Telstra today confirmed it would allow customers on pair gain to convert their phone lines to true copper at no charge, removing one of the main barriers to getting ADSL.

Customers with 'pair gain' on their services have typically been unable to get ADSL, which relies on the physical characteristics of 'clean' copper phone lines - the ability to transmit certain frequencies.

Pair gain units allow up to 16 phone services to be run over one physical line through use of digital units at either end of the cable. Likewise, RIM units allow a large number of phone services to be provided over optical fibre. Both technologies prevent ADSL connections.

The new offer appears to build on Telstra's February offer to convert customers' ANT-1 units to true copper services. Telstra Broadband Chief Justin Milne confirmed to Whirlpool that the program extended to all types of 'access electronics'.

But Milne cautioned that there were important caveats on the offer: an existing, spare copper line would have to be available in the customer's street, and normal ADSL qualification procedures would still be enforced (e.g. ADSL enabled exchange, distance from the exchange, and no other interfering services or incompatible products such as ISDN on the line.)

Customers also wouldn't be able to get the freebie if they already had an existing 'clean' copper line available at the premises.

According to Milne, the copper line transfer program has been operating since May 5th.

He said the program would be offered at no charge, but warned that Telstra reserved the right to review it at a later date based on its experience of the program.

The full letter to ISPs from Telstra is included in the article continuation.

Letter from Telstra sent to ISPs

"Where an ADSL request fails Service Qualification due to the presence of a PGS, Telstra will check for an alternate path and if available, perform the transposition.

If alternate paths are being pursued, the order will appear as rejected on the daily report set. The reject reason will be "xDSL - Alternate path check under way".

If an alternate path cannot be found you generally will be advised within 2 business days of the original rejection. The reject reason will change to "xDSL - Alternate path not found".

If an alternate path is available the transposition will proceed. An extended provisioning time is required to allow the additional work to take place. It is expected that this could take up to 14 days.

Once the transposition has been completed the status of the order will change to "Issued" on the daily report set. The ADSL service will be provided within 5 days of the status changing to "Issued".

If an existing ADSL capable copper path is found at the premises that belongs to the same end user the transposition will not proceed. The order will be rejected via the daily report set. The reject reason will be "xDSL - Existing copper path at premises".

Links:

• Disappointment for RIM victims  (Whirlpool, 24 Apr 2003)
• Telstra to offer antidote to ANT-1 bytes  (Whirlpool, 12 Jan 2003)