Private company

Eftel

Logo: http://www.eftel.com/images/uploads/eftel_logo.svg, Non-free logo, via Wikipedia3

Telecommunications company in Australia

Eftel Limited was an 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 and dial-up Internet access, web hosting and telephony services - to the retail, corporate and wholesale telecommunications markets.2 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1999Founded1

Eftel Limited was an 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 and dial-up Internet access, web hosting and telephony services - to the retail, corporate and wholesale telecommunications markets.2

The story

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. The merger doubled the size of the company, providing significant economies of scale, and extended broadband operations into four states.

Read the full text

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

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. 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

2013

Eftel acquired by M2 Group. Eftel continues as a business unit.

2022

Eftel business unit closed down. Eftel web and mail servers continue in place.

From Wikipedia’s article on Eftel, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Products and brands

  • broadband

Listed on Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 1999Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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