along the North South Express Highways.

[edit] Fixed wireless in Malaysia

[edit] Hotspot in Malaysia

  • Time ZONE - More than 120 FREE hotspots in the country. Utilises IEEE 802.11b technical standard. Speed up to 2Mb/s.
  • TMnet Hotspot - Prepaid hotspot services, and also as Value added service for TMnet Streamyx and TMnet 1515 dialup. More than 1100 hotspots in the country. Utilises IEEE 802.11b technical standard. Speed up to 384kb/s only.

[edit] Leased line in Malaysia

[edit] VSAT in Malaysia

  • Smart - C-band and Ku-band satellite connection.

[edit] Wimax in Malaysia

On 16th March 2007, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)had granted 4 wimax license to the following company.

  • Bizsurf (M) Sdn Bhd
  • MIB Comm Sdn BhD
  • Asiaspace Dotcom Sdn Bhd
  • Redtone-CNX Broadband Sdn Bhd

MCMC expects the winners to roll out their WiMAX services to 25% of the population in the areas given to them by end of the year 2007. And at the end of third year, the companies are expected to roll out the services to at least 40% of the population in the areas they control. The Internet access speed expected to be no less than 1Mbps.

[edit] North Korea

North Korea is a communist state almost completely isolated from the rest of the world. They do have a public telephone system but no broadband. BGAN Coverage is available offering download speeds up to 492kb/s and upload speeds of 400kb/s however it would be extremely difficult to smuggle a BGAN terminal into the country. The one internet cafe in Pyongyang uses a Satellite Internet connection. In 2007 Thuraya coverage will be available with terminals slightly smaller than a laptop.

[edit] Pakistan

Broadband was first introduced in Pakistan in 1995 by Telstra [ Australian telecoms company] with the design of the repeater huts being done by Designman – an Islamabad civil engineering firm[12]. The first and only official cable internet service was launched in 2000 by a company named Worldcall[3] under the brand name of GO4B. The First DSL service was launched in Karachi in 2004 by Multinet. Pakistan had almost 126 ISPs in 2004 with internet users being concentrated in the areas of Lahore, Islamabad and Karachi. The broadband penetration during the same period stood at 1.6 percent with 40,000 subscribers, of which 91 percent were cable internet subscribers, 8 percent were DSL subscribers and less than 1 percent were satellite and wireless subscriber[13]. Broadband is offered in Pakistan at 128kbps, 256kbps and 512kbps in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Faisalabad, Multan & Peshawer only. Currently Pakistan has 56,611 DSL subscribers in the country, with the largest share to 13 ISPs. While the big DSL providers are Cyber.Net, Maxcom, Paknet, Multinet, Micronet, Cyber Soft Technology and Dancom.

In late 2004, wireless internet was launched by PTCL using Wireless local loop (WLL) technology. Following this in 2006, another company named GOCDMA launched the same service in 2006. And in 2007 WiMax is due to launch by a company named Wateen Telecom.

[edit] Philippines

In the Philippines, broadband internet is usually available to consumers through 2 methods: cable and DSL. Cable Internet is offered through companies such as ZPDee Cable, Destiny Cable and Parasat "Cable21", Caceres "C3", Skyline "Cheetah", USATV1, Viacomm, Aeronet, KwikNET (Los Banos Laguna)usually starting at 64 kbps. ComClark (Pampanga) usually starting at 384 kbps. PLDT, BayanTel, Globe and Eastern Telecom (ETPI) offer DSL starting at 128 kbps up to 5 Mbps. Broadband internet is also widely available at public internet cafes and offices, especially in major cities. Wireless (WiFi) broadband internet is progressively being rolled out in coffee shops, malls and major airports around the country.

In 2005, Smart Communications launched "Smart Wi-Fi", which, contrary to its name, does not make use of WiFi. The service offers wireless fixed broadband through the use of Motorola's Canopy equipment. The service was later rebranded as "Smart BRO" on April 2006.

Providers:

  • BayanTel, through SkyDSL, offers SDSL from 256 kbps to 1.5 Mbps.[14] They also offer cable internet from 64 kbps to 1 Mbps through ZPDee. [15]
  • ETPI offers SDSL from 256 kbps to 2 Mbps.[16]
  • Global Destiny Cable, better known as Destiny Cable, offers Cable internet in either a 60-hour or unlimited package and also offers SDSL services up to 3 Mbps.[17]
  • Globe Telecom, through its subsidiary Innove offers ADSL from 512 kbps to 2 Mbps. [18]
  • PLDT offers ADSL from 384 kbps to 5 Mbps.[19]
  • Smart Communications offers wireless fixed broadband at 384kbps
  • ComClark Network and Technology Corp offers Cable internet known as Surestream, Wireless (WiFi) known as Wireless Anywhere Metro, Wireless fixed broadband known as Extreme Wireless, Instanet Prepaid Cards Pampanga Only and Fiber Optics [20]

[edit] Qatar

ADSL launched 2002 in Qatar provided by Qtel with 25000 ADSL users Ref

Speeds:

  • ADSL 512 kbps $55/Month
  • ADSL 1 Mbps $83/Month
  • ADSL 2 Mbps $111/Month

Links: Qtel Site Qatar Internet Site

[edit] United Arab Emirates

Currently, there is only one provider in the United Arab Emirates that provides ADSL - Etisalat. The service is offered under the Al Shamil brand.

The service includes the following plans:

  • Light Usage, Limited Access (15 hours/month1) (256Kbps) AED 99/month (Approx. USD 27)
  • Light Usage (256Kbps) AED 149/month (Approx. USD 41)
  • Moderate Usage(512Kbps) AED 189/month (Approx. USD 52)
  • Active Usage(1Mbps)AED 249/month (Approx. USD 68)
  • Heavy Usage(2Mbps)AED 349/month (Approx. USD 95)

1The Limited Access Light Usage plan will be charged AED 2.99 (USD 0.82) per hour if usage exceeds 15 hours/month. (Source: AlShamil )

Links: AlShamil Website
E-Company Website

[edit] Oman

ADSL services were launched in 2005 in Oman through the provider Omantel, the only ISP in Oman.

Speeds available:

  • ADSL 384 kbps for home users:
    • Limited bandwidth: monthly ADSL line rent costs 12 R.O ($32) and charge is 1 R.O ($2.6) per 1 GB down/upload.
    • Unlimited bandwidth: monthly ADSL line rent costs 12 R.O and monthly subscription is 27 R.O, which equals 39 R.O ($102) monthly.
  • ADSL 512 kbps which is only available to schools: monthly unlimited use costs 20 R.O ($52).
  • ADSL 1 Mbps which is only available to government & business users: monthly ADSL line rent costs 120 R.O ($313) and charge is 1 R.O ($2.6) per 1 GB down/upload.

[edit] Saudi Arabia

ADSL service in Saudi Arabia has become available since 2001. As part of its monopoly on all methods of communication in Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Telecom Company is the only complete provider, though several ISPs are available, with the permission of STC.

STC is the only provider for telephone lines in Saudi Arabia. For this reason customers have to pay two fees, one to STC for activation of the ADSL service across the telephone line, and a second to an ISP to provide internet service across the ADSL line. STC has been highly criticized for their service in providing ADSL access as customers had to wait many months to receive ADSL service on their phone lines. In 2006, STC had invested in increasing the size of their ADSL infrastructure and since then the wait times had improved, but many customers are still on waiting lists.

ADSL services in Saudi Arabia has been critcized for being slow, unreliable, and unreasonably expensive. As of January 2007, STC started providing 1024 kbps ADSL connections, but there are currently few ISPs that provide 1024 kbps internet access. Still, Saudi Arabia is lagging behind its neighbours in terms of DSL access, as broadband costs are nearly double that of neighbouring countries and the maximum internet speed available is currently 1024 kbps.

Available ADSL speeds with typical monthly prices:

  • 64 kbps at cost of SR90 (~US$24) for ISP + SR90 (~US$24) for STC.
  • 128 kbps at cost of SR150 (~US$40) for ISP + SR90 (~US$24) for STC.
  • 256 kbps at cost of SR230 (~US$62) for ISP + SR100 (~US$27) for STC.
  • 512 kbps at cost of SR380 (~US$100) for ISP + SR120 (~US$32) for STC.
  • 1024 kbps at cost of SR750 (~US$200) for ISP + SR150 (~US$40) for STC.

As of October 2006, the 20 internet service providers in Saudi Arabia became connected through "Data service provider" -licensed companies, such as Saudi Telecom Company. The ISPs were previously connected through KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology), who was also responsible for DNS and filtering traffic. Since October 2006 the Communications and Information Technology Commission is responsible for DNS and filtering services.[4]

There are several reasons for the service being unpopular, in particular the unreasonably expensive prices and incompetent low-quality service. Perhaps this was proven when STC submitted a request to enter neighbouring Egypt as a provider and was refused due to lack of experience, staff, equipments and such.

Saudi citizens are hoping for the quick introduction of another provider to end STC's monoply and start competition in the Internet provider market. This is believed to be hindered by CITC.

In late 2005 it was announced that a company by the name of electronet would start providing broadband connections through electric lines by mid 2006. However as of early 2007 the service has not been implemented.

Dialup connection is the predominant method of internet connectivity and is billed (to the phone bill) at 3 Saudi Riyals per hour, which equates to about 80 US Cents per hour.

There are huge public complains about the internet services in Saudi Arabia credited as being one of the worst in the world.

[edit] Singapore

Singapore as a small densely populated island nation is the pioneer, and continues to be one of the few countries in the World in which broadband internet access is readily available to just about any would-be user anywhere in the country, with connectivity over 99%. In a government-led initiative to connect the island in a high-speed broadband network using various mediums such as fibre, DSL and cable, the Singapore ONE project was formally announced in June 1996, and commercially launched in June 1998. By December 1998, Singapore ONE is available nationwide with the completion of the national fibre optics network.

In 1997, commercial trials for Singapore Telecommunications' (Singtel) ADSL-based "SingTel Magix" service were undertaken in March, before being launched in June. Also in June, Singapore Cable Vision commenced trails for its cable modem based services, before being commercially deployed in December 1999. Singtel's ADSL service was subsequently rolled out on a nation-wide scale in August 2000.

In January 2001, the Broadband Media Association was formed to promote the broadband industry. By April the same year there were 6 broadband internet providers, with the total number of broadband users exceeding 300,000. Pacific Internet introduced wireless broadband services in October 2001.

ADSL providers in Singapore include:

Cable broadband providers:

[edit] South Korea

South Korea one of the highest penetration rates for broadband in the world (25.3 per 100 inhabitants at the end of December 2005). In January 2004, the total number of Internet users in Korea reached 28.6 million - 62% of the population. The vast majority of South Korean broadband users subscribe to ADSL, though cable modem usage has increased significantly since 2004.

South Korea leads the number of DSL connections per head world-wide. ADSL is standard, but VDSL has started growing quickly. ADSL commonly offers speeds of 2 Mbps to 8 Mbps, with VDSL accordingly faster. The large proportion of South Korea's population living in apartment blocks helps the spread of DSL, as does a high penetration of consumer electronics in general. Special "Cyber" Apartment buildings have speeds of up to 100 Mbps at about 30000 Won a month (US$30). VDSL is commonly found in newer apartments while ADSL is normally found in landed properties where the telephone exchange is far away. The Internet has a higher status for many Koreans than it does in the West, and the government actively supports this.

[edit] Sri Lanka

ADSL was introduced to Sri Lanka in 2003 by provider Sri Lanka Telecom.

The average speed is 512/128 kbps, costing Rs. 2500+VAT per month for an unmetered flat rate. This is the standard for SLT and resellers. Faster connections up to 2 Mbps are available, but the price is considerably higher (Rs. 6500 for 2 Mbps). The service is available within the Greater Colombo area, Kandy,Galle and extending.

[edit] Syria

ADSL service in Syria has become available since 2003 and is provided by the Syrian Internet Service Provider 190 which is backed by the Syrian Telecom.

Available ADSL speeds with typical monthly prices:

  • 256 kbps at cost of SP2400 (~US$46).
  • 512 kbps at cost of SP3700 (~US$70).
  • 1 Mbps at cost of SP5900 (~US$110).
  • 2 Mbps at cost of SP9800 (~US$185).
  • 4 Mbps at cost of SP17000 (~US$315).
  • 8 Mbps at cost of SP29800 (~US$555).

Installation costs SP2000 (~US$39) and is paid once only.

Syrian Telecom is cooperating with a Chinese company to improve the infrastructure which might lead to much better prices and the introduction of higher speeds.

[edit] Thailand

Thailand is continuously having a rapid growth in the number of ADSL subscribers. After 2002, when the Thai government has announced its policy on making access to the internet cheaper, the huge number of the population of Thailand started using internet, as dial-up connections were available for free to the public. After a while, local telecommunication companys such as TOT, CAT, TT&T and True had started a low-cost ADSL service. The connection speed varied around 256/128kbps to 512/128kbps with the price around 550 Baht per month ($15 U.S. Dollars). However, the quality of the service was in debate especially the speed of the international connection.

Currently, Thailand has almost 80% of ADSL coverage but only a small number of the population of the country subscribes to the service. The majority of them are those who live in Bangkok and other major cities in Thailand. The price of the service is lowered with the combination of other integrated services such as VoIP, free-online gaming membership, IPTV, etc. The variety of the speed is now from 256/128kbps to 8/1mbps. The price is now from 250 to 4000 Baht per month.

Online gaming, video news archives, HDTV and internet socialization are the things that create such rapid growth of broadband internet in Thailand.

[edit] Europe

[edit] Belarus

Belarus has state monopoly Beltelecom for Internet access, and extremely expensive ADSL channels cost. Trademark Byfly was introduced by Beltelecom in 2006. The following channels with not guaranteed channel bandwidth are proposed:

  • 1024/512 kbps - ~$984
  • 512/128 kbps - ~$409
  • 256/128 kbps - ~$245

There are also packages with per-traffic cost.

A bunch of small commercial ISPs also offer unlimited and per-traffic ADSL/Cable modem access (mostly in Minsk); all of them forced to rent channels from Beltelecom and offer analogous prices mostly for per-traffic packages (average cost is about $40 per gigabyte of traffic in 2006).

[edit] Belgium

ADSL first appeared in Belgium in 1999, named Turboline. The first network was set up by Belgian telecom operator Belgacom and has been expanding ever since. In 2004 nearly 90% of the entire territory has access to ADSL from Belgacom. Belgacom daughter company Skynet was the first officially supported ADSL provider, but now many more have gained popularity. Download speed is usually capped around 4 Mbps, though faster services are now becoming available (including 17 Mbps VDSL from Skynet). Many ISPs, notably Skynet, have bandwidth caps in place to limit the amount of data users can transfer through their connection.

Alongside the Belgacom ADSL network, several operators like Scarlet, Mobistar and Versatel have created a secondary network, based on local loop unbundling. These networks have higher download and upload rates, sometimes up to the maximum 8 Mbps.

Belgium also has cable networks. The biggest one started by Telenet in 1997 which covers almost all of Flanders. Speeds vary from 20 Mbps to 512 kbps down.

[edit] Bulgaria

ADSL was introduced in Bulgaria after the privatization of the state monopoly BTC (Bulgarian Telecommunications Company) in 2004. Since then the availability has been widely increased and today (February 2006) it is offered in 140 towns and villages around the country. With the liberalization of the telecommunications market it is expected that other companies currently offering broadband Internet by other means will begin offering ADSL in the near future. The BTC price of the most popular packages with one year contract as of January 2007 is as follows:

  • 1024/256 kbps, Unlimited, - ~€20
  • 2048/512 kbps, Unlimited, - ~€25

As of December 31, 2006 the service is available to customers in 208 towns and villages. A map of the service areas can be seen here.

In the city of Sofia many internet service providers have build their own MANs. They offer very fast and cheap Internet (12Mb-30$ 5Mb-7$), making it easy for every home user in the city to have broadband access to the internet.

[edit] Croatia

In Croatia ADSL was introduced in 2000. It is controlled by monopoly operator T-Com [21], which is former HT (Hrvatski telekom meaning Croatian telecom). Local loop is expected to be unbundling after 01.09.2006. so we will se 2-3 companies offering ADSL2+ Internet Access and TriplePlay.

T-Com adsl  :

Prices :

  • 1024/192 kbps from 11 euros + data package
  • 2048/256 kbps from 28 euros + data package
  • 3072/384 kbps from 51 euro + data package

Data Packages:

  • 1024 MB 3 euros
  • 5120 MB 8 euros
  • Flat rate 27 euro

Croatia also has Cable Internet available, however it is not as widespread as ADSL. There are four Cable internet providers:

Prices:

DCM d.o.o. [22]

Xnet Cable Internet

Unlimited package* - with fair usage policy

  • Mistral Light 192/100 kbps - 13 Euro
  • Mistral 384/160 kbps - 20 Euro
  • Scirocco 768/200 kbps - 32 Euro
  • Bora 1850/300 kbps - 47 Euro
  • Typhoon 3256/400 kbps - 75 Euro

Limited package

  • Xnet XPRESS 1250/200 kbps - 14 Euro - 1.5 GB of data package included
  • Additional 256 MB of data package 1,34 Euro

Adriatic d.o.o. [23] in cooperation with Globalnet [24]

Unlimited package - with fair usage policy

  • 256/64 - 14 Euro
  • 512/128 - 25 Euro
  • 1024/192 - 38 Euro

Amis telekom [25]

All speeds are Flat rate + telephone

  • 1024/256 - 20 Euros
  • 2048/384 - 28 Euros
  • 3076/512 - 35 Euros
  • 4096/768 - 41 Euro

Transintercom d.o.o. [26]

Unlimited package - with fair usage policy

  • TIC 128 MAXI 128/64 kbps - 26 Euro
  • TIC 256 MAXI 256/64 kbps - 42 Euro
  • TIC 512 MAXI 512/128 kbps - 76 Euro
  • TIC 768 optimal 768/128 kbps - 126 Euro

Limited package

  • TIC 384 MINI 384/64 kbps 14 Euro - 512 MB of data package included
  • TIC 768 MINI 768/128 kbps - 30 Euro - 512 MB of data package included
  • Additional 512 MB of data package 2,8 Euro

Magic Telekom d.o.o. [27]

Unlimited Packages

  • Flat1 256/128 kbps - 25 Euro
  • Flat2 512/128 kbps - 52 Euro

Limited Packages

  • Surf0 512/128 kbps - 11 Euro - 1 GB of data package included
  • Surf1 1024/128 kbps - 18 Euro - 2 GB of data package included
  • Surf2 2048/256 kbps - 35 Euro - 3 GB of data package included
  • Additional 1 GB of data package 2,8 Euro until 10 GB is reached
  • Additional 1 MB of data package 1,37 Euro for over 10 GB

Some providers charge Cable modem rental and it goes from 2 Euro to 4 Euro per month.

WiMax - Wireless internet access over WiMax standard

Novi net d.o.o. [28]

Unlimited packages

wDSL

  • 768/384 kbps 26,25 Euro
  • 1024/384 kbps 34,58 Euro
  • 2048/384 kbps 48,47 Euro
  • 3096/768 kbps 90,13 Euro

All packages contain

  • flatrate
  • web hosting 25 mb space
  • 5 mailbox with 20 mb space
  • 10 mail aliasa

wDSL Pro

  • 512/512 kbps 38,75 Euro
  • 1024/1024 kbps 67,91 Euro
  • 2048/2048 kbps 116,52 Euro
  • 2304/2304 kbps 124,86 Euro

All packages contain

  • flatrate
  • web hosting 100 mb space
  • 50 mailbox 100 mb space (name@company.nnpro.net)
  • 100 mail aliasa (in total)
  • web domena (http://company.nnpro.net)
  • you can also have your own domain (.hr/.com etc...)

TriplePlay

Vodatel d.o.o. [29] - FTTH (Fiber To The Home)

Basic package for 27 Euro contains

  • 2 telephone lines
  • 120 minuts of free telephone conversations
  • 2/2 Mbps internet access - 2 GB of data package included
  • 20 Digital TV channels for watching on your PC
  • 5 e-mail addresses
  • 100 MB e-mail space
  • Additional Dial Up Access
  • Antispam protection
  • Antivirus & Firewall protection

There is also upgrade plan for internet

  • 5/5 Mbps - 28 Euro + basic package - 5 GB of data package included
  • 10/10 Mbps - 42 Euro + basic package - 10 GB of data package included
  • Additional 512 MB of data package 1,38 Euro
  • For unlimited data package you have to add another 14 Euro per month

Optika kabel d.o.o. [30] and PrimaTel d.o.o. [31]

Basic package for 27 Euro contains

  • 2 telephone lines with free calls inside PrimaTel network
  • 1024/256 kbps internet access - 1 GB of data package included
  • 40 TV channels

Other Limited packages not in TriplePlay

  • 1024/192 kbps - 11 Euro - 1 GB of data package included
  • 2048/256 kbps - 25 Euro - 1 GB of data package included
  • 3072/386 kbps - 48 Euro - 1 GB of data package included

Package rates for TriplePlay and other packages:

  • 1 GB 11 Euro per month
  • 2 GB 5 Euro per month
  • 5 GB 13 Euro per month
  • 10 GB 22 Euro per month
  • FLAT 34 Euro per month

[edit] Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic, ADSL became commercially available at the beginning of 2003 by then-monopoly operator Český Telecom with basic speeds from 192/64 kbps to 1024/256 kbps. Because of low cable penetration and low WiFi penetration, it became a quick success even with high prices (~€350 per month for 1024/256 kbit). At the beginning of 2004, local loop unbundling began, and alternative operator Telenor offered ADSL (and also SDSL) via its network with speeds up to 4096/384 kbps. This, and later privatisation of Cesky Telecom helped drive down prices.

As of January 2006, ADSL is offered in many variants, both with data limit and without with speeds up to 5120/512 kbps. Some operators started offering ADSL2 technology via LLU (although on ADSL1 speeds) at the end of 2005, with Czech Telecom planning full speed ADSL2(+) later this year.

On July 1, 2006, Český Telecom was renamed to Telefónica O2 Czech Republic.

The typical ADSL connection in Czech Republic is 512/128 kbps with a data limit of 3 - 10 GB. Speeds, data limits, Fair User Policy (limiting link speed based on amount of transferred data) and overbooking vary per each ISP, but basically, settings offered are:

Telefónica O2 Czech Republic Network

  • 512/128 kbps, 2 GB, 1:50 - ~€14
  • 2048/256 kbps, 10 GB, 1:50 - ~€24
  • 4096/512 kbps, 20 GB, 1:50 - ~€39
  • 512/128 kbps, no limit, 1:50 - ~€31
  • 2048/256 kbps, no limit, 1:50 - ~€39

Telenor Network

  • 1024/256, no limit, 1:40 - ~€24
  • 2048/256, no limit, 1:40 - ~€35
  • 4096/384, no limit, 1:40 - ~€64
Distance (CTc operator):

from 3/2005:
to 2400 m - max. full speed 4096 kbps
to 3400 m - max. 2048/256 kbps
to 6500 m - max. 1024/256 kbps
to 7300 m - max. 512/128 kbps
to 8200 m - max. 256/64 kbps

to 3/2005:
256/64 kbps to max 3,8 km
512/128 kbps to 3,4 km,
1024/256 kbps to 3 km.

[edit] Denmark

ADSL was introduced commercially to Denmark in winter 1999. The service has been rolled out very extensively and the national coverage is now above 97% of the Danish population. There are several ISPs in Denmark but only a few own their own infrastructure (The last mile is owned solely by the former state monopoly TDC), namely TDC, Cybercity and to some extent Tele2 (who acquired their xDSL infrastructure from Tiscali in February 2005).

In the recently published OECD Broadband Statistics June 2006 Denmark is now leading the OECD broadband penetration with a penetration of 29.3 subscribers per 100 inhabitants.

More information can be found here (in order of market share):

ADSL2+ providers:

Power Companies providing fiber broadband:

[edit] Finland

First ADSL line providers started in 2000. A typical ADSL connection in Finland is 512/512 kbps or 1024/512 kbps and it costs €20 to €30 per month.

Some ADSL Line Providers:

In the city of Oulu, Oulun Puhelin Plc (OPOY) has for a longer time offered full-rate ADSL (8/1 Mbps) and VDSL (10/10 Mbps, actually Cisco Long Reach Ethernet).

With aggressive marketing, Saunalahti brought full-rate ADSL (8/1 Mbps) to the capital area and Turku on 2004-08-03. Saunalahti announced ADSL2 services (12 Mbps) on 2004-10-21, available in the capital area and Turku. Saunalahti also announced the first ever ADSL2+ services (24 Mbps) in Nordic countries on 2004-11-15, first available only in the Tampere region.

Sonera provides 10/10mbit Cisco Long Reach Ethernet in apartment buildings for prices ranging from 40€ to 50€. Sonera has also started to install fiber optic cables in major areas of Finland which will provide up to a speed of 100/10mbit, which is also available only to apartment buildings.

[edit] France

In metropolitan France, intense competition between Internet service providers has led to the introduction of moderately-priced high speed ADSL up to 60 Mbps (erenis) for 29,90€ per month, often including other services such as unlimited free VoIP telephone communications to land lines, and digital television. Conventional dial-up Internet is increasingly considered as outdated. Iliad is expected to launch a FTTH service on early January 2007 up to 100 mbps France Telecom is testing FTTH technology in Paris with a large 2.5 down/1.2 up Gbit/s backbone. This service is available for 70€/month.[5]

Lines

On the 30 June 2006, France had 11.1 million broadband connections, of which 94% are ADSL subscribers, a 3.2 million lines or 41% increase from a year before.[6] This makes France the second largest ADSL market in Europe. At the end of 2005, 30% of those DSL lines were unbundled, and 37% of those unbundled lines were totally unbundled without any direct invoicing of the historical operator and a greater progression rate than partial unbundling.[7] At the end of September 2005, more than 95% of the population can have a DSL connection, albeit some of them only 512/128.

Furthermore, actual Internet transfer rates may stay far behind the advertised DSL connection speed, depending on the subscriber's home distance to the DSLAM. While a connection of 20 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload may give transfer rates of only roughly 2 Mbps (200 kB/s) or less download and 500 kbps (50 kB/s) upload (to various servers in France, Germany and USA, academic and hosting services), other people have no problem reaching the advertised speed.[citation needed]

ADSL Market

Wanadoo, now known in France as Orange SA, a subsidiary of France Telecom, is the leader with half of the market with 49.5%, helped by the reputation and availability of physical shops of the incumbent operator to overcome slightly higher prices because of its obligation of using fixed prices. Other operators shares the rest, with the first being Free (subsidiary of Iliad) with 17.9% (18.2% at the end of Q2 2006[8]) of the market, just above Neuf Telecom (Louis Dreyfus Group) which merged his ADSL activities with Cegetel (Vivendi Universal) with 13.2%.[9] Then came the other operators: Alice (Telecom Italia) which bought Tiscali, for 6.1%, Club internet (Deutsche Telekom) for 4.4%, AOL, Tele2, and small operators, frequently virtual. The trend is a slow augmentation for the challengers at the expense of Wanadoo.

ADSL Offers

The market is oriented towards stopping the price war, and offering more services at a price around 30€, slightly more for the incumbent operator:

  • maximum throughput permitted by the line, either 8 Mbps (maximum of ADSL) or 24 Mbps (maximum of ADSL2+) depending on the line length and type of DSLAM
  • unlimited telephony to land lines in Europe, North America (even mobile phones), China and India
  • television with the broadcasting of the young terrestrial digital TV and paid satellite TV

Those triple play offers were initiated by Free with the Freebox modem, and are expanding to all major players, driving the French market.[10]

As the market matures, it is beginning to open to smaller "boutique" broadband suppliers that specialize in meeting the needs of specific market segments. For example, Teleconnect France has introduced an AngloPack ADSL/VOIP service for the 250,000 English-speaking expats residing in France, featuring 20MB/sec connection speeds; free calls to the UK, USA and other anglophone countries; provision of a local UK number permitting a user's family and friends to call the user's VOIP line in France at the cost of a local call; and full customer service in English. Teleconnect is the only broadband service provider in France with an English help desk.

First prices between 15€ and 20€ per month remain for a small usage with limited throughput around one megabit per second (but often ADSL2 max in unbundled zones). Those prices can also be attained with complete unbundling, saving the monthly 15€ for the POTS subscription while retaining the triple play services. Those offers of naked DSL are also available in non-unbundled areas, and can led to the economy of the traditional telephone subscription.[11][12]

ADSL Technology

After selling the first ADSL2+ offers in Europe, providing a speed of 18 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up in 2004, French operators continue to offer new services, driven by the competition. It is possible to use video telephony, video on demand, Reach Extended ADSL for 8 km lines soon. Experiments aren't any more the Iliad/Free trademark: they recently demonstrated an aggregated 174 Mbps link,[13] while Telecom Italia innovates on the service with a free hotline and France Telecom is pushing VDSL.

In December 2005, Free enabled a TV multicasting service on the customer's local network, an open solution based on RTSP.[14] This completes the media center capability of the freebox, also using the VideoLAN project.[15] They launched on April 2006 a new Freebox divided in two devices with DVB-T and HDTV capabilities and a Mimo WiFi network.[16]

Quadruple play, triple play with mobile communications, is available: neuf cegetel is selling for 200€ and 1€ with a plan Twin,[17] a GSM/WiFi hybrid telephone after the experimental beautifulphone, by the means of a QTek 8300 and Wanadoo sells Unik, a Motorola, Nokia or Samsung handset for 100€.[18] Free develops a wifi mesh network of HD freeboxes to be used to provide mobile telephony and compete with traditional cellular operators.

[edit] Germany

DSL Providers

As of December 2006, Deutsche Telekom has more than 10 million DSL customers in Germany (called T-DSL), making Germany one of the top DSL countries. T-DSL has a number of resellers, and many ISPs providing service for it. Alternatively, there are DSL providers in Germany which have their own DSL network and only rent the copper lines, e.g. Arcor, QSC, AliceDSL and Telefonica.

Deutsche Telekom offers T-DSL (price base: month):

  • 1024/128 (€17)
  • 2048/192 (€20)
  • 6016/576 (€25)
  • 16000/1024 (€30)

A telephone contract with Deutsche Telekom (16€ analogue, 25€ ISDN) is required.

Major resellers of T-DSL are T-Online and 1&1, and all have identical prices for T-DSL so far.

! (except: Freenet.de they take for 2048/192 just 17€ - like others will take for 1024/128) ! (6016/576 even cost just 19.99€ and the tarif for the flat is 0€)

These prices do not include ISP fees, which are typically an additional €5-10 (flatrate, all speeds) and vary, also depending on location. Such ISPs include T-Online, Congster (both Deutsche Telekom), 1&1 and GMX (both United Internet), all of which use/resell the T-Com IP backbone (though 1&1 has been using Telefónica's network for their 16 Mbps service).

Actual Internet transfer rates via the T-Com IP backbone are typically close to the maximum of the DSL connection speed, including connections to the USA (as long as the actual server permits it, of course).

Arcor offers 2048/192 (€15), 6144/640 (€20), 16128/800 (€23). These prices already include the ISP flatrate, but require a telephone contract with Arcor.

Telefonica has its own DSL infrastructure with 40% coverage based on line sharing and its own backbone, formerly MediaWays. It is used in part by AOL (4th with 1 million customers) and Freenet, but Telefonica itself does not sell to endusers in Germany. AOL uses T-DSL where Telefonica has no coverage.

QSC offers Q-DSL home with 1,5 or 2,5 Mbps combined download and upload speed, and the customer chooses how much of it is upload. Prices are 30 and 40 €/month, respectively, plus activation fee.

Deutsche Telekom/T-Com is building a VDSL network in summer 2006, but there is political quarrel, because they demand exemption from regulation, which the current German government wants to allow, but the EU does not accept. It is supposed to offer up to 50 Mbps download, 10 Mbps speeds and intended to be used with proprietary digital TV offers, including live football games (Bundesliga).

The market is very much in movement, prices dropping and new technologies emerging rapidly, but some offers have very long contract terms of 1 or 2 years.

Coverage is not very good, many towns with a few thousand people have no DSL offers.

Alternative technologies

Connection technologies other than DSL are not widely used in Germany so far, due to a lack of viable offers, but are starting to get interesting.

Until recently, Cable Internet was not available, because the cable TV infrastructure was owned by Deutsche Telekom, which pushed DSL and neglected the cable network. It was sold after political pressure a few years ago, now owned by Kabel Deutschland, Kabel BW, ish etc. (separated geographically), which slowly invest into upgrading the cable network's bandwidth/capacity and making it 2-way-capable. Kabel Deutschland offers 2 Mbps for 20€/month (30 €/month for 10 Mbps) on top of the cable TV fee.

Satellite links can be used by those who are not covered by DSL or other technologies. It is called e.g. T-DSL Satellite or skyDSL, which are one-way links based on DVB-S and require an uplink via dialup, which often has to be paid by minute. Some offers with two-way satellite connections exist for consumers. Satellite inherently has high latency, and is thus second choice for most people.

UMTS is becoming an interesting alternative where available, at speeds of up to 384 kbps download and 64 kbps upload, particularly since E-Plus/Base offers a true mobile flatrate for roughly 50€/month. O2 has an offer based on UMTS/GSM, but limited to the home, called Genion Homezone. The big mobile providers T-Mobile and Vodafone now offer tariffs with 5 Gbyte/month of data transfer included, with the advantage of HSDPA (up to 1,8 Mbps download) availability on all UMTS nodes.

[edit] Greece

ADSL appeared commercially in Greece in 2003, and is currently the only broadband standard that exists in the country except for Satellite Internet.

The incumbent telecom operator, OTE, which was not the first operator to launch ADSL services in the country, has been accused of deliberately stalling ADSL deployment for three years, in order to continue charging users with high per-minute dial-up charges for as long as possible (flat-rate dial-up connections do not exist in Greece). OTE has also been criticized for artificially limiting the number of packets passing per second through an ADSL line, thus making VoIP services over its broadband network unusable and unreliable. This, in conjunction to OTE's high phone rates, is thought to be an effort, however illegal, to protect OTE's dwindling landline market share.

Typical download/upload speeds available over OTE's network are 768/192, 1024/256 and 2048/256 Kbps.

Faster data rates (up to 20 Mbps) are provided by other telecom operators via Local loop unbundling (LLU).

ADSL Access Providers in Greece:

  • OTE, the incumbent telecom operator and former state monopoly.
  • Vivodi Telecom, a private company utilizing LLU since 2003, covers four (4) major cities (Athens, Thessaloniki, Patra, Herakleion) at the moment, but intends to keep only its activitities in Athens. Vivodi offers triple play services based on ADSL2+, with speeds up to 20 Mbps, VoIP telephony and digital television. The company is currently testing Quadruple play.
  • Tellas, an affiliate of WIND (Italy), offers ADSL through its LLU network in the Athens Metropolitan Area, with speeds up to 4Mbps/512Kbps.
  • Hellas On Line, owned by the Greek-Russian network equipment manufacturer Intracom, offers up to 8Mbps/512Kbps ADSL2+ connections in Athens. In the past HOL has been accused of actively using traffic shaping in order to grind its P2P traffic to a near standstill. This was attributed to HOL's low overall bandwidth-to-user ratio.
  • Forthnet, the largest privately-owned telecommunications provider in Greece, launched its based on LLU offers in early 2007, and is supposed to have covered about 50% of the Greek population by year end.
  • On Telecoms, a totally new entrant in the Greek telecoms market set up by Greek and Italian managers and entrepreneurs amongst which some of the founders of Fastweb in Italy, pioneer in triple play in Europe. On Telecoms launched its services in January 2007, using a fully owned infrastructure and LLU as its last-mile medium. On Telecoms offers speeds up to 10Mbps/512Kbps (up to 15Mbps/1.5Mbps to Businesses).
  • Teledom, a small company which started offering LLU services from March 2007.


Main ADSL Internet Providers (ISPs) through OTE's ADSL network (bitstream access):

  • Otenet, OTE's affiliate ISP.
  • Forthnet (see above)
  • Vivodi Telecom (see above)
  • Hellas On Line (see above)
  • Tellas (see above)
  • Altec Telecoms, a small but innovative ISP.


Approximate Prices for unlimited usage* offers:

OTE bitstream + ISP - 768/192 Kbps ~ 18-22 €/month

OTE bitstream + ISP - 1024/256 Kbps ~ 22-25 €/month

OTE bitstream + ISP - 2048/256 Kbps ~ 30-36 €/month

Vivodi shared LLU - 2048/256 Kbps, 29 €/month (119€ for 6 months, 199€ for 12 months)

Vivodi shared LLU - 4096/256 Kbps, 49 €/month (139€ for 6 months, 239€ for 12 months)

HOL shared LLU - 3Mbps/256Kbps, 19.59 €/month on a 12-month contract

HOL shared LLU - 4Mbps/512Kbps, 23.87 €/month on a 12-month contract

HOL shared LLU - 8Mbps/512Kbps, 39.33 €/month on a 12-month contract

*No fair usage policies apply.

**All above prices require an OTE fixed line connection (about 15 €/month).


Vivodi, Tellas, Forthnet and On Telecoms give the possibility to stop paying for OTE's fixed line service, with their full LLU offers, the most interesting of which are the following:

Vivodi

ADSL 1024/256 Kbps + VoIP phone service + 500 inclusive minutes, 29.75 €/month

ADSL2+ up to 20Mbps/512Kbps + VoIP phone service + unlimited national calls + IPTV, 33 €/month

Tellas

ADSL 4Mbps/512Kbps + phone line (not VoIP), 29.95 €/month

ADSL 4Mbps/512Kbps + phone line (not VoIP) + unlimited national calls, 46.95 €/month

Forthnet

ADSL 10Mbps/512Kbps + phone line (not VoIP) + unlimited national calls, 39.90 €/month.

On Telecoms

ADSL2+ up to 10Mbps/512Kbps + phone line (not VoIP) + unlimited call traffic for national and international destinations with per call charge of 9 euro cents + IP Television + Wireless modem router + HD ready set top box, 35 €/month

All above prices include VAT

[edit] Hungary

ADSL appeared in Hungary in 2001, and ADSL2+ in late 2005.
The main broadband internet providers are: T-Com/T-Online (formerly Matáv), Chello(UPC), Invitel, Externet, Emitel, Monortel, Pantel, TVnet, TvNetWork. Smaller providers mainly available in the city of Budapest, like TigerNet or HDSnet.
The number of the subscribers in Hungary has reached 1 million in January 2007.

[edit] ADSL

[edit] T-Online
Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
ADSL Light 1024/128 Kbits/s €15 per month 1 GB After reaching the limit the price increases €4 by every 1GB.
This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
ADSL Light 1024/128 Kbits/s €27 per month 1 GB After reaching the limit the price increases €4 by every 1GB.
One time fee: €39
ADSL Optimum 1024/128 Kbits/s €23 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
ADSL Optimum 1024/128 Kbits/s €35 per month Unlimited One time fee: €39.
ADSL Premium 4096/256 Kbits/s €31 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
ADSL Premium 4096/256 Kbits/s €43 per month Unlimited One time fee: €39.
ADSL Maximum 8192/512 Kbits/s €39 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
ADSL Maximum 8192/512 Kbits/s €51 per month Unlimited One time fee: €39.

Line rental is not included!
This chart is valid since 15th January 2007. (source)

[edit] Externet
Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
Alfa 1024/128 Kbits/s €18 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
PrePaid Alfa 1024/128 Kbits/s €16 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
If you choose PrePaid option, all the 12 months are payable at once.
Bravo 4096/256 Kbits/s €26 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
PrePaid Bravo 4096/256 Kbits/s €24 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
If you choose PrePaid option, all the 12 months are payable at once.
Charlie 8192/512 Kbits/s €33 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
PrePaid Charlie 8192/512 Kbits/s €31 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
If you choose PrePaid option, all the 12 months are payable at once.

Line rental is not included! (source)

PowerDSL (= multi-line adsl)

Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
PowerDSL 36864/2048 Kbits/s N/A Unlimited -

(source)

[edit] TVnet
Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
S 1024/128 Kbits/s €21 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
M 4096/256 Kbits/s €26 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
L 8192/512 Kbits/s €37 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
XXL 18432/1024 Kbits/s €138 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.

Line rental is not included! (source)

[edit] TvNetWork
Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
Happy 1280/160 Kbits/s N/A 1 GB This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
After reaching the limit the price increases 1 Huf (Hungarian forint) by every 1 MB ~ (€1 by every 250MB).
Maximum connect-able to 1 computer.
Happy 1280/160 Kbits/s N/A Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
Maximum connect-able to 1 computer.
Classic 4480/256 Kbits/s N/A 1 GB This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
After reaching the limit the price increases 1 Huf (Hungarian forint) by every 1 MB ~ (€1 by every 250MB).
Maximum connect-able to 1 computer.
Classic 4480/256 Kbits/s N/A Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
Maximum connect-able to 1 computer.
Comfort 8096/480 Kbits/s N/A 1 GB This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
After reaching the limit the price increases 1 Huf (Hungarian forint) by every 1 MB ~ (€1 by every 250MB).
Maximum connect-able to 2 computers.
Comfort 8096/480 Kbits/s N/A Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
Maximum connect-able to 2 computers.
Bonus 18432/960 Kbits/s N/A 1 GB This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
After reaching the limit the price increases 1 Huf (Hungarian forint) by every 1 MB ~ (€1 by every 250MB).
Unlimited computer connect-able.
Bonus 18432/960 Kbits/s N/A Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
Unlimited computer connect-able.

Line rental is not included!
This chart is valid from 1st March 2007. (source)

[edit] ADSL2+

[edit] TVnet

ADSL 3G

Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
S 2048/224 Kbits/s €25 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
M 5120/448 Kbits/s €26 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
L 8192/608 Kbits/s €35 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
XL 12288/896 Kbits/s €43 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
XXL 18432/1024 Kbits/s €98 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.

Line rental is not necessary! (source)

[edit] Cable

[edit] Chello (UPC)
Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
MINIMUM 1280/256 Kbits/s €22 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
MEDIUM 5120/768 Kbits/s €31 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
EXTREME 10240/1024 Kbits/s €39 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
PROFESSIONAL 20480/1024 Kbits/s €66 per month Unlimited This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.

This chart is valid from 1st March 2007. (source)

[edit] T-Kábel
Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
Kábelnet Light 512/N/A Kbits/s €15 per month 1 GB One time fee: €23.
This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
Kábelnet Optimum 1024/N/A Kbits/s €23 per month Unlimited One time fee: €23.
This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
Kábelnet Prémium 1024/N/A Kbits/s €31 per month Unlimited One time fee: €23.
This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.
Kábelnet Maximum 2048/N/A Kbits/s €39 per month Unlimited One time fee: €23.
This price is valid in the case of a one-year contract.

(source)

[edit] HDSNET
Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
HDSNET-512 512/256 Kbits/s €11 per month Unlimited No any gifts.
HDSNET-1024 1024/512 Kbits/s €15 per month Unlimited No any gifts.
HDSNET-1536 1536/768 Kbits/s €19 per month Unlimited Gift: Every new subscriber get a new computer. The details of the computer: see below!
HDSNET-2048 2048/1024 Kbits/s €23 per month Unlimited Gift: Every new subscriber get a new computer. The details of the computer: see below!

Gift computer details:

  • Processor: Intel Celeron 2.6 GHz
  • Mainboard: MSI PM8M3-V
  • Memory: 256MB RAM
  • Video card: S3G (integrated)
  • Hard disk: 80GB HDD
  • CD/DVD: SONY CD-RW
  • Audio: AC97 comp. (integrated)
  • Other: keyboard, mouse.

(source)

[edit] Ethernet UTP

[edit] TigerNET
Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
64kbit/s 64/64 Kbits/s €14 per month Unlimited -
256kbit/s 256/256 Kbits/s €19 per month Unlimited -
1Mbit/s 1024/1024 Kbits/s €24 per month Unlimited -
4Mbit/s 4096/4096 Kbits/s €28 per month Unlimited -
8Mbit/s 8192/8192 Kbits/s €36 per month Unlimited -
16Mbit/s 16384/16384 Kbits/s €47 per month Unlimited -
24Mbit/s 24576/24576 Kbits/s €59 per month Unlimited -
48Mbit/s 49152/49152 Kbits/s €83 per month Unlimited -
80Mbit/s 81920/81920 Kbits/s €107 per month Unlimited -

This provider available at the 13th District of Budapest. (source)

[edit] TvNetWork
Package name Bandwidth Price Limit Note
VARIO 6144/2048 Kbits/s €18 per month 1 GB and 30 GB After reaching the limit, price'll increase.
The increased price depending on the downloaded data: +1-3 GB = +€6 or +3-5 GB = +€14 or +5-or-more GB = +€30.
After reaching the 30 GB limit, the bandwidth will be limited to 128/64 Kbit/s.
One time fee is €60, but in the case of a one-year contract there is no any one time fee.
FIX 6144/2048 Kbits/s €40 per month 30 GB After reaching the limit, the bandwidth will be limited to 128/64 Kbit/s.
One time fee is €60, but in the case of a one-year contract there is no any one time fee.
LANNET Y 128/64 Kbits/s €8 per month Unlimited One time fee is €60, but in the case of a one-year contract there is no any one time fee.
LANNET X 512/128 Kbits/s €16 per month Unlimited One time fee is €60, but in the case of a one-year contract there is no any one time fee.
LANNET A 1024/384 Kbits/s €24 per month Unlimited One time fee is €60, but in the case of a one-year contract there is no any one time fee.
LANNET B 2048/512 Kbits/s €32 per month Unlimited One time fee is €60, but in the case of a one-year contract there is no any one time fee.
LANNET C 3072/768 Kbits/s €40 per month Unlimited One time fee is €60, but in the case of a one-year contract there is no any one time fee.
LANNET D 6144/2048 Kbits/s €71 per month Unlimited One time fee is €60, but in the case of a one-year contract there is no any one time fee.

(source)

[edit] 3G/CDMA 2000-EvDO/WCDMA/HSPDA

See also Mobile Internet access worldwide!

[edit] Pannon

Pannon offers: HSDPA/3G/EDGE/GPRS solutions to use your cell phone to connect to the Internet.
Technologies: WCDMA (=Wideband Code Division Multiple Access other name: „UMTS”), CDMA 2000, CDMA TDD.
The 3G sevice available in major cities! These cities are: Budapest, Debrecen, Nyíregyháza, Miskolc, Kecskemét, Szeged, Pécs, Siófok, Veszprém, Székesfehérvár, Tatabánya, Szombathely, Győr.
Coverage:
Country Map
Budapest Map
GSM Map

Package name Limit Monthly fee Price after reaching the limit Note
Peak hours Off-peak
MobilAdat Start 0 MB Free 3 Eurocent / 10 KB 3 Eurocent / 10 KB -
MobilAdat 3 3 MB €2 2 Eurocent / 10 KB 2 Eurocent / 10 KB -
MobilAdat 50 50 MB €8 1 Eurocent / 10 KB 0.3 Eurocent / 10 KB -
MobilAdat 250 250 MB €15.5 0.7 Eurocent / 10 KB 0.2 Eurocent / 10 KB -
MobilAdat 500 500 MB €27.5 0.3 Eurocent / 10 KB 0.09 Eurocent / 10 KB -
MobilAdat 1500 1500 MB €51.5 0.2 Eurocent / 10 KB 0.09 Eurocent / 10 KB -

source(Hungarian)
source(English)

[edit] T-Mobile

(GSM/EDGE/3G/HSDPA)
I'm so sorry for the empty datas, but the T-Mobile's official webpage is totally mess, I can't make it out.
The 3G service available in major cities!
Coverage:
Country Map - 3G/HSDPA coverage
Country Map - 3G/HSDPA coverage(PDF ~ 9.5 MB)
Country Map - EDGE coverage
Country Map - EDGE coverage(PDF ~ 6.8 MB)
Country Map - GSM coverage
Country Map - GSM coverage(PDF ~ 0.8 MB)

Package name Limit Monthly fee Price after reaching the limit Note
Peak hours Off-peak Night tariff
Net One N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
Net 50 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
Net 300 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
Net 1000 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
GPRS Net N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
GPRS Net Plusz N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
Mobilinternet Csomag 50 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
Mobilinternet Csomag 300 250 MB €8 0.3 Eurocent / 10 KB 0.15 Eurocent / 10 KB 0.1 Eurocent / 10 KB -
Mobilinternet Csomag 1000 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
Mobilinternet Csomag N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
Mobilinternet Csomag 300 (with extra) 300 MB €22.5 0.3 Eurocent / 10 KB 0.15 Eurocent / 10 KB 0.1 Eurocent / 10 KB -
Műhold-net N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
Domino Net 50 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
Domino Net 300 300 MB €24 0.3 Eurocent / 10 KB 0.15 Eurocent / 10 KB 0.1 Eurocent / 10 KB -
Domino Net 1000 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
GPRS Domino Net N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -
GPRS Domino Net Plusz N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A -

source(Hungarian)
source(English)

[edit] Vodafone

Vodafone offers: HSDPA/3G/EDGE/GPRS solutions to use your cell phone to connect to the Internet.
The 3G sevice available only in the boundary of Budapest!
Coverage:
Budapest 3G Map
Country Map

Package name Limit Monthly fee Price after reaching the limit Note
Vodafone Internet Giga 1 GB €39 +€19 by every 100 MB One-time-fee is €142, but in the case of a
one-year contract there is no any one-time-fee.
Vodafone Internet 200 200 MB
0.5 GB
1 GB		 €12 from 200 MB to 0.5 GB price increases: monthly-fee+€15;
from 0.5 GB to 1 GB price increases: monthly-fee+€15+€24;
after 1 GB, price'll increase monthly-fee+€15+€24 plus €67.5 by every 1 GB		 -
Vodafone Internet 50 50 MB €8 0.2 Eurocent / 10 KB -
Vodafone Internet 100 100 MB €12 (no monthly-fee, it's kind of one-time-fee service) No billing after reaching limit: Vodafone Internet 100'll stop, and you have to subscribe it again! Only for pre-paid subscribers.
Roaming Internet Unlimited Zone-fee Only for post-paid subscribers.
Zone type In preferred networks Other networks
Zone 1 €5 / MB €11 / MB
Zone 2
Zone 3 €11 / MB €12.5 / MB
Zone 4

source(Hungarian)
source(English)

[edit] Iceland

ADSL in Iceland is ADSL2+ (since mid 2005) in the capital and well populated areas and ADSL in other places. Main providers are: Siminn, Vodafone, Hive, BTNet

Siminn

  • 1Mb/4GB ~ 43€
  • 2Mb/6GB ~ 54€
  • 8Mb/Unlimited ~ 65€
  • 12Mb/Unlimited ~ 71€

[edit] Ireland

In Ireland, Eircom began rolling out Broadband in 2002. This continued slowly until last year when the rollout became much more aggressive. As more and more competition has appeared so have the prices dropped, but are still some of the highest in Europe when line rental is taken into account. Local loop unbundling (LLU) increased, but then stalled, with companies like Magnet Networks and Smart Telecom having offered unbundled services, but now cutting back on roll-out. Eircom is still the major beneficiary in the provision of such unbundled services. As in many other countries, localities in rural Ireland are unable to get DSL. Areas around major towns in Ireland, and even some smaller towns, are benefitting from either rollouts of more DSL-enabled exchanges, or wireless Internet services. The government-sponsored Group Broadband Schemes have helped some local communities set up their own internet networks whether with wireless or other technologies. Satellite Internet access is the only choice for some people (termed "Satellite broadband" by some in Ireland for PR reasons), and the broadband for schools programme provided true broadband to just over half the schools in the country (the remainder relying on satellite technology).

Broadband is now available in areas near DSL-enabled exchanges from several companies other than Eircom. These include BT Ireland, Smart Telecom, Clearwire, Magnet Networks and UTV Internet. Several wireless services such as Irish Broadband, Lastmile Broadband and DigiWeb also exist in metropolitan areas, and some towns around the country.

ADSL appeared in Ireland in 2002. By December 2005 around 50% of all homes could in theory get ADSL. By April 2006 90% of households will be "broadband capable", according to Eircom, the largest Broadband provider in the Republic of Ireland. These figures are the source of much debate in Ireland, as other factors mean that possible connections are far lower (those living within the limit of a broadband-enabled exchange may be connected to a non-enabled one, also as of August 2006 about 8% of lines are not suitable for DSL due to distance or because they use line-share technology).

Critics of the state of broadband in Ireland complain of the poor availability, high prices and very low download caps. # Some even claim that true broadband is not really available to the overwhelming majority of domestic consumer at all and describe the services offered by Irish ISP's as "fraudband"

[edit] BT

  • 1024/128 - 10 GB limit - €20 per month
  • 2048/192 - 20 GB limit - €30 per month
  • 3072/384 - 30 GB limit - €40 per month
  • Not including line rental

[edit] Clearwire

  •   512/128 -  5 GB limit - €24.95 per month
  • 1024/256 - 10 GB limit - €39.95 per month
  • 2048/256 - 20 GB limit - €49.95 per month
  • Clearwire shape their traffic under their fair use for all policy

[edit] Digiweb

Wireless Offers

  • 1024/128 - 10 GB limit - €19.99 per month (including line rental)
  • 3072/512 - 30 GB limit - €35.99 per month (including line rental)
  • 5120/1024 - 60 GB limit - €78.65 per month (including line rental)

[edit] Eircom

Consumer packages

  • 1024/128 - 10 GB limit - €24.99 per month
  • 2048/192 - 20 GB limit - €29.99 per month
  • 3072/384 - 30 GB limit - €48.40 per month (Static IP address for €50)

Business packages

  • 3072/384 - 40 GB limit - €45 (excluding VAT) per month
  • 4096/384 - 60 GB limit - €89 (excluding VAT) per month
  • 5120/512 - No download limit - €169 (excluding VAT) per month

[edit] Smart Telecom

Consumer packages (actual prices include line rental of €24.18 which is not included in the prices of other broadband companies (but is charged separately), and so has been removed for comaprison)

  • 4096/384 - No limit - €15.81 per month
  • 6144/512 - No limit - €20.81 per month

[edit] UTV Internet

  • 1024/128 - No download limit - €22.48 per month
  • 2048/192 - No download limit - €26.98 per month
  • 3072/384 - No download limit - €39.99 per month

[edit] Italy

The main Italian Internet providers for consumers as of January 2007 are:

ADSL:

 2M/256K - €19.95/month

ADSL2+ (where available):

20M/384K - €36.95/month

ADSL:

 2M/512K - €32.00/month (wholesale)

ADSL2+ (where available):

 6M/1M   - €32.00/month (fastpath)
20M/1M   - €32.00/month (+€19.00€ one time fee, fastpath)

Optical Fiber (very limited coverage - only a few cities):

10M/10M  - €32.00/month

ADSL:

 2M/256K - €19.95/month
 4M/256K - €29.95/month

ADSL2+ (where available):

 4M/256K - €19.95/month
12M/1M   - €29.95/month

ADSL:

 2M/256K - €19.95/month

ADSL2+ (where available):

 4M/512K - €19.95/month
10M/1M   - €34.95/month (fastpath)
12M/1M   - €29.95/month
24M/1,5M - €39.95/month

ADSL:

 2M/256K - €16.90/month
 4M/256K - €28.95/month

For mobile Internet providers in Italy see Mobile Internet access worldwide.

[edit] Latvia

ADSL services in Latvia are provided by Lattelecom, it's services are very popular. Mājas DSL, is a service for home users. It's speed is 5120/512 kbps and a ADSL2+ version with a speed of 10 Mbps. Both cost 11,80 Ls. An all-in-one deals Mājas komplekts are also available featuring a phone line and free calls to other Lattelecom users and a 2084/512 kbps or a 5120/512 kbps ADSL line for a price of 13,90 Ls and 16,90 Ls accordingly.

[edit] Lithuania

ADSL carrier services in Lithuania are provided by monopoly Teo LT. In the future this service might be used by other ISPs for their retail services. Find more about "Zebra DSL"

  • Prices : down/up
  • 4096/768 for € 25
  • 1024/768 for € 15
  • 256/128 for € 8 *limited

[edit] Malta

Commercial availability of broadband internet, namely through ADSL and cable, has existed since 2000, and is accessible from all areas of the island. As of 2005, ADSL is offered at speeds of 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps download, and 256 kbps and 512 kbps upload. From 9 June maltanet has upgraded all the 2 Mbps customers to 4 Mbps connections. All local ISPs offer these speeds, at varying prices. ADSL bandwidth is received through the Seabone Network and operated by DataStream and Vodafone Malta plc. (which are not ISPs). The bandwidth is then sold to the various ISPs which in turn sell it to customers. As of December 2005, DataStream merged with the ISP maltanet, giving maltanet a competitive edge over other ISPs - both DataStream and maltanet are subsidiaries of the national telephone company, Maltacom.

Cable internet is offered by only one ISP, OnVOL, with speeds available at 2 Mbps and 4 Mbps download, and 256 kbps and 512 kbps upload. OnVOL is a subsidiary of the cable and digital television provider, Melita Cable. The 4 Mbps speed offered by OnVOL via cable is the fastest current connection available for the residential user in Malta. OnVOL also offer the standard ADSL connection as mentioned above, however this is not advertised and apparently only available for businesses.

Broadband connectivity has become very widespread on the island, with many households opting for a broadband connection. Prices vary slightly between ISPs, however, 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps ADSL connections, and 2 Mbps and 4 Mbps cable connections are all very reasonably priced, and therefore affordable to the majority of the population. This is largely due to competition between ISPs, and also special connection plans, targeted towards the household user.

[edit] Montenegro

ADSL became available in Montenegro in 2005. So far, the sole provider of ADSL sevices in Montenegro is T-Crnogorski Telekom. It is becoming increasingly popular option, for the prices are almost the same as if the dial-up acces is used.

Currently, five ADSL options are offered by T-Crnogorski Telekom[32]:

  • ADSL Student - 512/128 kbps, 5 GB per month traffic limit - €20 per month (students only)
  • ADSL Surf - 512/128 kbps, 2 GB per month traffic limit - €20 per month
  • ADSL M - 512/128 kbps, 10 GB per month traffic limit - €35 per month
  • ADSL L - 1024/256 kbps, 20 GB per month traffic limit - €50 per month
  • ADSL XL - 2048/512 kbps, 40 GB per month traffic limit - €100 per month

Note: prices for companies that use ADSL are slightly higher

[edit] Netherlands

The Netherlands has the highest broadband penetration in the European Union. DSL is available for 99% of the population and broadband cable is available for 90% of the population. 57% of Dutch households use a broadband connection. DSL has a market share of 60% and broadband cable a market share of 40%. The market shares of the service providers are stated below. (The figures are from December 2005, unless otherwise stated). Several up- and download rates are available, depending on the network provider.

[edit] DSL

Five DSL network service providers with approx. 2.5 million broadband subscribers (60%):

KPN has nearly 100% coverage and other networks have 50-70% coverage.

KPN has four ISP brands: Direct ADSL, HetNet, Planet and XS4ALL. HetNet and Planet used to be separate companies, but they were bought and integrated into KPN and are now only brand names. KPN has in recent years acquired several other ISPs. None of their brand names were adopted by KPN and they ceased to exist.

XS4ALL is owned, but not run by KPN. XS4ALL was the first ISP in the Netherlands which offered internet access to the general public and is used by KPN as a main innovator and for that reason reserved the right to run its own affairs. KPN has acquired even more customers by XS4ALL taking over ISPs as well. These include Cistron, HCCnet and most recently the Dutch branch of Demon internet.

KPN intends to purchase Tiscali Wholesale but is awaiting approval from the Netherlands Competition Authority (Nederlandse Mededingingsautoriteit) (September 2006).

Typical up- and download rates of KPN:

  • 1500/256 kbps from €21.95 - €29.95
  • 3000/512 kbps from €29.95 - €39.95
  • 6000/768 kbps from €49.95 - €59.95
  • 12000/1024 kbps from €74.95 - €79.95 (only available on local exchanges with ADSL2+ equipment)
  • 20000/1024 kbps for €99,95 (only available on local exchanges with ADSL2+ equipment)

HetNet also offers lower speeds. The first rate is for Direct ADSL (only an internet connection without emailboxes and other services) and the second rate is for XS4ALL (high quality ISP).

For other networks prices tend to be lower and speeds higher:

  • Tele2 offers 20000/1024 kbps with telephony (VoIP) and live soccer games of the Dutch competition (IPTV) for €59.95
  • Orange offers 20000/1024 kbps for €23.95

In 2005 Siemens installed a new ethernet core network for KPN. In the first half of 2006 Alcatel upgraded KPN's DSL equipment for KPN/Planet Internetplusbellen (VoIP), HetNet Surfen & Bellen (VoIP) and KPN Slim (a low cost, flat rate internet connection of 128 kbps with VoIP). For VoIP, costumers get a new modem (KPN Experiabox: Siemens Gigaset SX551 ADSL2+ router with four ethernet ports, WiFi, USB and two telephone ports). This is a direct result of the VoIP services offered by other network providers. In 2007 KPN will also begin to offer Mine (IPTV with VoD). In 2010 KPN plans to offer VDSL on an All-IP network and plans to dismantle the PSTN/POTS network and the local exchanges to compete with the cable companies.

[edit] Cable

The five largest Cable network service providers with approx. 1.6 million broadband subscribers (40%):

  • 15%: @Home
  • 13%: UPC
  • 8%: Casema
  • 3%: Multikabel
  • 2%: Delta

These networks are based on the EuroDOCSIS standard and are VoIP capable based on the PacketCable standard. The three largest cable providers UPC, @Home and Casema have a combined market share of 92% of the broadband cable subscribers. Several other small local cable (internet) providers exist. Typically there is no choice for consumers as to their cable provider, as it is location dependent.

Also for cable networks prices tend to be lower and speeds higher than KPN:

  • UPC offers a maximum speed of 20480/2048 kbps with telephony (VoIP) for €59.95
  • @Home offers a maximum speed of 15000/1200 kbps for €69.95
  • Casema offers a maximum speed of 12500/1050 kbps for €69,95

@Home, Casema and Multikabel are bought by private equity investors and will be combined to form one large cable network (September 2006).

[edit] Norway

ADSL became available to private consumers around late 2000.

Depending on the provider, offered speeds range from 704/128 kbps to as high as 8/1 Mbps for ADSL, while ADSL2+ is slowly becoming available with speeds reaching up to 26/1.5 Mbps.

Prices vary constantly due to fierce competition between providers, but prices can be found as low as 195 NOK (US$30) per month for the most basic ADSL connections, while ADSL2+ is somewhat pricier, it starts at around 499,-(NextGenTel) NOK (US$82) per month. This is in addition to DSL equipment rental and installation fees.

Some major ISPs that provide DSL services in Norway:

There is also a flurry of smaller and local providers all over the country that offer competitive DSL services.

Cable broadband was available before DSL access around 2000.

Cable ISPs:

Triple play solutions over optical fiber are increasing in availability and popularity.

As of the time this is written (October 2006), all known services include unlimited download with no restrictions, with the controversial exception of Canal Digital, which has recently admitted to capping the bandwidth of P2P traffic for some of its customers during peak hours every day.

External links

[edit] Poland

The most popular ADSL services for home users in Poland are Neostrada provided by TPSA, and Net24 provided by Netia. Business users as well as some home users use Internet DSL TP also offered by TPSA. According to Eurostat, OECD and others, Internet in Poland is the most expensive in Europe. This is mostly caused by the lack of competitiveness. Luckily, new operators like Dialog and GTS Energis are making their own provider lines and offer more attractive and cheaper service. Recently, the Polish Office of Electronical Communication passed a bill forcing the TPSA to rent 51% of their ADSL lines to other ISPs for 60% lower prices. This move will definitely affect the prices of DSL in Poland.

Neostrada

At present, Neostrada has six possible price and speed variants (as of February 2007):

Prices and speed for 12 month contract (including tax):

  • 128/64 kbps for €18 / month
  • 256/128 kbps for €20 / month
  • 512/128 kbps for €30 / month
  • 1024/256 kbps for €43 / month
  • 2048/256 kbps for €54 / month
  • 6144/256 kbps for €62 / month

Prices and speed for 24 month contract (including tax):

  • 512/128 kbps for €25 / month
  • 1024/256 kbps for €35 / month
  • 2048/256 kbps for €41 / month
  • 6144/256 kbps for €53 / month

Prices and speed for unlimited period of time (including tax):

  • 128/64 kbps for €30 / month
  • 256/128 kbps for €32 / month
  • 512/128 kbps for €44 / month
  • 1024/256 kbps for €59 / month
  • 2048/256 kbps for €64 / month
  • 6144/256 kbps for €75 / month

Internet DSL TP

There is another ADSL option available, targeted mainly at business clients, called Internet DSL TP. The link availability is guaranteed plus offers static IP address(es) and a modem with Ethernet interface. Of course, it is more expensive than Neostrada (all prices including tax, as of May 2006):

  • 256/128 kbps for €36 / month
  • 512/128 kbps for €47 / month
  • 1024/256 kbps for €60 / month
  • 2048/256 kbps for €78 / month
  • 4096/512 kbps for €91 / month
  • 8192/640 kbps for €104 / month
  • 15360/800 kbps for €131 / month

The main drawback of this service is that, excluding times of promotional fares, the installation cost is very high: €209. However, monthly fares are now quite close to similar Neostrada speed options.

Net24

ADSL service called Net24, provided by TP's main competitor Netia, offers four speed options: (As for July 2006)

  • 160/64 kbps for €14 / month
  • 320/64 kbps for €18 / month
  • 640/160 kbps for €28 / month
  • 1500/256 kbps for €35 / month

Speeds for TP customers(on tp line):

Prices and speed for 12 month contract:

  • 512/128 kbps for €13 / month
  • 1024/256 kbps for €14 / month
  • 2048/256 kbps for €24 / month
  • 6144/256 kbps for €27 / month

(prices excluding tax)

The physical speeds are slightly higher than marketed speeds to accommodate protocol overhead. The IP address is assigned dynamically on connection.

There is download restriction all options. Users who download more than 40 gigabytes of data each month, three months in a row may suffer from reduced download speed. The service can be installed on ISDN lines.

Netia also offers ADSL (BiznesNet24) and SDSL (SuperNet24) subscriptions for business customers which offer static IP address and higher speeds.

Multimo

ADSL service called Multimo, provided by GTS Energis for TP customers. There is no download limits.

Prices and speed for 12 month contract:

  • 512/128 kbps for €13 / month
  • 1024/256 kbps for €14 / month
  • 2048/256 kbps for €24 / month
  • 6144/256 kbps for €27 / month

DialNET DSL

ADSL service called DialNET DSL, provided by Dialog. There is no download limits.

Prices and speed for 12 month contract (including tax):

  • 512/128 kbps for €21 / month
  • 1024/256 kbps for €31 / month
  • 2048/512 kbps for €62 / month

Prices and speed for unlimited time contract (including tax):

  • 512/128 kbps for €31 / month
  • 1024/256 kbps for €46 / month
  • 2048/512 kbps for €77 / month

Broker

Broker is a cable provider offering triple play services in 5 cities in south Poland. Although its coverage is relatively small, it is known for providing robust broadband connections at highly competitive prices.

Prices and speed for unlimited time contract (the values in brackets indicate the download speed during the off-peak hours — 23:00–11:00) — tax included:

  • 512 (1024) kbps/128 kbps for €11 / month
  • 1.5 (3) Mbps/512 kbps for €15 / month
  • 2 (4) Mbps/1 Mbps for €20 / month
  • 4 (12) Mbps/2 Mbps for €23 / month

chello

chello is the brand of internet service provider-activities of LGI (formerly UGC), the leading provider of broadband internet access via cable in Europe with estimated 1.3 million customers across its markets.

Prices and speed (including tax):

  • 512/64 kbps for €15 / month
  • 2048/384 kbps for €21 / month
  • 5120/512 kbps for €30 / month
  • 12288/1024 kbps for €64 / month

External links

[edit] Portugal

ADSL service has been available in Portugal since 2000, however it wasn't until 2002 that the service started to see wide acceptance from the general public, mainly due to increased competition from service providers, which helped to level prices. Market penetration in Portugal is around 30% although Portugal has the distinction of being one of the few European countries to have coverage in virtually the entire national territory.

There are several service providers offering ADSL service in Portugal, to both the residential and the professional market. The majority of the residential market is split between the 2 larger operators: Portugal Telecom and Sonaecom.

Portugal Telecom

A former monopoly, Portugal Telecom is still the largest telecommunications company in the country today. Due to their previous monopoly status their landline infrastructure covers all of the national territory, making them the only operator that can offer direct service anywhere in the country. Portugal Telecom uses different brands to segment their ADSL service, including SAPO for the residential market and Telepac for the small business market, among others. In November 2006 Portugal Telecom announced their ADSL2+ service, adding a 24 Mbps speed grade to their market offer and effectively catching up to competitor SonaeCom that had been offering ADSL2+ speed grades for several months.

Prices for SAPO ADSL service:

  • SAPO 1Mb : 1024/128 Kbps for €24,99/month (4 GB international traffic limit and 10 GB national traffic limit)
  • SAPO 8Mb : 8128/512 Kbps for €35,58/month (30 GB international traffic limit and unlimited national traffic)
  • SAPO 24Mb : 24000/512 Kbps for €54,50/month (60 GB international traffic limit and unlimited national traffic)

These prices do not include Portugal Telecom's phone line subscription which is €15,32/month.

Sonaecom

Sonaecom started operations in 1999, soon after the government opened the telecommunications market to competition. The company started by renting Portugal Telecom's lines in order to offer their voice service to customers, but soon started laying their own infrastructure and can now offer direct service in the main metropolitan areas. Sonaecom also uses different brands to segment their ADSL offer, these include Clix for the residential market and Novis for the professional market. Taking advantage of the increased bandwidth provided by their ADSL2+ network, Sonaecom announced in June 2006 the launch of their IPTV service, dubbed SmarTV, enabling the company to offer the so called Triple Play service to customers in select areas.

Prices for Clix ADSL packages:

  • Clix 12Mb : 12288/400 Kbps for €29.90/month (20 GB total traffic limit)
  • Clix 24Mb : 24576/640 Kbps for €39.90/month (60 GB total traffic limit)

As seen above, it's normal practice for ISPs in Portugal to include monthly traffic limits in their broadband packages (the same happens with Cable ISPs). Additional fees will apply when customers exceed these limits.

Other ADSL operators in Portugal

[edit] Romania

In Romania, broadband internet has been available since 2000, through coaxial cable, first from Kappa (now defunct) and currently from RCS&RDS and UPC-Astral. Recent speeds range between 512 kbps and 6 Mbps (both upstream and downstream) for household targeted plans and cost between USD 9 and USD 34 per month, depending on the bandwidth provided.

However, the most popular broadband services are provided by micro-ISPs (known locally as "reţea de bloc/reţea de cartier" (Block/Neighborhood Networks) with 50 to 3000 customers each. These ISPs usually provide their services through 100BASE-T UTP LANs, with a number of particularities and peculiarities : most were grassroot organizations and still have a feeling of community between subscribers and the management, speeds are usually divided in three categories : "LAN", "Metropolitan" and "International" with Metropolitan meaning a limited number of networks with which the micro-ISP has a peering agreement and sometimes the cable internet providers (as there is no national Internet exchange, a lot of metropolitan traffic in Romania is routed through Hungary or Germany). Generally, for such broadband connections, speeds are 100 Mbps locally, 1-50 Mbps metro and 256-2048 kbps International. Costs range from between Lei 25 (USD 8.5) and Lei 700 (USD 235). Some of these micro-ISP function completely legally, while others (generally the smaller ones) are organized informally in something like a permanent LAN party. Many of these micro-ISPs formed organizations to represent their common interests and provide for integration of services (one such organization is Interlan, covering the whole of Bucharest).

For business use, services are usually provided through fiber optics or radio. Companies providing such services (RCS&RDS, Evolva, Mediasat, UPC -Astral, Euroweb, Fibernet, Intrabit) are providing very flexible and negotiable plans also based on the Metropolitan/International distinction. Usually prices and bandwidths are fully negotiable, with the micro-ISPs discussed above being influential resellers. There is very strong competition, with no peering between many such companies (again requiring a lot of traffic to be routed through Hungary) and not even access to another's fiber-optics infrastructure (leading to the existence, in some cases, of over 25 fiber optics cables on the same street, hanging from the same pole). As such many companies have two separate providers for basically the same services.

DSL has been a very recent addition, on an almost saturated market and is not a popular choice because of the extremely competitive offers of ISPs using more modern infrastructures (cable, fiber optics, FTTH). DSL in Romania is provided by Romtelecom and a small number of Romtelecom licensees (DigiCom, etc) using it's extensive infrastructure.

Cable

RCS&RDS

  • 512 kbps downstream / 256 kbps upstream : $ 9 / month ( € 7)
  • 768 kbps downstream / 256 kbps upstream : $ 15 / month ( € 12)
  • 1024 kbps downstream / 256 kbps upstream : $ 19 / month ( € 15)

UPC-Astral

  • Standard 1024 kbps downstream / 256 kbps upstream : Lei 45 / month ( $ 16, € 13)
  • Plus 4096 kbps downstream /512 kbps upstream : Lei 70 / month ( $ 25, € 20)
  • Ultra 6144 kbps downstream / 512 kbps upstream : Lei 95 / month ( $ 34, € 27)

DSL

Prices valid for January 2007 (normal, non-promotional prices) are as following (add 4 - 8 € / month for modem rental, 6 €/ month for phone line and 39 - 99 € for install kit ):

  • ClickNet Express 512 Kbps light ( 512 kbps downstream, 128 kbps upstream) : 15 € / month ($ 20) with a 600 MB/week fair-use policy; after the 600 MB traffic limit has been reached the speeds are reduced to: 64 Kbps/64 Kbps for the respective week.
  • ClickNet Express 1 Mbps (1024 kbps downstream, 256 kbps upstream) : 19 € / month ($ 24) with a 1 GB/week fair-use policy; after the 1GB traffic limit has been reached the speeds are reduced to: 128 Kbps/64 Kbps for the respective week.
  • ClickNet Express 1,5 Mbps (1536 kbps downstream, 256 kbps upstream) : 25 € / month ($ 31) with a 3 GB/week fair-use policy; after the 3GB traffic limit has been reached the speeds are reduced to: 256 Kbps/128 Kbps for the respective week.
  • ClickNet Express 2,5 Mbps (2560 kbps downstream, 384 kbps upstream) : 35 € / month ($ 44) with a 5 GB/week fair-use policy; after the 3GB traffic limit has been reached the speeds are reduced to: 384 Kbps/128 Kbps for the respective week.


Mobile&Wireless

Zapp offers a wireless broadband service based on CDMA 1x and 1xEV-DO technology, with speeds of up to 2,4 Mbps downstream / 153 kbps upstream. It has subscriptions based either on traffic volume ( 100 MB/month - 10$, 200 MB/month - 15$, 500 MB/month - 25$, 1 GB/month - 35$) or time ( 5 hours/month - 9$, 15 hours/month - 19$), as well as an unlimited subscription priced at $ 39.

Orange Romania has packages offering between 5 MB traffic volume included ( $ 1.8/ € 1.4 ) and 500 MB ( $ 49.5/ € 39) with extra traffic being charged with $ 0,4/ MB. They use the GPRS/ EDGE (where available)/ UMTS (where available) technologies to provide speeds of up to 384 kbps downstream.

Vodafone Romania uses the same technologies and provides the same speeds, its packages ranging between $ 3 ( € 2.35 ) with 10 MB traffic included to $ 25 ( € 19.6) with 250 MB included, extra traffic being priced at $ 0.3/ MB. It also has HSDPA coverage in Bucharest and several other large cities, with download speeds of up to 1,4 Mbps, priced between $ 10 ( 100 MB traffic included) and $ 35 ( 1 GB traffic included), extra traffic being priced at $ 0.3 / MB.

FTTH

RCS&RDS launched in 2006 FiberLink, an optic fiber based internet subscription geared towards supporting and encouraging the large demand for cheap metropolitan traffic. Most of RCS&RDS' cable infrastructure immediately began being replaced by the newer FTTH, and as of late 2006 RCS&RDS started expanding the service by acquiring and converting the popular "Neighbourhood Networks" of the urban areas.

  • 1 Mbps downstream international trafic, 30 Mbps downstream local traffic : $ 9 ( € 7)
  • 1,5 Mbps downstream international trafic, 50 Mbps downstream local traffic : $ 15 ( € 12)
  • 2 Mbps downstream international trafic, 50 Mbps downstream local traffic : $ 19 ( € 15)

[edit] Russia

Saratov city

xDSL and cable internet appeared in Saratov in nearly 2002 year.

xDSL providers:

VDSL providers:

ADSL flat rate options:

  • 64/64 kbps from 31€
  • 128/128 kbps from 65€

Moscow city

xDSL providers:

The major (as of beg 2007) ADSL provider is Comstar-Direct (former MTU-Intel). The services are provided under the brand Stream-Internet, Stream-TV for individuals and Stream-Business for commercial entities.

The starting flat rate options for January 2007:

  • 128/128 kbps for $8 (Internet), 256
  • 640/256 kbps for $21 (Internet + TV).

Saint Petersburg city

xDSL providers:

The starting ADSL flat rate options for February 2007:

  • 100/100 kbps from 14.5€
  • 128/128 kbps from 22.5€
  • 1024/600 kbps from 52€


Cable providers:

The starting cable flat rate options for February 2007:

  • 128/128 kbps from 14.5€
  • 512/128 kbps from 23€

[edit] Serbia

Broadband internet access is growing rapidly in Serbia. Cable is provided by several providers (mostly in larger cities) and ADSL is available through a number of ISPs, all using the services of Telekom Srbija. Wireless access is also available in every part of Serbia.

ADSL providers:

ADSL flat rate options:

  • 256/64 kbps from 17€
  • 512/128 kbps from 22€
  • 768/192 kbps from 31€

Wireless internet access is very popular in Serbia. Due to late introduction of ADSL in Serbia and rapid advancement of Wi-Fi technologies that enabled quick and inexpensive expansion of Infrastructure, fixed Wireless connection is widely used in Serbia for broadband access.

Prices vary in different parts of Serbia, and depending on type of services offered.

Wireless providers:

  • Media Works in Belgrade (first to employ WiMAX standard)
  • MadNet in Belgrade, Pancevo, Novi Sad, Vrsac, Pozarevac, Smederevo, Kovin...
  • Verat in Belgrade
  • BeotelNet in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nish
  • Ninet in Nish, Leskovac, Pirot
  • Suonline in Subotica

MadNet wireless service pricing:

  • Personal WDSL 128/128 (200/200 happy hour) - €12 per month
  • Personal WDSL 256/256 (400/400 happy hour) - €20 per month
  • Personal WDSL 512/512 (800/800 happy hour) - €40 per month

Cable service providers:

[edit] Slovenia

Slovenian ISP's provide ADSL; ADSL2+, VDSL, SHDSL, VDSL2 and FTTH.
There are no download limits on any package and no fair-use policy.

Companies:
SiOL
ADSL (13.10.2006)

  • 256/128 kbit/s 18,00 €
  • 512/128 kbit/s 22,00 €
  • 1024/256 kbit/s 26,00 €

Increased speeds with additional payment:

  • 2048/384 kbit/s (ADSL) 26+6 €
  • 4096/512 kbit/s (ADSL) 26+12 €
  • 10Mbit/s / 768kbit/s (ADSL2+) 26+18 €
  • 20Mbit/s / 768kbit/s (ADSL2+) 26+37 €


Amis
ADSL (13.10.2006)

  • 1024/256 3.900 SIT (16,27 €)
  • 1024/512 4.100 SIT (17,11 €)
  • 1024/1024 4.500 SIT (18,78 €)
  • 2048/384 4.900 SIT (20,45 €)
  • 2048/512 5.100 SIT (21,28 €)
  • 4096/512 5.900 SIT (24,62 €)
  • 4096/1024 6.100 SIT (25,45 €)
  • 10/768 7.000 SIT (29,21 €)
  • 10/1024 8.000 SIT (33,38 €)
  • 20/768 9.000 SIT (37,56 €)
  • 20/1024 11.000 SIT (45,90 €)


Voljatel
ADSL (13.10.2006)

  • 1024 / 256 14,50 €
  • 2048 / 384 20,00 €
  • 4096 / 512 22,50 €
  • 10 Mb / 768 29,00 €
  • 20 Mb / 768 37,50 €


ADSL2+

  • 1024/256 kbps for 3.990,00 SIT (~ US$20) //PSTN or ISDN needed (extra ~US$15)
  • 8/1 Mbps for 7.790,00 SIT (~ US$39) //PSTN or ISDN needed (extra ~US$15)
  • 20/1 Mbps for 12.990,00 SIT (~ US$65) //PSTN or ISDN needed (extra ~US$15)


T-2
VDSL (01.01.2007)

  • 1024/256 kbps for 20 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 1/1 Mbps for 22 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 4/0,5 Mbps for 29 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 4/1 Mbps for 31 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 8/1 Mbps for 33 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 10/1 Mbps for 37 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 10/2 Mbps for 41 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 10/4 Mbps for 50 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 10/10 Mbps for 58 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 20/1 Mbps for 50 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 20/4 Mbps for 62 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 20/10 Mbps for 75 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 40/8 Mbps for 104 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed
  • 40/15 Mbps for 121 € //no PSTN or ISDN needed

FTTH (01.01.2007)

  • 1 Mbps / 1 Mbps for 14 €
  • 2 Mbps / 2 Mbps for 22 €
  • 5 Mbps / 5 Mbps for 27 €
  • 10 Mbps / 10 Mbps for 31 €
  • 20 Mbps / 20 Mbps for 56 €
  • 50 Mbps / 50 Mbps for 208 €
  • 100 Mbps / 100 Mbps for 417 €
  • 1 Gbps / 1 Gbps for 4.172 €

[edit] Spain

ADSL arrived in Spain in 1999. The main ISPs are:

  • Telefónica (former state telecom monopoly).
  • Terra Networks, S.A. (part of the Telefónica Group)
  • Direct Telecom (ADSL and VoIP Provider. Unique in Spain).
  • Ya.com (started by Jazztel, later sold to T-Online).
  • Wanadoo (initially the internet branch of Uni2 Spain, it operates much like Terra, as a reseller of Telefonica ADSL services)
  • Tele2 (bought Colt Telecom, offers 6 Mbps using fastpath mode (lower latency than the usual interleaved mode used by most ISPs)
  • Jazztel, the first ISP to provide ADSL2+ throughout the country.
  • Comunitel, currently operated by Tele2

The average speed is 1024/300 kbps, costing €20 to €39 per month for an unmetered line. This is the standard for Telefónica and resellers - Telefónica owns most of the country's POTS last-mile wiring, and has very extended coverage of the country with ADSL. The ADSL service to the customer used to be provided exclusively by Telefónica in most cases, with the other ISPs reselling this infrastructure from Telefónica and sometimes providing some of the backend servers. Faster connections up to 8 Mbps are available, but the price is considerably higher (€150 for 8 Mbps).

Over the last 2 years companies such as Jazztel, Wanadoo, and Ya.com are offering packs including TV + Phone calls + ADSL up to 20 Mbps for 20€-30€ a month, using ADSL2+. These are currently only available in larger cities and areas with high population density, as they are provided directly by the ISPs using self-deployed infrastructure; however, they are considerably cheaper and faster. Coverage is approximately 33% of the population.

Several companies, including Comunitel and Direct Telecom offer ADSL and VoIP (Internet Telephony) packages. They give the VoIP capabilities at no extra cost directly from the router they supply. As VoIP is becoming the norm in most of the world, Direct Telecom, from humble beginnings in 2000, is slowly overtaking the other big fish and getting a large percentage of the broadband market. Comunitel offers the same package (ADSL + free calls) for 40 €/month.

Telefonica, Jazztel, and Wanadoo all provide DSL based television services (Imagenio, Jazztelia TV and Wanadoo TV respectively).

[edit] Sweden

In Sweden, household broadband is mainly available through cable (in speeds of 128 kbps to 24 Mbps) and ADSL (256 kbps to 24 Mbps), but in many places also through copper Ethernet LAN networked via fibre MANs connecting buildings. Symmetric broadband Internet access of 100 Mbps is available for USD 24 a month, as of March 2007. In Lund, one service offers 1 Gbit/s connections.

There has been a low level of competition in ADSL services, primarily because nearly all POTS copper is owned by Skanova (a subsidiary of TeliaSonera), who have made it difficult and expensive for third parties to gain access to the telephone stations. Nearly all ADSL provided today is through the "Skanova broadband platform", while other providers who have earlier tried to supply ADSL independently have gone over to Skanova (Bonet/Bostream), or gone bankrupt (Xpress ADSL).

Speed:

  • 8/1 Mbps in all 290 municipalities. 24/1 Mbps in 100 of 290 municipalities.

Cost:

  • 400 kronor (US$57) per month

Market:

  • The wired market has seen large investments, such as those from the Carlyle Group, a leading investment company which used to hold 21.6% of the Bredbandsbolaget AB equity. In July 2005 Bredbandsbolaget was bought by Norwegian Telenor ASA. Bredbandsbolaget have recently performed a string of acquisitions of weaker competitors. The wireless broadband market have also seen large foreign direct investments; for example Hutchison Whampoa's investments in the Scandinavian 3 (telecommunications).

[edit] Switzerland

In Switzerland, approximately two thirds of home broadband subscriptions are via ADSL, with the remaining third using Cable [33]. Other xDSL technologies, satellite access and fiber channels are available, but are generally used by businesses due to their cost.

The typical home ADSL user has three speed choices [34]:

  • 2000/100 for CHF 49.- a month
  • 3500/300 for CHF 69.- a month
  • 5000/300 for CHF 99.- a month

The above prices are examples from Bluewin, the leading Swiss ISP, as of May 2006.

In March 2007 the speeds will change:

  • 2000/100 will become 3500/300 (no change of price)
  • 3500/300 will become 5000/300 (no change of price)
  • 5000/300 will stay at the same speed but the price will be the same than the previous 3500/300 (69.- a month instead of 99.- a month)

There are usually no overages for traffic, as there is for the most part no monthly traffic limit. There is the occasional sign-up cost, which can cost up to CHF 100.-. Upon signing up with an ISP, one can choose to buy an analogue or ISDN ADSL modem, which can cost from CHF 50.- to 200.- depending on its' features. One can also ask a technician to install the material on-site, for approximately CHF 150.-.

Business ADSL offers are similar in speed to home offers. The following is Bluewin's fastest offer as of April 2006 [35]:

  • 6000/600 for CHF 349.- a month, with a 500.00 activation charge.

Typical added business services include priority over other traffic, thereby ensuring full speed, a hardware firewall solution to improve network security, and priority technical support.

ADSL providers in Switzerland and their websites:

The Swiss ADSL infrastructure is owned by Swisscom, the (DSLAM hardware and software is provided by Alcatel.

Cablecom is the largest cable ISP. As of February 2007 it offers the following subscriptions:

  • 500/100 for CHF 30.- a month
  • 3000/300 for CHF 45.- a month
  • 10000/1000 for CHF 65.- a month

[edit] Turkey

In Turkey ADSL service since 2003 and Cable Internet service since 1999 is provided by Türk Telekom - (Turkish) http://www.turktelekom.com.tr, which has become a private company (TTNet A.Ş. - (Turkish) http://www.ttnet.net.tr/) in 2006. The current download/upload speed options are 256/64, 512/128, 1024/256, and 2048/512 kbps. There are also options of 4 (formerly 3), 6 and 9 GB download per-month limit for the speed of 1024/256 kbps.

Starting from 1 April 2007, TTNet approximate prices (see http://www.ttnet.net.tr/adslucret.htm) are as follows:

Bandwidth Price Limit Note
256/64 Kbits/s €26 per month Unlimited Download and Upload One time fee: €15
512/128 Kbits/s €42 per month Unlimited Download and Upload One time fee: €15
1024/256 Kbits/s €53 per month Unlimited Download and Upload One time fee: €15
2048/512 Kbits/s €74 per month Unlimited Download and Upload One time fee: €15
1024/256 Kbits/s €15 per month 4 GB Download, Unlimited Upload Approximately €3-4 per 1 GB download is charged for exceeding limits.
1024/256 Kbits/s €21 per month 6 GB Download, Unlimited Upload Approximately €3-4 per 1 GB download is charged for exceeding limits.
1024/256 Kbits/s €26 per month 9 GB Download, Unlimited Upload Approximately €3-4 per 1 GB download is charged for exceeding limits.


Notes:

  • The same options and prices are offered for home and business users.
  • All prices include VAT and "Special Communication Tax".
  • Approximately €3-4 per 1 GB download is charged for exceeding limits.

Also, there are other ADSL providers in Turkey, but they have similar prices and options, because they are using the POTS infrastructure of TTNet. They have very few subscribers compared to TTNet.

[edit] Ukraine

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.
This article has been tagged since January 2007.

The largest DSL provider in Ukraine is Ukrtelecom. It provides DSL services across the whole country at the same prices.

[edit] United Kingdom

ADSL was introduced to the UK in trial stages in the late 1990s and a commercial product was launched in 2000. In the United Kingdom, most exchanges, local loops and backhauls are owned and managed by BT Wholesale, who then sell on connectivity to ISPs, who provide the actual connectivity with the Internet (in most cases), telephone support, billing and added features. BT currently operate 5591 exchanges all over the UK with the vast majority being enabled for ADSL. Only a relative handful have not been upgraded to support ADSL products - in fact it is under 100 of the smallest and most rural exchanges. Some exchanges, numbering under 1000, have been upgraded to support SDSL products. However, these exchanges are often the larger exchanges based in major towns and cities so they still cover a large proportion of the population. SDSL products are aimed more at business customers and are priced higher than ADSL services.

Up until the launch of "Max" services, the ADSL packages available from BT Wholesale were known as IPStream Home 250, Home 500, Home 1000 and Home 2000 (contention ratio of 50:1); and Office 500, Office 1000, and Office 2000 (contention ratio of 20:1). The number in the product name indicates the downstream data rate in kilobits per second. The upstream data rate is up to 250 kbps for all products.

For BT Wholesale ADSL products, users initially had to live within 3.5 kilometers of the local telephone exchange to receive ADSL, but this limit was increased thanks to RADSL (Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line), although users with RADSL may have a reduced upstream rate, depending on the quality of their line. There are still areas that cannot receive ADSL because of technical limitations, not least of which networks in housing areas built with aluminium cable rather than copper in the 1980s and 1990s, and areas served by optical fibre (TPON), though these are slowly being serviced with copper.

In September 2004, BT Wholesale removed the line length / loss limits for 500 kbps ADSL, instead employing a tactic of "suck it and see" — enabling the line, then seeing if ADSL would work on it. This sometimes includes the installation of a filtered faceplate on the customer's master socket, so as to eliminate poor quality telephone extension cables inside the customer's premises which can be a source of high frequency noise.

In the past, the majority of home users used packages with 500 kbps (downstream) and 250 kbps (upstream) with a 50:1 contention ratio, typically costing between £20 and £30 per month. However, BT Wholesale introduced the option of a new charging structure to ISPs which means that the wholesale service cost was the same regardless of the ADSL data rate, with charges instead being based on the amount of data transferred. Nowadays, most home users use a package whose data rate is only limited by the technical limitations of their telephone line. Initially this was 2 Mbps downstream in the £20–£30 per month price range. Nowadays, most home products are ADSL Max based (up to 7.15 Mbps) and priced in the £15–30 per month price range.

Following successful trials, BT announced the availability of higher speed services known as BT ADSL Max and BT ADSL Max Premium in March 2006. BT made the "Max" product available to more than 5300 exchanges, serving around 99% of UK households and businesses.

Both Max services offer downstream data rates of up to 7.15 Mbps. Upstream data rates are up to 400 kbps for the standard product and up to 750 kbps for the premium product. (Whilst the maximum downstream data rate for IPStream Max is often touted as 8 Mbps, this is in fact misleading because, in a departure from previous practice, it actually refers to the gross ATM data rate. The maximum data rata available at the IP level is 7.15 Mbps; the maximum TCP payload rate — the rate you would actually see for file transfer — would be about 7.0 Mbps.)

The actual downstream data rate achieved on any given Max line is subject to the capabilities of the line. Depending on the stable ADSL synchonisation rate negotiated, BT's system applies a fixed rate limit from one of the following data rates: 160 kbps, 250 kbps, 500 kbps, then in 500 kbps steps up to 7.0 Mbps, then a final maxium rate of 7.15 Mbps.

Contention ratios are no longer officially stated either, except that the Office products will generally see a reduced level of contention to their Home counterparts. This is the product of amalgamating Home and Office users onto a single consolidated, but larger, virtual path.

Several companies are also operating their own services using unbundled local loops, notably Bulldog Communications in the London area, and Easynet, through their consumer sister company UK Online, who have enabled exchanges all across the country, from London to Central Scotland. As such, packages are available with typical speeds of 4 Mbps, 8 Mbps or up to 24 Mbps downstream in certain areas. Because these companies do not have to conform to the same regulatory conditions as BT, they can offer products at sometimes considerably lower prices — UK Online recently announced a 512 kbps product for £9.99 per month. Another company, Be*, is offering speeds of up to 24 Mbps downstream, using ADSL2+ but this is only available on a small number of exchanges mostly in the London area. New exchanges are being upgraded by these companies every day, increasing speeds across the country. Again these products are often priced in the £20-30 per month range.

A major resource for UK broadband information is ADSLGuide.

On August 13, 2004 the ISP Wanadoo (formerly Freeserve and now Orange SA in the UK) were told by the Advertising Standards Authority to change the way that they advertised their 512 kbps broadband service in Britain, removing the words "full speed" which rival companies claimed was misleading people into thinking it was the fastest available service. In a similar way, on April 9, 2003 the Advertising Standards Authority ruled against ISP NTL, saying that NTL's 128 kbps cable modem service must not be marketed as "broadband". Ofcom reported in June 2005 that there were more broadband than dial-up connections for the first time in history.[41]. In the third quarter of 2005 with the merger of NTL and Telewest, a new alliance was formed to create the largest market share of broadband users. This alliance brought about huge increases in bandwidth allocations for customers (minimum speed increasing from the industry norm of 512 kbps to 2 Mbps home lines with both companies planning to have all domestic customers upgraded to at least 4 Mbps downstream and ranging up to 10 Mbps and beyond by mid-2006.) along with the supply of integrated services such as Digital TV and Phone packages.

8 Mbps[42] enabled exchanges have begun appearing in larger cities, with British Telecom announcing[43] that more than 5300 exchanges will be upgraded to allow 99.6% of homes in the UK access to the higher speeds.

See also May 2004 New Statesman supplement [44] on broadband.

Since 2003 BT has been introducing SDSL to exchanges in many of the major cities. Services are currently offered at upload/download speeds of 256 kbps, 512 kbps, 1 Mbps or 2 Mbps. Unlike ADSL, which is typically 256 kbps upload, SDSL upload speeds are the same as the download speed. BT usually provide a new copper pair for SDSL installs, which can be used only for the SDSL connection. At a few hundred pounds a quarter, SDSL is significantly more expensive than ADSL, but is significantly cheaper than a leased line. SDSL is marketed to businesses and offers low contention ratios, and in some cases, a Service Level Agreement. At present, the BT Wholesale SDSL enablement programme has stalled, most probably due to a lack of uptake.

In 2005 Northern Ireland became the only European geographic region with 100% broadband coverage and one of a few outside Asia, this was achieved by a partnership between the Northern Ireland Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment and BT Northern Ireland.

In 2006, the UK market has been about convergance and takeovers. Talk Talk threw down the gauntlet by offering so-called ‘free’ broadband along with their telephone package at around £20 a month. Rival, Orange (formerly Wanadoo) responded by offering ‘free’ broadband for mobile customers who pay more than £30 a month. Many other smaller ISPs have responded by offering similar bundled packages. O2 also entered the broadband market by taking over LLU provider BE, while Sky had already taken over LLU broadband provider Easynet. In July 2006, Sky entered the broadband arena by announcing 2 Mbps broadband to be available free to Sky customers and a higher speed connection at a lower price than most rivals.

External links

[edit] Broadband Internet access worldwide (history|Watchlist this article|unwatch) [watchlist?]

[edit] Oceania

[edit] Australia

Home Broadband Internet access is available in Australia using ADSL, ISDN, Cable, Satellite and Wireless technologies.

In Australia the major telephone company Telstra owns the majority of landline infrastructure, with Optus (a subsidiary of Singapore Telecommunications) owning the rest. Competitors often resell this, and some provide other options — such as their own ADSL networks over Telstra copper wiring with speeds up to 24 Mbps, a cable network at 17 Mbps, business fibre in city centres, and various wireless choices (these are all predominantly in large cities).

As of November 2006 Telstra's Internet service BigPond is offering ADSL speeds of up to 20mb/s downstream, but only at exchanges where competing companies already provide similar service.

Like many ISPs around the world, the majority of Australian ISPs traffic shape residential customers after a monthly download quota has been exceeded. However, on a global scale, Australian ISPs offer extremely expensive prices per GB and the typical traffic shaping is 64k.

Common Telstra DSL

ADSL became available in 2000 and Telstra had limited ADSL speeds to a maximum of 1.5 Mbps downstream / 256 kbps upstream, and also sold slower speeds of 256 kbps/64 kbps and 512 kbps/128 kbps (the 512/128 offering is no longer available to new customers through Telstra's own ISP Bigpond, but continues to be offered to the wholesale ISPs who resell the Telstra product). However, since November 2006, Telstra has released the limitation on ADSL downstream, thus returning the initial ADSL speed back to 8 Mbps downstream. SDSL services at 256/256 and 512/512 are available but cost a lot more. It is cheaper to get 24 MBits down and 1 MBit up from other providers than it is to purchase an SDSL connection that is overall slower.

The main ISPs Telstra resells its ADSL services to include:

(source The Australian, early March 06, cited in [45])

In the past, Telstra had been criticised for limiting their ADSL download speed to a maximum of 1.5 Mbps (256 kbps upload), whereas the maximum ADSL speed possible is 8 Mbps download (1 Mbps upload), and ADSL2+ allows 24 Mbps downloads. In November 2006, Telstra increased this limit when they began wholesaling 8 Mbps connections, however the upload speed is still capped at 384 Kbps for technical reasons.

Faster broadband

Faster broadband speeds are available in Australia. Telstra & Optus both own separate cable networks capable of higher speeds (Telstra 18 Mbps, Optus 10 Mbps), though the network is limited and covers only parts of a few major cities (these are not sold wholesale). The government has regulated access for competitors to Telstra's exchanges and their copper phone lines (local loop unbundling), and several ISPs have installed their own hardware DSLAMs - and now offer broadband speeds up to 24 Mbps.

ISPs who are installing their own DSLAMs include Amnet, iiNet, Exetel, TPG, Internode, TPG Internet, BigPond, OptusNet, Primus, Powertel & Adam Internet. Most offer ADSL2+ (with speeds up to 24 Mbps), though in 2006 some still provide ADSL1 (with speeds up to 8 Mbps). Only Telstra (BigPond), Optus, Primus, & Powertel offer their own standard telephony services over these lines, other ISPs resell Telstra's phone services alongside their own ADSL or do not bundle phone services.

In 2005, Telstra announced [46] it would invest AUD $210 million in upgrading all their ADSL exchanges to support ADSL2+ by mid 2006, though they did not say whether they would continue to restrict access speeds. However, in 2006, they announced new intentions to substantially alter their copper phone network and setup a "Fibre to the Node (FTTN)" network. This was later scrapped, with Telstra citing [47] regulations forcing it to provide wholesale access to its competitors as a reason to discontinue the investment.

Other developments

There are ongoing developments in Australia. This includes fibre networks offered by Telstra and competitors in major cities (eg: east-coast capitals by Powertel, and mid to west-coast capitals by Amcom). Three phone networks provide 3G data connectivity, Telstra EVDO via CDMA & HSDPA via 3GSM, and Optus and Vodafone via 3GSM. Wireless networks are provided by Unwired, and iBurst in several cities, and Austar has announced wireless plans for regional areas. Internode received state government funding for wireless in rural South Australia. The federal government is financially aiding better rural broadband access, including encouraging competition where feasible as these are less profitable areas - with less customers, greater line lengths and a higher ULL wholesale line rental from Telstra, and higher rates from Telstra charges for data connections (backhaul) to the cities.

External links

Popular community website Whirlpool acts as a pseudo-watchdog for the broadband industry in Australia with many ISP representatives contributing to its wiki and forum discussions. However, it should be remembered by all participants that much of the information presented on the site is anecdotal, and factual accuracy is often suspect. Anyone using Whirlpool for a source of information would be wise to verify the accuracy of the information against at least one external source to ensure validity. Whirlpool can be a source of valuable information, but like all community based websites is vulnerable to factual inaccuracy and myth.

[edit] New Zealand

In New Zealand the major telephone company Telecom New Zealand owns the majority of the infrastructure and is the only provider of DSL, which they wholesale to their subsidiary Xtra (the largest ISP in New Zealand), as well as many of Telecom's "competitors", with varying speeds and download limits. Download speeds are up to 7.5 Mbps, and most services limit speeds (bandwidth cap) to 64 kbps after going over an allocated allowance, others charging per MiB/GiB over a set limit.

Telecom has a monopoly on the local loop. There are alternatives such as TelstraClear's cable internet in Wellington and Christchurch, satellite, and wireless in some locations - but products based on Telecom's DSL are the norm, as other networks do not have the same coverage nor pricing the DSL network has. In May 2006 the government announced a comprehensive telecommunications package including unbundling of the local loop to allow other ISPs to compete more effectively against Telecom's DSL offerings.

The largest ISPs in New Zealand are XTRA (Telecom NZ), TelstraClear, ihug, Orcon, Slingshot, and Woosh Wireless.

DSL History
  • 1999 - Telecom New Zealand began providing broadband internet by way of ADSL under the name JetStream. There was a progressive roll out into local exchanges. Telecom's JetStream services were offered by many different service providers, with Telecom billing for all data usage and the ISP charging for authentication and other services such as a static IP address.
    • Home users were offered 'starter' plans at 128 kbps upload and download. Speeds greater than 128 kbps were extremely expensive and extra data (beyond the allowance) was charged at over $0.10 per MB. Telecom progressively introduced lower cost home options.
    • Businesses were able to access 'full speed' services at up to 8 Mbps downstream and 800 kbps upstream, with data charges up to $0.20 per MB.
  • March 2004 - a 256 kbps home service was introduced with a 10 GB allowance for NZ$70.
  • 2005 - the government mandated Unbundled Bitstream Service (UBS) at a maximum upstream bandwidth of 128 kbps. This allowed ISPs to bill for their client's data usage. Telecom initially specified a 256 kbps downstream, but added 1 Mbps and 2 Mbps options later in the year. Telecom provided this in addition to the Jetstream plans.
  • In late 2005 Telecom cancelled previous wholesale arrangements for JetStream plans with other ISPs. Only Telecom's own ISP, Xtra, could sell plans faster than the UBS options and they still offer the 8 Mbps/800 kbps plans - now exclusively. ISPs ihug and Slingshot are still lobbying to have full-speed access to ADSL, at up to 8 Mbps
  • February 2006 - Telecom announced its intention to offer a speed upgrade on their wholesale. It was reported that some providers would likely reject the offer, though Telecom believed that negotiations were continuing well.
  • April 2006 - in April 2006 Telecom New Zealand introduced new cheaper services with download speeds up to 3.5 Mbps - some thought this was to avoid regulatory Local Loop Unbundling (LLU).
  • May 2006 - Local Loop Unbundling (LLU) was announced as part of a comprehensive telecommunications package
Current DSL

In early 2006, there were growing concerns about below par broadband in New Zealand. On the whole, Telecom's upstream speeds (128 kbps) and data caps had resulted in New Zealand's internet connections being ranked amongst the worst in the OECD. Competitors were making some changes such as offering higher data caps (XTRA's data caps averaged from 1 to 10 gigabytes of data per month, while competitors such as ihug offered 40 and 60 GB options, or xnet who offered free national data on their ADSL plans.) In mid 2006, Telecom still had control over the network including speeds and how much data they supplied each "UBS" customer

Amidst growing pressure from the government, Telecom boosted downloads to 3.5 Mbps and uploads to 512 kbps (at high costs such as $20/mth more just for increased upload speeds). Competitors and customers reported slower than expected speeds, with one ISP director criticizing Telecom's backhaul network. The new plans were also criticised for reducing the data caps on downloads.

The government has now mandated local loop unbundling, which allows other ISPs to setup their own infrastructure and services, using only Telecom's existing copper wiring and exchanges. Several countries do similarly to compete more effectively with the incumbent's offerings. They also mandated Naked DSL, and unconstrained UBS (which may see rapid changes in ISP offerings). The Telecommunications Minister, David Cunliffe, expected that the market would feel the effects from 2007-2009, with policy to be enacted commencing at the Budget in May 2006. As a part of the policy, the Government will additionally take steps to encourage private sector investment in improving rural telecommunications services, and will take steps to further open up the marketplace to alternative delivery media, such as fibre optics, cable and satellite.

On the 26th of October Telecom "unleashed" the download speeds on their network, meaning download speeds went as fast as the lines could go. Additionally, there was also an unlimited download plan, which was also uncapped, however 128kb upload, and a fair usage policy which is put in place to temporarily limit the speeds for customers who have high usage or make use of peer-to-peer connections - basically limiting a so-called "unlimited" plan. This plan only lasted for a few months until it became clear that telecom were restricting all kinds of traffic (not just peer-to-peer) during all times of the day (instead of just the 8 peak hours per day they said they were going to). Because of this, all the subscribers on the so-called "Go Large" plan were given a refund for up to 2 months worth of service, and the plan is now no longer available to new subscribers. Except for Telecom Retail DSL, Orcon and Ihug, none of the other providers have chosen to offer plans with no caps.

Competitive broadband

TelstraClear (owned by Australia's dominant telecommunications company, Telstra) is Telecom's biggest competitor, investing heavily in infrastructure throughout New Zealand. They have been laying fibre networks in several cities, and are building a fibre backbone throughout New Zealand. TelstraClear offer their own cable television network with internet broadband in Wellington and Christchurch - at their entry level they offer 1 GB of data and 2 Mbps both up and down (5x more data, 8x faster download speed and 16x faster upload speed for a similar price as Telecom's entry level - $30). Now also offering 10 Mbps down and 2 Mbps up.

There are multiple wireless broadband options from companies such as Vodafone, Woosh, & Kordia which are aiming at nationwide coverage, as well as smaller providers for individual towns. Satellite is available from Bordernet and ICONZ for people in areas unserviced by broadband, and fibre is being developed by several companies in individual cities. This report summarises these possibilities as of September 2005.

The most likely point of broadband competition will be with Telecom's local loop unbundling. The ISPANZ group of ISPs are most likely to develop this, including TelstraClear, ihug, Orcon, & Slingshot (ihug already competes similarly in Australia, see iiNet). Possibilities include ADSL2+ at speeds up to 24 Mbps (depending on distance from the exchange), Voice over IP (& regular phones), and future digital TV in triple play offerings.

External links

  • Internet Choice - Let's you compare New Zealand broadband plans.
  • NZDSL - New Zealand ADSL and Broadband News, Information, Forums and Speed Test.
  • ISPtalk - New Zealand internet speed test and information.
  • ISPmap - List of New Zealand ISPs
  • T5 Broadband New Zealand - NZ Broadband Companies Compare Online.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ "50 Megs for $90 from Verizon FiOS", GigaOM, 2006-07-19.
  3. ^ http://www.worldcall.com.pk/?ContentId=1
  4. ^ Communication and Information Technology Commission. Communication and Information Technology Commission, Saudi Arabia, Annual Report 2005. Press release. Retrieved on 2007-01-22.
  5. ^ France Télécom (2006-07-25). France Télécom a raccordé en Très Haut Débit des clients à Paris et dans les Hauts de Seine (HTML, in French). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
  6. ^ 2ème trimestre 2006 - Résultats provisoires (French). L'Observatoire de l’Internet haut débit. Arcep (2006-08-30).
  7. ^ Le tableau de bord du 30 juin 2006 (French). Observatoire dégroupage et bitstream. ARCEP (2006-08-30).
  8. ^ Iliad (2006-07-31). 1H 2006 Revenues. Press release.
  9. ^ Iliad (March, 2006). 2005 Results Presentation (PDF) (in English). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
  10. ^ Andy Reinhardt (2005-12-05). The Telecom Exploits Of Iliad (English) (HTML). European business. BusinessWeek. Retrieved on August 4, 2006.
  11. ^ iliad (2006-08-22). Telephone line rental is now included in the Freebox subscription in non-unbundled areas. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-23.
  12. ^ Neuf Cegetel (2006-08-17). the end of traditional telephone subscriptions in France. Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-23.
  13. ^ Iliad (2005-11-25). Free est parvenu à délivrer grâce aux technologies DSL un débit maximum de 174 Mbps en réception et 18 Mbps en émission (PDF). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
  14. ^ Iliad (2005-12-01). Freebox TV is now multi-device enabled! (PDF). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
  15. ^ Iliad (2005-06-22). Freebox subscribers now have their own home media center (PDF). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
  16. ^ Iliad (2006-04-19). New HD Freebox Released (PDF). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
  17. ^ Neuf Cegetel (2006-05-30). Neuf Cegetel, leading the way in fixed/mobile convergence, is launching TWIN, the first GSM/WiFi hybrid telephone on the consumer market (HTML). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-04.
  18. ^ France Telecom (2006-05-31). France Telecom Launches the New Orange: a Single Brand for Internet, TV and Mobile, a Leading Brand In Opening Up Digital Services (HTML). Press release. Retrieved on 2006-08-04.

[edit] External links

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