Well, we knew about it - the basic outline at least - and our article tried to hint it, but now you know for sure. Telstra today announced that mini-ADSL technology will be provided to "residents of Dunlop and most areas of Gungahlin" in time for Christmas. The announcement was made in conjunction with the turning of the first sod of the new exchange in the area.

If you live in the area and want it, you need to register your interest ASAP by emailing southeastnsw@countrywide.telstra.com or calling 1800 073 005. I would be quick too, because my understanding is that there is only limited availability. The solution is available in Palmerston, Nicholls, Ngunnawal, Amaroo, Dunlop and Gungahlin. No information on what the maximum speed will be, but hopefully we can expect speeds of up to 1.5Mbps download and 256kbps upload.

Further information in their official release details that five new mobile base stations will be installed in the area, increasing GSM coverage considerably (including to the area we're in).

Boy is it a relief to get that out! Unfortunately we were a little late in getting this out today, because we had to find out about the release through the local news - the promised "heads-up" from Telstra did not eventuate. Still, we got there in the end, and we've already sent our own email off to register our interest.

This will hopefully have a positive effect for other areas with the same type of problem. You may, of course, have some time to wait, but there's hope yet!