If you are looking for a broadband internet plan, then you may have considered getting DSL service - but you were turned off because of the requirement for a landline telephone. Since cell phones have become hugely popular in Australia, many people haven’t been able to justify the need for two telephone numbers - and the popularity of DSL has suffered. In response, many phone service providers have been offering the option of Naked DSL. Naked DSL provides you with all the same benefits of regular DSL, without the need for a phone line. Let’s take a look at whether this could be the right plan for you.

1. Speed

With naked DSL, you can expect speeds every bit as fast as traditional DSL service. You can even get naked ADSL2+ service, if it is available in your area, to achieve some of the fastest download speeds possible for home internet users.

2. Price

This is one of the greatest advantages of naked DSL service. You’ll not only save on the service fees of having a landline telephone service, but you won’t need to pay for monthly telephone line rental charges, either. The only thing you’ll need to pay for is your internet service, which makes this one of the most economical choices.

3. Download Limits

Whether or not you want download limits is entirely based on your typical internet habits. If you use the internet a lot to watch videos or to download large multimedia files, then you might want to opt for a top-tier unlimited plan. This is also a good idea if you share your internet service with several housemates. If you don’t use the internet as often, but you would still like the blazing fast speeds of naked DSL, then you can pay a lot less for a capped limit.

4. Contract

Signing a contract for several months – or even several years – is a great idea if you know that you will be happy with the service, and you want to lock in a low rate. If you are still trying to decide which internet service will be the best for you, or if you are planning to move in the near future, then you might benefit from the extra flexibility of a month-to-month contract. Luckily, both are available.

5. Location

Location is an important consideration when choosing your naked DSL service. To fully maximize the speed and reliability of your service, you should choose a service provider that is located nearby your home. If you live in an urban area, then it is likely that there will be an exchange nearby; but if you live in a more remote location, then you may not get to experience the full advertised speeds.

6. Extras

It’s always a good idea to try and maximize the amount of extras you receive when you choose a naked DSL plan. Sometimes you can get free online storage space, free email accounts, a free modem, or even a free back-up dial-up account.

7. Bundles

The most common bundle package that is offered with naked DSL service is a VoIP telephone package. VoIP is a new technology that allows you to place extremely low-cost telephone calls over your internet connection. While cell phones are great for many purposes, international calls can often be prohibitively expensive. Bundling with a VoIP service is a great solution for this.

8. Reputation

A final consideration when choosing a naked DSL service provider is the company’s reputation. You want them to have a reliable service, fair prices, and an excellent record of customer support and satisfaction. If you have used a particular provider in the past, then you may already have a good idea of the quality of their service. If not, you may want to ask your neighbours or friends.

While it is not for everyone, naked DSL plans definitely has some important benefits depending on your situation. If you want all the benefits of DSL without the extra costs associated with using your phone line, then naked DSL is something to strongly consider.