Welcome to 2010 and the first Westnet Newsletter for the year (and the decade)!

Here’s a thought for you. The good old ‘nineties’ have come and gone and we’ve just passed through the ‘noughties’, so by what nickname will we fondly remember this new decade? Let me know if you’ve any bright ideas!

January’s Newsletter brings you the ins and outs of our updated Broadband 1 and Broadband2+ Reach plans, takes a closer look at just how much info is hidden inside your favourite online music and movies and gives you the chance to have your say in the Australian Broadband Survey 2009.

We all know winners are grinners, so this month we’ve super-sized our Competitions section to include a stack of new release movie passes and other goodies up for grabs. Best of luck!

The Westnet Newsletter is off to a flying start in 2010. Happy New Year and happy reading!

Looking back over 2009, Westnet was proud to be announced PC Authority magazine’s ‘Best Broadband ISP’ for the third year running, as well as focussing on its commitment to first class customer service and packing even more quota-free content into the Westnet Freezone.

2010 promises to be another great year for members, so keep an eye on your inbox for more improvements.  For now, here are a few changes we’ve introduced for the new year:

Plan Changes

In last month’s newsletter we explained the difference between peak and off peak, highlighting the benefits of scheduling downloads to avoid congestion during busy periods online.

For 2010, we’ve updated peak and off peak times and monthly quota amounts on some of our plans. Take a look at our Broadband 1 and Broadband2+ Reach plans for more information. Changes to our Broadband 2+ Pro plans are also in effect (with the exception of Broadband2+ Pro ULL plans).

These updates apply to new Westnet signups. As an existing member, you should have received email notification of any changes affecting you, so check your Westnet mail account.

Pulling some statistics from Westnet’s number-crunchers, we discovered more than twice as much quota is used during peak time, with members averaging 2,243MB during peak hours and just over 930MB during off peak. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to make the most of off-peak periods when online traffic is at its quietest.

Once-off Downgrade Fee

It’s important to choose the right plan to suit your internet usage, while keeping an eye on your online activity from time to time at your MyAccount page. As of 12^th February 2010, a once-off downgrade fee of $29.00 will apply if you choose to change your plan to one of a lesser monthly value.

It’s also worth noting that if you choose to terminate your Westnet account within the first six months of your contract, it will now incur a $69 fee, rather than the previous $55 fee.

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our friendly Support Team on 1300 786 068, or via email at support@westnet.com.au.

Whether it’s to keep in touch with friends and relatives, stay on top of the news, view the latest YouTube sensation or download your favourite new song from iTunes, you can look at your web activity as the sending and receiving of information, or downloads and uploads.

Whenever you open a webpage or view an attachment, your computer is retrieving – or downloading – information from an outside source. When you send an email or update a blog, you’re sending out information – or uploading.

It’s worth noting that uploads aren’t counted towards your monthly quota, only downloads. Normal web browsing won’t consume large portions of your download quota, but it’s important to keep your browsing in check and ensure your plan suits your internet habits. You can see just how much quota you’ve used for the month by selecting ‘My Usage’ in MyAccount.

Dialup users generally appreciate sites that offer simple, easy-to-use designs. Google, for example, contains very few images and banners while free mail servers like Gmail and Hotmail also keep their pages uncluttered and download-friendly.

Using the net to buy new music or rent your favourite TV shows and movies tends to flitter away your quota if you’re not too careful. It kind of goes without saying that these file types use up loads of data, but the amount can vary depending on image or sound quality – so make sure you go with slightly lower quality if you’re not likely to notice it.

To give you a better idea of how much quota certain file types chew through, we’ve pulled some handy stats from the Australian Apple iTunes store.

• 4-minute song ≈ 4 MB
• 5-minute video ≈ 30 MB
• 45-minute TV show ≈ 200 MB
• 2-hour movie ≈ 1.0-1.5 GB

Of course, file size isn’t an issue if you’re downloading content from the Westnet Freezone. It’s stacked with loads of quota-free material including sports, television, online gaming and radio streaming, plus quota-free music, TV shows and films purchased or hired from the Apple iTunes Store. It’s our way of helping you enjoy more online goodies without sacrificing your monthly quota allowance.

If you’re unsure of the size of a file on your computer, there’s a simple way of finding out. Those running a Windows operating system can right click the file and select ‘Properties’ in My Computer or Explorer. Mac users can hold down the ‘Control’ key when clicking the file in Finder, then select ‘Get Info’. You can find more about file sizes and what they mean here.

2009 was big year for broadband in Australia, so now’s the time to reflect on the past year by having your say as part of the Australian Broadband Survey.

Here are a few headliners for 2009:

• The Federal Government’s National Broadband Network gained momentum, aimed at delivering top-quality download speeds to 90% of Australian homes and businesses. Next generation wireless and satellite internet services are set to be delivered to the remainder.
• Internet censorship in Australia certainly got people talking as the fight against criminal and inappropriate content continued. Supporters advocated the need for a safer online environment while detractors suggested the proposal was an ineffective solution, lacking a controlled policing environment.

Broadband even made its way to the Federal Court as part of an AFACT trial, sure to spark legislation talks, regardless of outcome.

So what did you make of it all? The Australian Broadband Survey is your chance to comment on the issues that have directly affected you over the last 12 months. It’s also an opportunity to rate the performance of your ISP and share your experiences.

Westnet is proud to have fared particularly well in previous surveys, voted number one ISP for Customer Satisfaction over the last six years. We know this kind of recognition isn’t the be-all and end-all, but it’s kind of nice to know Westnet members appreciate what we do.

Remember, the Australian Broadband Survey is run by users for the benefit of users, so visit the Australian Broadband Survey 2009 webpage before 31^st January 2010 and make yourself heard.  Hopefully we’ll be able to bring good news surrounding the survey in coming months.

Westnet and Sony Pictures are giving members the chance to win one of 25 in-season double passes to see NINE- the story of one man’s battle between art, love and life.

Passion, fantasy, lust, love, art, style, delusions, dreams – life has always been a circus for world-famous 1960s movie director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) . . . only now he can’t escape it in the vibrant and provocative dramatic musical, NINE.

Renowned for his brilliant moviemaking and desired by many, Guido is about to kick off production on his highly anticipated ninth picture, ITALIA, when, suddenly, the bottom drops out of both his ample creative powers and his fervid love life, as they simultaneously unravel out of control.

Surrounded by a panorama of astonishing women—his tempting mistress Carla (Penélope Cruz), his devoted wife Luisa (Marion Cotillard), his muse Claudia (Nicole Kidman), his costume designer and confidante Lilli (Judi Dench), a flirty journalist from Vogue (Kate Hudson), an instructive prostitute from his childhood (Stacy Ferguson) and his beloved Mamma (Sophia Loren) – Guido searches for inspiration and possible salvation amid the free fall.

For your chance to win one of 25 in-season double passes to NINE, rated ‘M’ only at the movies January 21^st, simply click the ‘Enter’ button in the Westnet Newsletter in your inbox. Entries are limited to one per Westnet username. The competition closes at 12.01am (WST) on Friday February 12^th, 2010.

Westnet and Paramount Pictures are pleased to present Up In the Air – the story of a man ready to make a connection.

From Jason Reitman, the Oscar® nominated director of Juno, comes Up in the Air, a comedy starring Oscar^® winner George Clooney as Ryan Bingham, a corporate hatchet man who loves his life on the road but is forced to fight for his job when his company downsizes its travel budget.

He is required to spend more time at home just as he is on the cusp of a goal he’s worked toward for years: reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and just after he’s met the frequent-traveller woman of his dreams.

To celebrate the release of Up In The Air, only at the movies January 14^th, we’re giving away five Up In The Air Travel Kits. Each kit includes an overnight travel bag with UITA logo, labelled neck rest, suitcase weigher, international travel plug and travel towel, plus two sets of in-ear headphones with double adapter in an embossed tin.

Simply click the ‘Enter’ button in the Westnet Newsletter in your inbox. Entries are limited to one per Westnet username. The competition closes at 12.01am (WST) on Friday February 12^th, 2010.

Westnet and Warner Bros Pictures are giving members the chance to win one of 16 in-season double passes to see Invictus – the story of a President’s unique venture to unite his people.

From director Clint Eastwood, Invictus tells the inspiring true story of how Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), to help unite their country.

Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid.  Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa’s underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match.

Filming on Invictus was accomplished entirely on location in and around the cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa.

For your chance to win one of 16 in-season double passes to Invictus, yet to be classified and in cinemas January 21^st, simply click the ‘Enter’ button in the Westnet Newsletter in your inbox. Entries are limited to one per Westnet username. The competition closes at 12.01am (WST) on Friday February 12^th, 2010.