Free ADSL2+ from Dodo amounts to bird feed

ISP Dodo Australia is offering "free" ADSL2+ connections coupled with a complimentary 150MB of download data per month when customers sign up for a Dodo telephone service. That is of course if customers are willing to fork out 18 cents for each megabyte they download over the 150MB limit.

And that's not the only catch. According to Dodo's Web site, half of the 150MB quota is only available between the hours of 1am to 9am. Once the 75MB quota is met (in each of the designated time periods) users must pay 18 cents per megabyte up to a maximum of $29.95 per month. Under such a scenario, customers can expect to receive about 250MB of download for their monthly $29.95 fee.

By comparison, iiNet gives customers 1.5GB of download data per month for $29.95 (plus phone line rental) on its ADSL2+ plans, while Westnet gives customers 500MB a month for its $29.95 ADSL2+ plan.

But that's not the only pitfall customers can expect. According to the fine print, once users reach their data quota they'll also have their ADSL2+ speed capped at 64Kbps.

All the confusing conditions of the deal are detailed on Dodo's signup page, and pasted below:

"All "SUPER FAST ADSL2" plans can only be purchased combined with Dodo Home Phone Total Data allowance is split - 50% between 9am and 1am and 50% between 1am and 9am Excess data charged at 18c per MB up to Capped amount 64Kbps after they reach their usage," reads the site.

In a statement issued by Dodo, managing director, Larry Kestelman, said, "The Australian public has been charged excessive fees for high speed internet access for too long and Dodo is putting an end to this. Unlike other telecommunications providers, Dodo charges line rental once for the home phone connection where other providers are charging the line component twice - once for the home phone line rental and once for the ADSL broadband connection."

In order to qualify for the "free" broadband deal, customers must transfer or connect to a Dodo home phone plan.

Dodo's home phone plans start from $32.90 per month for line rental only. Although Dodo says their costs will be incurred for set up and installation, customers must pay for the supply of a modem, or provide their own.

• Bookmark this page
• Share this article
  •  
  • facebook
  • slashdot
  • digg
  • Reddit
  • stumbleupon
  • linkedin
  • twitter
• Got more on this story? Email ARN
• Follow ARN on twitter

• Share
  Share this article

  •  google+
  • facebookfacebook
  • slashdotslashdot
  • diggdigg
  • RedditReddit
  • stumbleuponstumbleupon
  • linkedinlinkedin
  • twittertwitter
• print
• email
• Bookmark