YOUR MISSION: To ditch monthly line rental, get fast ADSL2+ internet speeds, get all the data allowance you need and get it all for a great price.

WARNING: This secret plan is intended only for those who are serious about never having to pay line rental again. If you harbour sympathies for line rental, and enjoy paying $30 every month, then Naked DSL is not for you. We don’t need you on our side. Go and join the enemy. Sign up for Telstra HomeLine Plus rental at $29.95 per month and enjoy your 39 cent flagfall on calls.  Maybe you should also join Bigpond ADSL2+ for $59.95 per month too. And get…wait for it…a measley 600MB of uploads and downloads. Oh what a rip off!

But if you are serious about getting Naked DSL, then read on. This Top Secret Great Plan is for you.

Step 1: Check You Can Get Naked DSL At Your Local Phone Exchange

This is pretty easy to do. Simply go to the Naked DSL checker on the home page of this site. (It will open in a new window so you can refer to this document as well as the results of the check). If you have a Telstra based landline phone number you can enter your phone number. You can also enter your address or phone exchange to see if you can get Naked DSL. If something isn’t working or isn’t making sense you can contact us for help.

Step 2: Determine The Next Step Based on Availability

If Naked DSL is available at your exchange then move straight to Step 3. If there are no Naked DSL providers available to you, then you can Register for Updates and we’ll keep you in touch with any new developments in your exchange. You can always contact us for some advice if you are unsure what other broadband options would be good for you.

Step 3: Do You Have A Phone Line Or Will You Need To Connect One?

This is a really important step when connecting to Naked DSL and one that is fraught with much confusion. This Top Secret Plan will be your guide. If you already have a Telstra based copper phone line then skip to Step 6.

If you live in a unit or apartment complex, then you will need to have a landline connected before applying for Naked DSL. This is because of the complexity of cabling between your unit and the MDF (Main Distribution Frame – the central connection point for telecommunications in your building).  Move to Step 4.

If you live in a house there are several possibilities. If a Telstra based phone line has at some time previously been connected at the house, then skip to Step 5. If a Telstra line has never been connected there because the house is brand new or only an Optus connection has existed there, you’ll need to connect a Telstra line, so move to move to Step 4.

Step 4: You Need To Connect a Telstra Landline

If a Telstra line has previously been connected at your apartment and it was only disconnected fairly recently, then it should just be $59 to reconnect. If Telstra needs to send out a technician it will be $125 to reconnect it. This usually only applies when a line has not been active for a long time – usually over 12 months.

If there has never been a Telstra phone connection at your house or apartment then it will be a $299 connection fee. But without the line connected you will never be able to get Naked DSL, ADSL2+ or ADSL.

Whether you need a $59 or a $299 phone line connection, I would recommend not calling Telstra to connect this line. They recently introduced a nasty fee for disconnecting a phone line within 3 months. This was no doubt introduced as a direct retaliation in their war against Naked DSL. I suggest getting iinet’s Phone 1 if iinet has Naked DSL in your area or Internode NodeLine. iinet and Internode can connect the Telstra line for you at the same price as Telstra charges, but there will not be any early disconnection fees!

Step 5: A Telstra Line Was Connected At Your House But Is Currently Not Active

Many Naked DSL providers can connect Naked DSL on an inactive Telstra line. But some will not – most notably TPG and Exetel. If you get to the end of your Naked DSL mission and want to connect with TPG or Exetel, then you’re going to have to go back to Step 4 and connect a landline first.

If you end up choosing iinet, Internode or Netspace then you will be able to apply for Naked DSL at your address, without reactivating the phone line first. This will save you at least a $59 reconnection fee and perhaps even more.

Step 6: How Much Do You Want To Spend Each Month?

Deciding on your monthly budget for Naked DSL is a good place to start. You’ll find out soon enough whether it’s a realistic budget for what you need! Move on to Step 7.

Step 7: How Much Data Do You Want Each Month?

In case you’re unfamiliar with what data is, it is the amount of information you download and upload by using the internet. If you’re downloading a lot of music and movies then you’re going to need more data allowance than someone who likes to check their email a few times a week and surf the web occassionally. Here is a general guide:

• Light users of the internet will need between 1GB and 10GB per month.
• If you have several people sharing your connection and you like some movies, music or gaming, then you may need between 10GB and 25GB per month
• If you eat through data then 25GB and higher is going to be a necessity. There are some high level Naked DSL plans that offer in excess of 100GB per month!

Once you have a monthly budget and desired data allowance in mind, move on to Step 8.

Step 8: Do You Want a VoIP Phone Service To Make Calls?

A VoIP phone service means you can make and receive phone calls through your internet connection. A good VoIP solution is one where you get a local phone number so people can call you. Only iinet, Internode, Exetel and TPG  currently provide a VoIP service with a local phone number. iinet and Exetel are the only options if you want to keep your existing phone number.

VoIP is easy to set up if you have a VoIP enabled modem. You simply plug your standard home phone into the modem! You don’t need to buy special handsets or adapters.

The benefit of VoIP is the incredible cost saving compared to traditional rates. iinet has unlimited free local and national calls to landlines with Naked DSL VoIP! Internode includes $10 of free credit each month. Try comparing that to Telstra HomeLine Plus

If you want VoIP from your Naked DSL provider, then you’ll need to narrow your choice down to iinet, Internode or TPG.

Step 9: Compare And Pick The Best Plans Plans At Your Exchange

Now you need to go back to the results of the Naked DSL availability check that you did in Step 1. Look at plans that fit within your monthly budget. Can you get enough data allowance for the money you want to spend? Make adjustments to your budget or data allowance expectations when necessary.

If you have only one or two Naked DSL options at your exchange, this step could be very easy. If you have lots of available options then it may prove more challenging. Here is a brief review of each provider:

• iinet – can install Naked DSL on an inactive Telstra line. iinet has a great VoIP service with free unlimited calls to landlines in Australia. iinet allows you to move your existing phone number to VoIP. iinet has peak and (generous) off peak periods for the data allowance. Uploads are counted by iinet as well as downloads.
• Internode – can install Naked DSL on an inactive Telstra line. Internode has a great VoIP service with $10 of free credit each month. Internode doesn’t have any off peak period, just use your data when you want to. They only count downloads in the data allowance which is a benefit.
• Netspace – can install Naked DSL on an inactive Telstra line. Netspace doesn’t currently have a quality VoIP service with a local phone number. Some Netspace plans have off peak periods, some don’t. They only count downloads in the data allowance which is a benefit.
• TPG – you must have an active phone line to apply for TPG Naked DSL. TPG has a VoIP service which includes a certain amount of free minutes each month to landlines in capital cities. The TPG Naked DSL with VoIP plans are their only ones which count uploads as part of the data allowance.
• Exetel - you must have an active phone service to apply for Exetel Naked DSL. Exetel has a VoIP service and can transfer your existing phone number to the VoIP service. Exetel only counts downloads in the data allowance.
• Dodo – can install Naked DSL on an inactive Telstra line. Dodo doesn’t have a VoIP bundle currently with Naked DSL, but they do have a Mobile Phone bundle. Dodo plans have peak and off peak periods and some plans have excess fees for exceeding the data allowance. Uploads and downloads are counted.

Step 10: Final Considerations

Set Up Fee – There is a fairly standard set up fee with Naked DSL that is usually $79 to about $150 depending on your contract length. The notable exceptions are Netspace with free set up on a 24 month contract with BYO modem or a standard modem and Exetel with a $60 set up fee. We also like the iinet 24 month contract with the Fair Contract Guarantee – if you leave early there are no exit fees, you simply pay back any discounts you received at the time of connection.

Modems – In most cases you will be able to use your existing modem with your new Naked DSL supplier. Just make sure it is ADSL2+ enabled to get maximum speed. If you want a new modem it is easy and convenient to buy one from the ISP when you sign up. They will usually come pre-configured, to make the set up easier for you. The iinet BoB modem is proving to be very popular. If you want an alternate ADSL2+, 4 port, wireless modem we also like Open Networks, Billion and most of the well-known brands.

Set Up Time – Naked DSL usually takes 2 to 4 weeks to set up, so it’s slightly longer than just getting ADSL2+. But how much better is it not having that line rental any more! If you are moving from ADSL2+ to Naked DSL you may not have an internet connection for 1 to 2 weeks. You will need to disconnect your current ADSL2+ service, but put in your application for Naked DSL first. You new provider will let you know when you should disconnect your current service. We look forward to when “fast churn” is available. If you are transferring from ADSL to Naked DSL, some providers may have very minimal downtime and others are not quite so quick. If you have any questions about downtime or the connection process, then please contact us.

Step 11: It’s Time To Sign Up

After you decide on the plan and provider you like the best simply click the ‘Sign Up’ button on the page which summarises all options at your exchange. It will take you directly to the provider’s site for you to sign up.

Otherwise for some quick sign up links, here you go:

• Sign Up with iinet
• Sign Up with Internode
• Sign Up with TPG
• Sign Up with Netspace
• Sign Up with Exetel
• Sign Up with Dodo

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: Well Done! You will now get fast internet at a great price, with no more line rental. Having accomplished your mission to connect Naked DSL, you now join our prestigious and honourable band of merry men and women.

Thanks to Karen (@kbeilz) for the idea for this “Top Secret Great Plan” document.

The Burwood exchange in Victoria has been a hard luck story for quite a while. TPG was initially planning on launching ADSL2+ there in 2007. It never happened and the TPG website still has “Delayed” next to the Burwood exchange. It has never gone past the planning stage.

But the wait may almost be over!

iinet has installed their ADSL2+ equipment in Burwood, so Naked DSL and decent priced ADSL2+ should be available there very soon. iinet is currently saying that these services will be available in the 3rd week of September 2009. We are all hoping for no unforeseen delays!

If you’d like to be notified of updates to Naked DSL and ADSL2+ in Burwood, simply click the link and fill out your details. As soon as iinet Naked DSL and ADSL2+ are available in Burwood, we’ll send you an email. iinet is going to be very popular in the Burwood area!

Sign Up With iinet >>

Naked DSL and ADSL2+ Broadband are now available in Murray Bridge!

Internode has recently added more equipment to the Murray Bridge phone exchange, which means Naked DSL is now available to order. Internode is an Adelaide based company that is consistently one of the highest rated Internet Service Providers for customer service and network quality.

When you order Naked DSL from Internode you can also get a free VoIP account with $10 of free credit each month.  VoIP makes your phone calls through your internet connection rather than the Telstra phone network, and is consequently far cheaper. For example untimed calls to any landline in Australia are only 18 cents!

With a VoIP enabled modem, you can continue to make phone calls using your standard home phone or even your hands free home phone.

Internode’s Naked DSL Extreme plans start at just $49.95 per month. You can connect to Naked DSL with Internode regardless of whether you do or don’t have an active Telstra phone line. Just put in the application with whatever you currently have!

We recommend connecting to Naked DSL, but if you prefer to keep your landline, you can also get ADSL2+ Broadband in Murray Bridge now too with Internode. Internode can also bundle your ADSL2+ and landline service together for convenient billing. This service is called Nodeline, and for most people the Internode phone rates will be better than Telstra’s. Not as good as using VoIP, but still an improvement over Telstra rates.

If you would like to see the Internode Naked DSL plans, click here. In Murray Bridge you can get the Extreme plans which are on the Internode Network. So just ignore the Optus network plans, which are not as good value anyway. If you’re ready to put in an application with Internode then:

Click Here To Sign Up With Internode >>

Ellenbrook is a fast growing area, about 30km north east of Perth, Western Australia. Fortunately for residents in the Ellenbrook area, iinet has installed their ADSL2+ and Naked DSL equipment in the local exchange.

Click Here to See the iinet Plans >>

Ellenbrook Naked DSL and ADSL2+ Broadband

iinet is currently the only option for Naked DSL or ADSL2+ at the Ellenbrook exchange. There is talk of other ISPs coming to the Ellenbrook exchange too, but nothing is available yet. If you are unsure of whether you are in the Ellenbrook exchange for broadband, then enter your landline phone number in the Naked DSL checker. If you don’t have a landline, then you can contact us for broadband help.

iinet Naked DSL will enable you to:

• sign up for Naked DSL from $49.95 per month
• keep your exsiting landline phone number
• get a free VoIP service with unlimited local and national phone calls
• speak for free to family members also on iinet VoIP
• install Naked DSL without having an active phone line
• get access to the iinet Freezone with free downloads from iTunes, on demand Super 14 matches and more
• excellent 24/7 customer service

To view the iinet Naked DSL plans click here.

iinet ADSL2+ Plans start at just $39.95 per month. They will suit you best if you want to keep your landline for some reason.

iinet is of course a great Western Australian success story. Their headquarters are in Perth and they are now the 3rd largest Internet Service Provider in Australia. They are the largest provider of Naked DSL services by a long way.

Click here to sign up with iinet >>

Quakers Hill is a fairly new residential development in western Sydney, about 45km from the Sydney CBD. There have been thousands of homes built in Quakers Hill and surrounding suburbs in the past decade. Sometimes new developments in Australia struggle to get decent broadband, Naked DSL and ADSL2+ services – but on the whole Quakers Hill has some great broadband alternatives.

Quakers Hill Naked DSL and ADSL2+ Broadband

iinet and TPG are currently the options for Naked DSL at the Quakers Hill exchange. This exchange actually takes in parts of several suburbs. It includes parts of Acacia Gardens, Colebee, Dean Park and The Ponds. If you are unsure of whether you are in the Quakers Hills exchange for broadband, then enter your landline phone number in the Naked DSL checker. If you don’t have a landline, then you can contact us for broadband help.

Optus also has a DSLAM at the Quakers Hill exchange, but there are currently no available ports. Which means all the ISPs which use the Optus Naked DSL or ADSL2+ network in Quakers Hill are currently unavailable. These ISPs include Internode, Exetel, Netspace and Dodo – as well as Optus.

Yet Quakers Hill is fortunate to still have two good options to get Naked DSL. These options come from iinet and TPG.

iinet will be the better option if you want:

• Naked DSL for $49.95 per month
• to keep your exsiting landline phone number
• a free VoIP service with unlimited local and national phone calls
• to speak for free to family members also on iinet VoIP
• to install Naked DSL without having an active phone line
• access to the iinet Freezone with free downloads from iTunes, on demand Super 14 matches and more
• excellent 24/7 customer service

To view the iinet plans click here.

TPG will suit you better if you:

• want really high download allowances e.g 25GB peak + 25GB off peak for $59.99 per month
• want free uploads. You don’t want them counted. TPG only counts downloads!
• already have a landline phone line installed
• want a great deal on bundling your mobile phone with your broadband
• don’t need a VoIP home phone service
• want a Static IP address

To view the TPG plans click here.

The Hills District of Sydney is one of the fastest growing business and residential areas of Sydney. It’s situated about 30km north west of the Sydney CBD.

Baulkham Hills Naked DSL and Broadband

iinet and TPG are the only options for Naked DSL at the Baulkham Hills exchange. This exchange actually takes in parts of several suburbs. It includes parts of Baulkham Hills, Winston Hills, Crestwood, Northmead and Castle Hill. If you are unsure of whether you are in the Baulkham Hills exchange for broadband, then enter your landline phone number in the Naked DSL checker. If you don’t have a landline, then you can contact us for broadband help.

iinet will be the better option if you want:

• Naked DSL for $49.95 per month
• to keep your exsiting landline phone number
• a free VoIP service with unlimited local and national phone calls
• to speak for free to family members also on iinet VoIP
• to install Naked DSL without having an active phone line
• access to the iinet Freezone with free downloads from iTunes, on demand Super 14 matches and more
• excellent 24/7 customer service

To view the iinet plans click here.

TPG will suit you better if you:

• want really high download allowances e.g 25GB peak + 25GB off peak for $59.99 per month
• want free uploads. You don’t want them counted. TPG only counts downloads!
• already have a landline phone line installed
• want a great deal on bundling your mobile phone with your broadband
• don’t need a VoIP home phone service
• want a Static IP address

To view the TPG plans click here.

Naked DSL is making an impact on the broadband market in Australia. No doubt about it – otherwise why would Telstra be raising the price of disconnecting a landline within the first 3 months of connection?

There is now a $100 fee associated with having a “temporary” line. In other words a PSTN line that is disconnected within 3 months of connecting it. Here is the news on their website. In typical Telstra fashion they are increasing fees, rather than trying to compete on services and value.

Some may argue that they are simply recouping the cost of what it takes to connect a line. But for anyone who has done it recently, to connect a line without a technician visit it is $59. It takes a maximum of 10 minutes on the phone and then you’re done. Maybe there is some work required in the phone exchange, but if there is, it’s only minor. $100 as an early disconnection fee seems pretty rich.

One of the most common reasons for disconnecting a landline so quickly is for someone to move to Naked DSL. This move by Telstra will definitely advantage Naked DSL ISPs like iinet, Internode and Netspace. They are all ISPs which can connect Naked DSL without you needing a landline to get the process started.

The ISPs that will suffer from this are  TPG and Exetel, which currently require their customers to have a Telstra line connected before they start the Naked DSL process. It was a popular option for people to connect a line just to get Naked DSL started with TPG or Exetel. That is something that we will be recommending less to people now there is an additional $100 fee.

iinet already has a significant portion of the Naked DSL market, and this is only likely to help them. Internode and Netspace have also become increasing popular for people wanting to connect broadband without a landline. Both providers have free uploads (unlike iinet) and Netspace has introduced some very high data limits  on its plans. $49.99 gives 10GB of downloads and $59.99 gives 20GB of downloads. And like iinet, Internode and Netspace don’t require you to have a landline to get started with Naked DSL.

Netspace has just revamped their Naked DSL plans with some great new deals. The two lower plans don’t have any peak/off peak periods – the data allowance can be used at any time. Netspace now has an entry level plan of $49.95 which matches Internode and iinet, but Netspace trumps them both with 10GB of data. But only downloads are counted and uploads are free.

The next step up is $59.95 for 20GB of anytime data usage, which compares very favourably to other offers in the market. TPG, Exetel and Dodo all have more data allowance for the same price, but they have a lot of the data which can only be used in off peak periods.

If you want the high off peak download component, then $69.95 per month will give you 25GB in peak times and 30GB in off peak. The off peak period on this plan runs from 5am until midday, which is reasonable.

The highest Netspace plan, has also become a better deal. The price has now dropped to $99.95 for 160GB – 40GB in peak times and 120GB in off peak. The off peak period on this plan runs from 3am until 10am. This plan is only available on a 24 month contract, whereas the cheaper Netspace Naked DSL plans have 0, 6, 12 and 24 month contract options.

We really like these plan improvements from Netspace, especially at the $49.95 price point. It’s a cheaper plan than it was and now comes with more data. Considering Netspace also doesn’t charge for uploads, it’s a generous data allowance to be used any time.

Netspace is also one of the providers that can connect Naked DSL without you needing to have an active phone line. If you go to the Netspace sign up page you can enter in either your current active telephone number or you can enter in your address to see if you can get Naked DSL at your location.

Click here to visit the Netspace website

You may have only just heard about Naked DSL and wondering what on earth it is. Or maybe you just stumbled across this website and are intrigued. So here is a basic run-down of 6 points – what Naked DSL is, its benefits and why it can suit you.

1. Naked DSL is an ADSL2+ internet connection

Because it’s a DSL service, the internet is carried over a copper wire. The copper wire runs from the local telephone exchange directly to your house or unit and has traditionally been used as a phone line.

2. Naked DSL does not require an active phone service

Since some decisions by the ACCC in 2006 relating to wholesale charges by Telstra, it became economically viable for Internet Service Providers to use the copper just for providing internet. There doesn’t have to be an active phone service connected to it. This has been technically possible for years, but financially unviable as a product for ISPs to sell until the ACCC determinations.

3. Internet without a phone line will save you money

Line rental has increased a staggering amount over the past decade from when it was about $13 per month. It’s now up to $30 or $35 per month for most homes and about $40 per month for businesses. Extortion! So if you don’t need the landline, then save yourself $30 or $40 per month by going with Naked DSL!

4. What if you still need to make phone calls?

This is a really common question. Many internet providers will give you a free Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) account. If you are unfamiliar with VoIP it uses your internet connection to make phone calls. In most cases the quality of VoIP is fantastic. Check out our Naked DSL Providers page to see which ISPs will supply you with a free VoIP service.

The other option is to use your mobile phone for all calls. This is an especially popular option for people on Mobile Cap plans and to call other mobile phones. Calling mobiles is expensive from a phone line or even on VoIP, so if you can do it on your mobile, within your Cap, then it’s a great option.

5. Will VoIP save me money?

It’s almost guaranteed to. iinet’s iiTalk VoIP for example gives you unlimited free Local and National (STD) calls – with no monthly minimum. I challenge you to find a landline provider that will do that! Internode has no monthly access fee on their NodePhone-2 Special account, but it gives you $10 of free credit each month! No landline provider does that.

Most VoIP providers will also give you free calls to others using their VoIP service. So if you get a few of your family and friends on the same provider you’ll be able to call each other for free!

6. Is Naked DSL a better option than wireless?

Wireless is great for being portable. You can’t take your Naked DSL connection into the city for the day! But if both are available in your area then Naked DSL has some significant advantages. In most cases Naked DSL will be significantly faster, with a majority of customers getting speeds above 10Mbps and some clearing 20Mbps! Most wireless services won’t go anywhere near that fast.

Naked DSL is also considerably cheaper for the speed and amount of data allowance you get. Most wireless plans give 5GB or maybe 10GB. With Naked DSL there are plans for up to 150GB of data per month!

The Naked DSL connection is far more stable and of higher quality for using gaming or VoIP. Wireless can do it in some cases, but an ADSL2+ service will be far more effective for most people.

We are excited to announce the Beta version of the Naked DSL Phone Number Checker. We believe it to be the first and only such tool in Australia to check availability of Naked DSL from a variety of leading ISPs.

By inserting your 10 digit landline phone number (area code + 8 digits), our database will advise you of which telephone exchange you are connected to and which ISPs can provide Naked DSL there. You will then be presented with the options of available Naked DSL plans from those providers. This database involves complex information combining telephone exchange records, available Naked DSL providers, port availability records and the latest plan information. Check it out now!

We have also added the function of being able to compare up to 5 plans in detail side-by side. After you have searched and compared the available providers and plans, we provide a ‘Sign Up Now’ link to visit the website of your favoured provider so you can submit an application and get things started!

What If You Don’t Have a Phone Number?

Many people looking for Naked DSL won’t have a current telephone number that they can enter into the checker. There are a couple of solutions to this:

1) You can enter in the phone number of someone living close to you. As broadband in Australia is supplied from phone exchanges, people in the same street and suburb as you are likely connected to the same exchange. There are exceptions to this, so if you want a more detailed check, please contact us.

2) Send us your address and we’ll get back to you shortly with your exchange and available providers and plans.

We are currently working on some mapping solutions for address checking, so we’ll keep you updated on that progress. So if you haven’t tried it already, go enter in your phone number and see what Naked DSL plans are available for you!

Click Here for the Naked DSL Phone Number Checker