We had an enquiry come in last week about Naked DSL availability in Ballarat in Victoria. The options in Ballarat are similar to many large regional centres around Australia, so I thought it would be worth examining what is on offer.

The first thing to note is that not every provider can offer Naked DSL in Ballarat. Why not? For an internet provider to be able to offer Naked DSL they need to have their own DSLAM installed at the local phone exchange. The cost of installing DSLAMs is extremely expensive and so most providers have focused on CBD and metropolitan rollouts of their coverage. If there was a good business case for a DSLAM installation in a regional area then they would have gone ahead with it.

The broadband market in Australian has grown quite regionally. iinet has the widest Naked DSL coverage in WA. Internode has the largest Naked DSL coverage in SA, covering such places as Mount Gambier, Whyalla, Port Lincoln and Murray Bridge. TPG and Optus have more coverage in VIC, NSW and QLD.

So What’s On Offer in Ballarat?

By using the Naked DSL Availability tool, you can see that some providers have Naked DSL in Ballarat. Do they all have their own DSLAMs there? No. They are all currently re-selling services using the Optus DSLAM in the Doveton St, Ballarat phone exchange. So if you liked the look of going with Internode, you would be able to get their plans delivered on the Optus network.

The other providers to offer services are Exetel, Netspace and Dodo. So there is still choice and a variety of plans and pricing that you can select from. If you want high download allowance for gaming or high web usage, then Exetel and Dodo are worth looking at. If you prefer a higher level of customer support and don’t need such a high data allowance, then Internode and Netspace are fantastic options.

What About iinet and TPG?

Unless they also strike a wholesale deal with Optus it is unlikely that either company will be getting Naked DSL in Ballarat very soon. To install a DSLAM in a phone exchange takes months. So seeing they haven’t even announced an installation in Ballarat, I wouldn’t be holding my breathe. You are far better offer going with one of the ISPs that can offer you the service now.

Getting a Static IP With Naked DSL

For a wide range of reasons, a Static IP can be imperative – you may want to host servers or operate a Virtual Private Network (VPN). This this a comprehensive guide of each Naked DSL provider and when they offer a Static IP.

Here are the Static IP Reviews:

iinet offers a Static IP for free on Naked DSL Business Plans. Their business plans also offer Annex M for greater upload speeds. iinet does not offer a Static IP on residential Naked DSL plans.

Click Here to See iinet’s Naked DSL Business Plans

Internode offers a Static IP on its SOHO and Business Naked DSL plans. They also offer Annex M for greater upload speeds on business plans. Internode residential plans do not come with a Static IP.

Click Here to See Internode’s Naked DSL Business Plans

All of the TPG Naked DSL plans come with a free Static IP. As you don’t have to go on a specialised business plan, getting a Static IP with TPG is starts at only $59.99 per month.

Click Here to See TPG’s Naked DSL Plans at Your Location

Optus do not offer any Naked DSL plans currently with a Static IP. If you want Naked DSL with a Static IP you will have to look at other Providers. The Optus Naked DSL plans are currently focused on residential customers.

Click Here to See Optus Plans With A Dynamic IP

Exetel provides a Static IP as a standard inclusion on all their Naked DSL plans. This includes their residential plans which start at $45 per month, making Exetel one of the the cheapest options for getting a Static IP.

Click Here to See Exetel’s Naked DSL Plans at Your Location

Dodo offers a free Static IP address on all of its Naked DSL plans. The starting price is $39.99 unbundled or only $29.99 per month if you bundle with a Dodo mobile service.

Click Here to Register Your Interest in Dodo’s Naked DSL

Netspace provides the option of a free Static IP address on Naked DSL SOHO plans. Netspace residential plans do not have the option of a Static IP. The SOHO Naked DSL plans start at $74.95 per month.

Click Here to See Netspace’s Naked DSL Plans