iiNet
Australian internet service provider and telecommunications brand offering broadband, mobile and home connectivity services.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
iiNet is an Australian telecommunications and internet-service brand whose roots lie in Perth, Western Australia. Founded in 1993 by Michael Malone and Michael O'Reilly as iiNet Technologies, the business emerged during the early commercial development of the Australian Internet market. It was an early Australian provider of TCP/IP access and PPP dial-up connectivity and was notable for building its operations around Linux at a time when many providers relied on older store-and-forward systems. The company began in a suburban garage, moved into a Perth central-business-district office in 1995, and grew during a period when local internet access was fragmented among numerous small providers. The company's initial market was Western Australia, but it gradually developed a national footprint through acquisitions, infrastructure investment and wholesale arrangements. After Michael Malone acquired full control, iiNet listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in September 1999. It used the capital and the consolidation of the Australian ISP sector to acquire Perth competitors including Wantree Internet and Omen Internet, as well as a number of smaller providers. The company also expanded outside Western Australia, including a 1996 South Australian operation and later acquisitions serving regional Victoria, Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales, the Northern Territory and other markets. A major part of iiNet's growth strategy was investment in its own DSLAM infrastructure. From late 2004 through 2006, it deployed iiNet DSLAMs in telephone exchanges around Australia, enabling ADSL and ADSL2/2+ plans with speeds beyond the limits of many wholesale arrangements. This infrastructure helped differentiate the company from smaller resellers and supported the development of a broader telecommunications portfolio. iiNet introduced long-distance and fixed-line products under the iiPhone name in 2004–05, followed by iiNetPhone, a consumer Voice over Internet Protocol service. The company also created a telecommunications entity that became Chime Communications in an effort to obtain more competitive wholesale access. Acquisitions remained central to the brand's expansion. In 2003 iiNet acquired New Zealand provider ihug, although the subsidiary was sold to Vodafone New Zealand in 2006. In Australia, iiNet acquired the residential business and trademarks of OzEmail in 2005, then purchased or integrated businesses including Westnet, Netspace, AAPT's consumer operations, TransACT, Internode and Adam Internet. These transactions enlarged its broadband subscriber base and gave the business access to regional networks, fibre and fixed-wireless capabilities, and established customer relationships. Some acquired brands, particularly Westnet, Netspace and Internode, retained separate market identities for periods after acquisition. The company experienced financial and governance pressure in 2006, when weaker-than-expected results led to a temporary suspension of trading in its shares and a substantial decline in the share price. It subsequently returned to trading and continued its acquisition-led strategy. iiNet was acquired by TPG in 2015 in a transaction valued at approximately A$1.56 billion. Following the acquisition, iiNet ceased to be an independently listed company, but TPG Telecom continued to use iiNet as a consumer-facing telecommunications brand. Today, iiNet's consumer offerings include National Broadband Network plans, services delivered over its ULTRA Broadband cable, fibre-to-the-building and VDSL2 networks, 4G and 5G home wireless broadband, and SIM-only mobile plans using the Vodafone network. The brand operates within TPG Telecom's Australian portfolio alongside other consumer telecommunications brands. Its historical identity is associated with Australian broadband innovation, local customer service, network investment and consolidation of the fragmented ISP market; its present role is that of an established consumer connec…
History
iiNet was established in 1993 in Perth by Michael Malone and Michael O'Reilly. Its early technical model was distinctive in Australia: it offered TCP/IP internet access and PPP connectivity and built its operations on Linux. The company moved from a suburban garage to a central Perth office in 1995, then expanded into South Australia in 1996 through a local partnership. During the late-1990s internet boom, iiNet faced intense competition, limited telephone-line capacity and an oversupplied local ISP market. In 1998 Malone acquired the company outright. iiNet listed on the ASX in September 1999 and used the proceeds to consolidate Perth competitors such as Wantree Internet and Omen Internet, together with smaller providers. The dot-com downturn caused significant pressure on the company's market valuation, but iiNet continued investing in broadband. It became the first Western Australian provider to offer ADSL in September 2000. The company pursued both acquisitions and vertical expansion. It established iiTel, later renamed Chime Communications, to improve wholesale telecommunications access. This work supported fixed-line products branded iiPhone, Phone 1 and related services, as well as iiNetPhone VoIP. In 2003 iiNet bought New Zealand ISP ihug, considerably increasing its regional presence, but sold ihug to Vodafone New Zealand in 2006. It also acquired the residential business and trademarks of OzEmail in 2005 and progressively moved customers toward the iiNet brand. From late 2004 through 2006, iiNet deployed its own DSLAM infrastructure in Australian exchanges. The investment allowed it to offer ADSL and later ADSL2/2+ speeds above many wholesale limits and gave it greater control over product design. The company nevertheless remained exposed to Telstra Wholesale pricing. Changes to wholesale port and line-rental charges in 2005 and 2006 forced iiNet to alter some speeds, allowances and plan names, producing a public commercial dispute that was later resolved. Financial difficulties became visible in 2006. Share trading was halted in April while the company prepared updated financial information after results fell below expectations. Trading resumed in May, with the share price falling sharply. During this period, outside observers discussed possible takeover interest and changes in the company's strategic direction. iiNet survived the episode and resumed expansion, beginning with the acquisition of Up'n'away in 2008 and Westnet later that year. Westnet continued operating as a distinct brand for a period. The acquisition program accelerated in the following years. iiNet bought Netspace in 2010, AAPT's consumer operations in 2010, TransACT in 2011, Internode in 2011–12 and Adam Internet in 2013. These transactions increased its broadband and active-service base and broadened its geographic and network capabilities. The company became one of Australia's largest alternative telecommunications providers, competing across broadband, fixed voice, mobile and related consumer services. TPG agreed to acquire iiNet in 2015 for approximately A$1.56 billion. After completion, iiNet was no longer an independent public company, but TPG Telecom retained the name as a consumer brand. The modern iiNet portfolio includes NBN access, cable and other fixed broadband services, 4G and 5G home wireless internet, and SIM-only mobile services supplied using Vodafone's network. The brand's history therefore spans the transition from dial-up ISP to broadband network operator and finally to a consumer brand within a national telecommunications group.
- 2015
Acquired by TPG
[1]TPG acquired iiNet for approximately A$1.56 billion and continued using the brand.
- 2013
Adam Internet acquired
[1]iiNet purchased South Australian ISP Adam Internet.
- 2011
TransACT and Internode transactions announced
[1]iiNet acquired TransACT and announced the purchase of Internode, strengthening its fixed-network and broadband footprint.
- 2010
Netspace and AAPT consumer operations acquired
[1]iiNet expanded through the purchase of Netspace and AAPT's consumer operations.
- 2008
Westnet acquired
[1]iiNet acquired Perth-based Westnet in a transaction reported at A$81 million.
- 2006
ihug sold to Vodafone New Zealand
[1]iiNet announced the sale of its New Zealand subsidiary to Vodafone New Zealand.
- 2005
OzEmail residential business acquired
[1]iiNet acquired OzEmail's residential ISP business and trademarks.
- 2003
Acquisition of ihug
[1]iiNet acquired New Zealand provider ihug, expanding its presence across the region.
- 2000
ADSL introduced in Western Australia
[1]iiNet became the first Western Australian provider to offer ADSL technology.
- 1999
ASX listing
[1]iiNet listed on the Australian Securities Exchange under the historical ticker IIN.
Products and positioning
An established Australian consumer connectivity brand focused on broadband, wireless home internet, mobile and telecommunications services, with a heritage in independent ISP operations and network investment.
Fixed broadband
iiNet NBN
National Broadband Network plans are a core current iiNet offering, providing fixed internet access over the Australian NBN through consumer speed tiers and data arrangements. The product represents the brand's transition from its historical proprietary DSLAM network toward wholesale access on the national broadband infrastructure.
Cable and fixed broadband
iiNet ULTRA Broadband
ULTRA Broadband covers iiNet fixed connectivity delivered over cable and selected fibre-to-the-building and VDSL2 networks. These services extend the brand's historical emphasis on higher-speed broadband beyond its earlier ADSL and ADSL2+ products.
4G and 5G home internet
iiNet Home Wireless Broadband
Home Wireless Broadband uses 4G or 5G cellular connectivity to provide an alternative to fixed-line broadband. It is aimed at households seeking a plug-in home internet service where mobile-network coverage and capacity are suitable.
Mobile telecommunications
iiNet mobile plans
iiNet sells SIM-only mobile plans using the Vodafone network. The mobile range extends the brand from fixed internet into everyday cellular connectivity without requiring a handset bundle.
VoIP telephony · 2005
iiNetPhone
iiNetPhone was a consumer Voice over Internet Protocol service introduced as an add-on for iiNet customers. It supported inbound and outbound calls to ordinary Australian telephone numbers and was positioned as a lower-cost alternative to conventional copper-line calling.
Fixed-line telephony · 2004
iiPhone
iiPhone began as a long-distance carrier product and developed into a fuller telephone service supporting line rental and calling packages. The product was later associated with names including Phone 1 as iiNet adjusted its telephony portfolio.
Brand decisions
2015
Sale to TPGM&ABackground
iiNet had become a major Australian alternative telecommunications provider after years of network investment and acquisitions.
Action taken
TPG acquired iiNet for approximately A$1.56 billion.
Aftermath
iiNet left the ASX as an independent listed company, while TPG Telecom continued to use iiNet as a consumer brand.
Acquisition value. Approximately A$1.56 billion (2015)
2006
Sale of ihugStrategyBackground
iiNet reviewed its New Zealand operations after acquiring ihug in 2003.
Action taken
It sold ihug to Vodafone New Zealand for approximately A$36 million.
Aftermath
iiNet refocused its expansion strategy on the Australian market.
Sale consideration. A$36 million (2006)
2005
Wholesale-cost response and broadband plan changesPrice changeBackground
Telstra Wholesale changed DSLAM-port and line-rental pricing, increasing costs for iiNet's wholesale-dependent services.
Action taken
iiNet reduced speeds on some lower-priced plans, increased allowances on affected products, separated iiBroadband1 from iiBroadband2+ naming, and temporarily increased the iiPhone line-rental price.
Aftermath
The company publicly challenged the changes. The line-rental price was later restored under the rebranded Phone 1 plan.
Sources2 sources
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