# Eftel > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Eftel > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Eftel.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eftel > Source revision: 1356464153 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Telecommunications company in Australia This article needs more citations. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Eftel" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (January 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Eftel Limited Type Subsidiary Industry Internet service provider Telecommunications Founded 1999 Defunct 2022 Headquarters Melbourne, Victoria Products Broadband Wholesale Internet Services Dialup Telephony Parent M2 Group Website www.eftelretail.com **Eftel Limited** was an [internet service provider](/source/Internet_service_provider) and telecommunications provider in Australia, with approximately 120,000 active accounts. It was established in 1999. Eftel offers a range of services including: [DSL](/source/DSL) and dial-up Internet access, web hosting and telephony services - to the retail, corporate and wholesale telecommunications markets. Eftel's services are delivered through a nationwide network of points of presence in all capital cities and regional areas around Australia. The network architecture and technology allows for the supply of voice, data or video services simultaneously; giving the capability to supply local and long-distance calls, high-speed data, Internet and video conferencing services to its customers. In 2013, Eftel was acquired by the rival M2 Group (now [Vocus Group](/source/Vocus_Group)) for approximately $44.1 million.[1] The company and its former subsidiaries, including [aaNet](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=AaNet&action=edit&redlink=1) and [ClubTelco](/source/ClubTelco) now operate as brands of M2.[2] ## History **1999** Datafast commenced as a trunked radio network operator in Victoria. From 1999 to 2001, it developed a 34 Mbit/s ATM backbone network in western Victoria. Ultimately the network extended to Mount Gambier in South Australia, with a hub in Melbourne and links to other state capitals. **2000** Eftel started as an Internet service provider (ISP) based in Perth, Western Australia. **2001** Datafast acquired a VoIP (Voice over Internet Provider) telecommunications company, and VivaNET, a wholesale only ISP. **2002** Datafast merged with Eftel, an ISP and broadband telecommunications carrier.[3] The merger doubled the size of the company, providing significant economies of scale, and extended broadband operations into four states. **2003** Through consolidation and other initiatives, Datafast significantly reduced its networking costs, established a Layer-2 ADSL service, and extended the network to South Australia and the Northern Territory. These initiatives helped the company to take advantage of two current trends: industry consolidation and the take-up of broadband Internet access. In late 2003, Datafast acquired ISPs KeyPoint, EZ Web, and Impaq. These purchases raised the size of the customer base to 85,000 and extended broadband coverage to Tasmania, completing the national roll-out. **2004** In January 2004, Datafast acquired NSW ISP Planet Netcom, adding a further 15,000 accounts and bringing the total customer base to over 100,000, making the company one of Australia's 10 largest ISPs. In June 2004, Datafast acquired Bunbury based ISP OzzieNet, and in October Datafast acquired Affinity, a Melbourne-based ISP and its umbrella of brands, taking the total number of active accounts on the Datafast network to 120,000. **2005** Acquired ViaNetAIP and MyAccess. Launched Speak voice product, packaged retail product range and Broadband over PowerLines (BPL). Datafast Telecommunications Ltd changes name to Eftel Limited. **2006** Acquired aaNet, a specialist broadband provider. Launched Speak voice product, packaged retail product range and Broadband over PowerLines (BPL). Datafast Telecommunications Ltd changes name to Eftel Limited. **2007** Eftel became the first company in Australia to announce a VDSL2 rollout. The technology will enable theoretical speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s, about 4 times faster than ADSL2+. However, as of October 2009, the VDSL2 rollout is still at the "expressions of interest" stage with no services in active operation; the aaNet VDSL2 EOI page can be seen here. [http://www.aanet.com.au/vdsl_news](http://www.aanet.com.au/vdsl_news) **2011** Eftel completed a merger with ClubTelco a premium consumer focused telecommunications company that rewards its members with a range of benefits. This merger has seen the company double in size. In August 2011, Eftel acquired wholesale telecommunications service provider [Platform Networks Pty Ltd](http://www.platformnetworks.net/). Platform Networks is a Sydney-based growing wholesale aggregator. **2012** In June 2011, Eftel announced the acquisition of the corporate and residential customer bases of West Australian Networks (www.westnet.net.au). On 6 August 2012 Eftel announced the acquisition of Visage Telecom [4] **2013** Eftel acquired by M2 Group. Eftel continues as a business unit. **2022** Eftel business unit closed down.[5] Eftel web and mail servers continue in place. ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-CW_1-0)** McDonald, Stephanie (13 May 2013). ["M2 closes Eftel offer"](http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/461609/m2_closes_eftel_offer/). Computerworld. Retrieved 2015-10-03. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["M2 Acquires Dodo, Possibly Eftel | Compare Broadband"](https://www.comparebroadband.com.au/broadband-articles/dodo-news-id22/m2-acquires-dodo-possibly-eftel-id1043/). *www.comparebroadband.com.au*. Retrieved 2020-10-20. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Eftel buys small Sydney ISP"](https://www.itnews.com.au/news/eftel-buys-small-sydney-isp-311074). *iTnews*. Retrieved 2020-10-20. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Eftel Acquires Visage Telecom Pty Ltd"](http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20120806/pdf/427w33llx2l1hn.pdf) (PDF). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["eftel - Closed - Dodo"](https://www.dodo.com/eftel). *www.dodo.com*. Retrieved 2024-01-26. ## External links - [Official website](http://www.eftel.com) v t e Retail service providers of Australia (Internet) Economy of Australia Internet censorship Retail Service Providers (RSPs) Aussie Broadband Pennytel Dreamtilt Vocus Amnet Commander Dodo Services iPrimus Launtel Optus Origin Net SkyMesh Superloop Exetel Telstra Belong TPG Telecom iiNet Vodafone Uniti Internet Wholesale Service Providers (WSPs) nbn Vocus Nextgen Networks PIPE Networks TPG Telecom AAPT Agile Communications Chime Communications Origin Net Telstra Wholesale Zettagrid Former Adam Internet Amcom Eftel ClubTelco Clear Networks AOL7 Engin AusBBS BigAir Bigpond Chariot Connect.com.au Grapevine M2 Group MyRepublic Neighbourhood Cable Netspace One.Tel OPEL Networks OzEmail Pacific Internet Pegasus Networks People Telecom Pacnet Virgin Broadband Internode Westnet Related topics Internet in Australia National Broadband Network Metadata collection Act Mass surveillance in Australia Privacy in Australian law --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Eftel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eftel) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eftel?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.