Naked ADSL has been available in Australia since November 2007. This alternative to traditional ADSL packages has grown in popularity for various reasons, not in the least because it presents significant cost benefits and compliment VoIP home and business phone systems very well. In this article, we look at what Naked ADSL is and examine its key advantages for homes and businesses.

What’s Naked ADSL?

Naked ADSL is simply a standalone DSL (a type of broadband internet) line without the usual PSTN or analogue telephone service. It’s a broadband internet service that’s provided without the landline. While there is still a physical telephone socket, there’s no dial tone on the line. ‘Naked’ referred to the fact that there’s no analogue phone service and subscribers don’t have to pay for line rental.

Who Can Get Naked ADSL?

Naked DSL is available to millions of people in Australia. Its availability in your area depends on whether it’s been enabled in your local telephone exchange. You can usually find out whether it’s available by checking with your ISP provider, who’ll then look up your telephone number to see the status of your local exchange.

What are the Benefits of Naked ADSL?

Naked ADSL comes with significant advantages, especially those relating to cost.

Cost Efficient

Naked DSL is very cost efficient. With VoIP telephone systems moving into the mainstream, may businesses and homes are finding the extra monthly fee for landline rental unnecessary, a fee which ranges around $20 to $30 or more per month. In most (if not all) cases, a naked broadband plan with VoIP will work out to be more competitively priced than traditional internet and landline, particularly as VoIP call costs tend to be much cheaper.

VoIP phone systems can be tailored to suit the needs of your household or business. Unlike traditional landlines, VoIP systems can be integrated with software which allows you to track calls, set up call management tools and menus, and perform sophisticated automated tasks such as monitor calls and manage call queues.

Reliable

Naked DSL is no different from bundled ADSL services in terms of reliability. It uses existing phone cables just like the other ADSL services.

Widely Available

Naked DSL is widely available in Australia, with most metropolitan areas and capital cities enabled.

How Does it Compare to Mobile Broadband?

Compared with mobile broadband (rather than wireless DSL which uses a wireless ADSL modem to allow you to roam with you home or office), naked DSL tends to be much more reliable. Naked DSL also delivers better bandwidth and speeds. Mobile broadband is based on portable modems with slower or less reliable speeds, and excess bandwidth charges tend to be higher.

Equipment and Setup

Costs of set up of naked DSL are similar to regular broadband packages. These can include line activation, contract fees, excess download, and modems. The modems and cables are used as exactly the same as those used for traditional broadband. Some providers will include a free modem.

Choosing a Naked Broadband Plan

If you’re looking for a naked broadband plan, these are some features to consider:

• Complimentary VoIP account;
• Low local and international call costs;
• Flat monthly rate for VoIP calls; and
• High data allowance and high cap limits.