Eftel claims "several thousand" interested in BroadbandNext

More than 2,000 people have been added to the BroadbandNext network, according to a statement issued by EFTel, since live testing completed last month. In addition, EFTel has received "several thousand" registrations of interest, said CEO Simon Ehrenfield.

The company has bold plans for BroadbandNext, with the Web site stating that at completion of stage one, the network will reach more than 2.3 million Australians.

The ISP has gained attention for its proposed plans to provide download speeds much greater than current ADSL2+. By using VDSL technology, sales and marketing m,anager Rick Swancott previously told PC Authority he believes EFTel will see achievable speeds of up to 50-70MPbs at 500 metres from the exchange.

While the EFTel VDSL website says the technology is "about to be launched" in Australia, the technology is believed to be still undergoing ratification.

Meanwhile EFTel is pushing to be a major broadband provider, with plans to have more than 50 exchanges enabled by the end of the financial year. Ehrenfeld said he anticipates "a return to the acquisition path in 2008-09."

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