Our History

iiNet’s new NBN™ plans deliver better value with less hassle for home renters thanks to their new, short-term 6-month broadband contracts.

The change means customers who are renting on short-term leases can reap the benefits of an iiNet broadband contract. Best of all, the new range features $0 broadband activation across all iiNet NBN™ plans – regardless of contract selection.

iiNet customers are now free to upgrade or downgrade their broadband plans without penalty. Putting flexibility first, iiNet has abolished their few remaining plan downgrade fees so customers can easily change their plan to suit their needs.

iiNet is proud to release Fibre1000 plans at select on-net buildings across Australia, delivering symmetrical 1000Mbps speeds to registered businesses All plans offer unlimited data with a 99.95% SLA and 24/7 dedicated business support for ultimate peace of mind. With a range of great-value setup...

iiNet celebrates 25 years of connecting Australians to the internet. As one of Australia’s leading broadband providers iiNet has come a long way since humble beginnings providing Dialup out of a Perth garage in 1993! The internet has changed a lot over the years, but our focus on customer service...

iiNet NBN™ comes out on top in an independent ISP Satisfaction Survey. iiNet’s recognition in providing quality service on the NBN™ continues with the results of another independent survey. CHOICE is the leading independent consumer advocacy group in Australia and for the first time, their ISP Satisfaction Survey is a nationally representative snapshot of how major internet providers are performing. iiNet NBN™ came out on top receiving high scores for reliable connection, connection speed, value for money, technical support, customer support, bill clarity, and ease of setup.

iiNet’s parent company, TPG Telecom, successfully bid for spectrum on the 700MHZ band in Australia. Following this acquisition, TPG aims to build a mobile network covering 80% of the Australian population over the next 3 years. 700MHz spectrum is considered the premium spectrum currently in use for mobile networks due to its excellent propagation, meaning fewer towers need to be deployed to cover larger distances, which makes in-building coverage more efficiently provided. “This acquisition of 700MHz spectrum in Australia is a tremendous development for the long-term future of TPG. We are uniquely positioned to leverage our success in the Australian fixed-line broadband market to drive the next phase of growth for TPG’s shareholders and bring new competition to the Australian mobile market.” – David Teoh, CEO.

iiNet’s parent company, TPG Telecom, was the successful bidder at the New Entrant Spectrum Auction in Singapore. TPG acquired all of the spectrum available at the auction (being 2 lots of 2x5MHz of 900MHz spectrum and 8 lots of 5MHz of 2.3GHz spectrum) for a total purchase price of S$105m, aiming...

Customers may pre-order their preferred iiNet NBN™ plan when their address will be NBN™-ready within 3 months. At iiNet, we understand that many Australians are keen to get on the NBN™ but want to avoid the hassle of checking and re-checking the rollout progress. That’s why we made it possible for our customers to pre-order their preferred iiNet NBN™ plan so they could carry on in confidence that we’d monitor their order and get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

Utilising our hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) network available exclusively in Geelong, Mildura, and Ballarat. While many legacy broadband networks will be replaced by the NBN™, iiNet’s Cable network in select areas of Victoria is already a high performance, future-ready broadband service that won’t be disocnnected. iiNet Cable customers do not need to switch the NBN™ and they were able to take advantage of our special offer for 50% off their monthly plan price for the first 12 month on a 24 month agreement.

iiNet was successfully acquired by TPG Telecom in September 2015 in a $1.56 billion deal. The merger created Australia's second largest internet service provider.

iiNet offers iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, along with iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, to all broadband customers through its iiNet, Westnet, Internode and Adam Internet brands. iPhone will also be made available to new customers without a broadband service from 2 December 2014.

iiNet wins a handful of awards from the Customer Service Council and the Customer Service Institute of Australia, including: - Large Enterprise and Retail & Hospitality awards - Large Business (iiNet) - Division of a Large Business (iiNet Customer Service) - Service Excellence in a Contact Centre (iiNet Virtual Contact Centre) - Customer Service Project of the Year (On-net Line Authentication)

The Fetch TV mobile app gets a makeover allowing customers to stream their favourite TV shows and movies straight to their smartphone and tablet.

London Taxis hit Perth, upgraded with free iiNet Wi-Fi.

iiNet enters the S&P/ ASX 200 iiNet Limited’s shares officially enter the S&P/ASX 200 on December 21 2012 reflecting the significant increase in market value of iiNet’s shares in the year.

iiNet has made the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 list for the seventh year, with a growth of 75.4%. iiNet also picked up a Leadership Award which honours technology companies with revenues in excess of $50 million this year.

iiNet acquires national broadband company, Internode based out of Adelaide. The acquisition sees iiNet gain approximately 260000 active internet & phone services as well as approximately 190000 broadband subscribers.

iiNet acquires Canberra based brand TransACT bringing on board relationships with over 50 federal and state government agencies, 140 000 subscribers and 5000 small to medium enterprises.

iiNet moves into the mobile market with the release of contract free mobile phone plans.

The post-paid, residential mobile plans offer generous call allowances, included Internet data and unmetered access to social networking sites including Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn. Customers also receive automatic call usage notifications to help avoid unexpected charges.

iiNet launches BoB Lite™ – the first product to be developed by the company’s research and development division, iiNet Labs.

An alternative to the BoB™ phone and internet solution, BoB Lite™ combines the technology required for setting up a home or small business network with a sleek, wall mountable or standalone design.

The wireless modem also offers customers a more affordable alternative, which supports VoIP telephony and IPTV.

The Freezone gets even bigger in 2010, with 46 on-demand matches from the Investec Super 14s Rugby Series; more Barclays Premier League action; unmetered TiVo content; the iiNet branded iTunes store; and Freezone Kids delivering quota-free entertainment for juniors.

As part of Money magazine’s Best of the Best 2010, iiNet is judged Gold Winner for three Cheapest Broadband Plans - Light User, Medium User and Heavy User.

iiNet’s monthly Net Promoter Score tips 50%. This customer satisfaction rating is considered ‘world class’ and attests to a company-wide commitment of delivering awesome customer service.

iiNet throws open the doors on its stylish new Subiaco address to celebrate 16 years of operation and the official opening of its new head office.

The Customer Service Institute of Australia (CSIA) recognises iiNet at the Australian Service Excellence Awards in Sydney. The company takes home four Australian Service Excellence Awards including National Customer Service CEO of the Year.

The landmark AFACT trial begins at 10:15am on the 6th of October in the Federal Court of Australia and runs for almost five weeks. During this time iiNet Managing Director Michael Malone, spends three days in the witness box. A verdict is not expected for several months.

iiNet picks up the Web Marketing Association's 2009 WebAward for Best Internet Service Provider Website. These awards see iiNet judged against Internet Service Providers from all over the world.

iiNet launches its first lightening-fast Fibre-to-the-Home (FTTH) broadband services with partner OptiComm. The residents of Point Cook’s Alamanda Estate in Victoria are the first to be offered this new product.

Around the iiNet offices, waiting for BoB™ to launch is like waiting for a baby to be born. He enters the world at approximately 500 grams.

At the ACCOMs Communications Alliance and CommsDay Awards in Sydney, iiNet is chosen from a strong field of telco competitors to take home the gong for Commitment to Customer Service - Consumer.

After much tinkering by in-house software developers, the new iiNet mobile site is launched and features a mobile friendly version of Toolbox.After much tinkering by in-house software developers, the new iiNet mobile site is launched and features a mobile friendly version of Toolbox.

Gamers jump for joy as iiNet is now able to host a stack of the world’s most popular online games such as Quake Live and Battlefield 2 ranked servers through its Freezone.

Despite economic downturn brought on by the Global Financial Crisis (GFC), iiNet continues to see an increase in subscriber numbers and reports that revenue is up 67% by the end of the financial year.

iiNet announces it now has over 50,000 residential Naked DSL customers. This is huge news considering the product is just over a year old.

iiNet’s ‘Manifesto’ campaign is launched in the Victorian capital and Finn becomes the star attraction at Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Station.

After a substantial tender process, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announces that the government will invest $43 billion in a rollout of fibre to the home to improve broadband for Australians.

The Australian Telecommunications User Group (ATUG) crowns iiNet as Carrier of the Year. The heavyweight title recognises iiNet's cost effective approach and efficient service to the Australian broadband community.

iiNet’s lawyers lodge a solid defence against claims made by Hollywood studios in the Federal Court. The next day, a trial date of October 6th is set.

As naming rights sponsor of Sydney Festival’s Films Afloat @ Darling Harbour, iiNet also runs an online short film competition open to budding animators from all over the country called iiNet Get Animated!

Leading up to Christmas, iiNet unveils a new website. Complete with cosmetic work and a cleaner layout, the new site promises to be more intelligent and user friendly.

iiNet launches SIP Trunking nationally. SIP represents the next evolution in iiNet's business voice products while being a great cost saver for small to medium businesses.

iiNet seals a deal with telecommunications group 3. Further down the track, this new partnership will pave the way for teamwork on a broader range of product and service offerings.

For the second year running, iiNet takes out top honours and is named WA's Most Improved Brand. The 2008 WA Business News annual brand survey also ranks iiNet as number 2 in the Top 5 Emerging Brands, while making a debut in WA's Most Recognised Brands list.

Taking its relationship with customers to the next level, iiNet introduces a Customer Charter. The charter spells out what customers can (and should) expect from iiNet and builds on its commitment to delivering awesome customers service.

In the middle of July, iiNet connects its 300th exchange in North Balwyn, Victoria. This brings iiNet's total number of sites in Melbourne up to 64, giving it almost 40% of the market in the Garden State. Later in August, over 30,000 iiNet customers have gone Naked.

In September iiNet's 200,000th active port is connected, the ISP also builds its first outdoor cabinet on the streets of Glen Iris (Melbourne) to bypass excessive costs. The new cabinet has 576 DSLAM ports (with room for another 288) and is connected by dark fibre to iiNet's main Point of Presence (PoP), complete with backup battery, air conditioners and security alarm.

During November, iiNet connect their 200,000th customer to its national ADSL2+ broadband network.

Throughout the year, iiNet continues to grow its Freezone. The ISP adds more cool content like ABC iView in July; Barclays Premier League in August; WASO, Wildcats and Quickflix in September; and finally unmetered Xbox Live content in November.

iiNet kicks off the next installment of its Manifesto campaign with Finn introducing Naked DSL (and his gran). A few weeks later we win Campaign of the Year at Oasis, the WA advertising industry's biggest awards night.

With the rumor mill kicking well into overdrive, iiNet announces an $81 million deal to acquire industry neighbours, Westnet. With Westnet on board, iiNet cements its position as the third largest ISP in the country and its status as a serious telecommunications competitor.

iiNet enters into a 15 year agreement, becoming a foundation customer with Pipe International. Pipe's plans to construct new cable infrastructure from Australia to Guam, means iiNet customers can look forward to bypassing the internet access 'bottle-neck', further down the line.

iiNet kicks off the year by acquiring local ISP Up'N'Away. The deal signs off on January 10, bringing over a customer base of approximately 3,000 customers, along with 3 other brands - Power DSL, iClick and Netway Internet.

Having invested over $50 million in ADSL2+ infrastructure, iiNet continues to build on the strength of owning its own network. In December, iiNet increases its on-net customer base by 11.5 percent to 152,000.

Australian PC Magazine names iiNet's Naked DSL as 2007's Product of the Year - an incredible achievement considering the fierce competition against mobile phone plans, PCs, cameras, software... the lot!

iiNet leads the pack in November as the first national provider of Naked DSL. Set to change the way we connect, Naked delivers broadband without a landline phone, meaning we can wave goodbye to phone line rental bills.

iiNet wins its LSS (line sharing service) dispute with Telstra. The ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) finalises its decision in July, resulting in the issue of one very large ($17,590,386.94 inc. GST) cheque made in iiNet's name. The lump sum covers refunds to iiNet for the over charge of LSS backdated from June 2004. Moving forward, the decision means iiNet will save millions in LSS charges.

iiNet partners with Apple and becomes the first Australian ISP to offer unmetered downloads for iTunes. The relationship gives customers VIP access to music, audio books, iPod games, TV shows and other exclusive content.

After months of research (and late nights), iiNet's lovable Irishman 'Finn' bursts on to the Perth and Sydney scene in Manifesto - iiNet's first major advertising campaign. Splashed across TV, newspapers, the radio, buses, giant billboards, Pedapods and the Sydney Monorail, Manifesto introduces the public to who iiNet is and what it stands for.

Nearly 268 exchanges are supplying ADSL2+ broadband by the year's end, servicing over 124,000 "on-net" customers. Additional infrastructure upgrades, including dark fibre, are brought online to further decrease broadband costs for iiNet customers.

iiNet sells off New Zealand arm ihug to Vodafone in late 2006. The deal signs at an attractive price and enables iiNet to focus on Australian operations. Part of the proceeds from the $36 million sale goes towards further expansion of iiNet's ADSL2+ network.

iiNet launch a wide ranging update to its residential and business broadband plans. The update sees an improvement to features, particularly for those on the iiNet ADSL2+ network, including an increased entry level speed of 3000kbps - twice that offered by the industry incumbent.

In July iiNet wins the award for Contact Centre of the Year for its Virtual Contact Centre. The ATA Awards are recognised within the contact centre industry as being the pre-eminent awards, recognising achievement and excellence of the highest level. The company also wins Telecommunications Project of the Year for its VoIP product, the Service Providers Association (SPAN) Award for Excellence in Competition and Growth for its ADSL2 product range, and took out Gold in Money magazine's Best of the Best 2006 Awards.

In June iiNet surpasses a milestone of 100,000 customers on its ADSL2+ network, by far the largest ADSL2+ in Australia. The expansion of the broadband network is matched by rapid growth in VOIP subscribers. By March more than 30,000 customers are connected to the iiNet VOIP network - making iiNet the fastest growing VOIP provider in Australia.

iiNet forms a strategic alliance with Telecommunications Carrier PowerTel to offer wholesale ADSL2+ to other ISPs. The alliance further strengthens iiNet's position in the market and aids in the company's continuing network expansion.

iiNet faces its critics and finishes the implementation of world-class contact centre technology, establishing a single virtual contact centre (VCC) spread across three centres in Perth, Sydney and Auckland. The VCC system allows more sophisticated reporting techniques and control over the entire customer service experience. By April, the investment has produced major improvements. In July, iiNet wins the ATA Call Centre of the Year, evidence of the rapid turnaround.

A difficult start for the company in 2006. From January 1st, new pricing is implemented for certain wholesale products by Telstra. This is coupled with a heavy call load following the integration of OzEmail in November, affecting call centre queue times. The iiNet share price falls significantly over a few short months. After years of rapid growth by acquisition, iiNet takes a time out to focus exclusively on improving service levels and product profitability.

Also in December, Atomic Magazine readers vote iiNet as ISP of the Year again. While other publications nominate products for awards, chosen by editors, the Atomic readers (PC and internet enthusiasts) are the real the decision makers here - it's their choices and opinions that really count.

iiNet flips the switch to provide ADSL2+ speeds of up to 24000 kbps. iiNet is the first ISP to offer the super fast broadband speeds on a national scale in Australia. iiNet and OzEmail bundled customers, who are connected to an exchange with an iiNet DSLAM installed, area able to upgrade to the ADSL2+ speed free of charge. The actual speed a customer receives depends on their distance from the exchange, quality of their line and type of hardware in use.

iiNet makes its debut in Deloitte's Technology Fast 50. The list recognises the most dynamic and fastest growing technology companies in Australia and includes industries such as communications, software and the internet. On the global stage, iiNet also makes an appearance in the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific 2005 Program. The honour acknowledges emerging tech companies to keep an eye on across the region.

iiNet becomes the first Australian company to provide a large-scale, premium-grade Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. VoIP enables customers to save money by making and receiving calls via the Internet instead of over the traditional copper telephone network. Bundled with iibroadband2 and iiphone, the new VoIP service (called iinetphone) provides customers with an additional phone number for premium-grade Internet-based calls, at substantially lower rates and with no monthly rental fee.

On June 10, iiNet launches ADSL2 with speeds of up to 12000kbps. Commonly known as Triple Play, the new speed ADSL2 allows for effective transmission of voice, video and data over the Internet. Customers on an iiNet DSLAM receive the super fast speed at no extra cost. Actual maximum speed obtained is dependent on factors such as distance from the exchange, the line and hardware quality.

iiNet unveils its new business plans. Modeled on the popular iibroadband2 range, the new plans incorporate customer feedback into the offering. The stand-out addition, iibusiness pack can be added to a business plan and provides all the necessary features a growing business needs (including priority support).

iiNet completes its acquisition of Internet service business OzEmail on February 28. The move makes iiNet the third largest ISP in Australia, allowing it to reclaim its position as second largest provider of broadband services. With its increased customer base in Australia's Eastern States, iiNet now has more than 620,000 customers nationwide and is positioned to accelerate its DSLAM deployment in the region.

iiNet sells its satellite business (operated under the ihug name) to Bordernet, an Australian-based satellite specialist. iiNet and ihug then focus on their core competencies in delivering innovative dialup, broadband and phone service, leaving satellite customers in expert hands with Bordernet.

iibroadband2, the next generation of broadband, launches on February 1. iibroadband2 starts where other providers' plans finish - at 1500 kbps. Customers on iiNet's DSLAM infrastructure can now receive super fast speeds of up to 8000 kbps, making iiNet the first ISP in Australia to offer up to 8000 kbps to customers.

iiNet unveils iiphone, its new full home phone service on February 1. The service enables customers to bundle their Internet and phone services for very competitive prices - all on one invoice. iiphone includes line rental, local calls, calls to mobiles, national and international calls. By offering a full phone service with leading Internet products, iiNet joins the nation's largest telecommunications companies as a serious competitor.

iiNet rebrands. "ii" is launched to keep pace with an increasingly competitive marketplace, and to allow for a broader product direction.

iNet rolls out a National Dialup Number for all customers, regardless of location in Australia. In NZ, ihug launches Connect (its first wireless broadband service) and the bliink broadband product which both garner significant media interest.

iiNet begins deployment of its own infrastructure called DSLAMs. By 2005 iiNet expects over half of its customers will be connected to its own network - the iiNetwork.

In line with aggressive pricing of entry-level products in the marketplace, iiNet launches a $24.95 entry-level broadband account wiink, when bundled with iiPhone service. The award-winning dialup Explorer account is slashed to $19.95 with iiPhone bundle.

iiNet adds 35,000 customers with the February acquisition of Sydney-based FlowADSL and Froggy dialup. iiNet also acquires Wave in New Zealand. In October, iiNet acquires the Internet Services component of Virtual Communities, headquartered in Melbourne, pushing the total customer number to over 400,000.

iiNet expands by over 200,000 subscribers by acquiring ISPs Country Netlink, Origin Internet, RuralNet, TasAccess, WebOne, Octa4 and ihug. iiNet opts to retains the Sydney and Auckland iHug offices and adds 130,000 customers throughout Eastern Australia and New Zealand.

iiNet scoops up a bag of titles in Money Magazine's Best of the Best awards - Best Dial-Up Service, Best Dial-Up Speed, Best Dial-Up Reliability and Best Broadband Product (bliink 512). Atomic Magazine readers name iiNet as ISP of the Year while the AC Nielson Poll ranks iiNet as Top ISP for Overall Customer Service and Top ISP in Customer Satisfaction.

iiNet creates a Network Operations Centre (NOC) to monitor the state of the network 24/7. The NOC allows focused attention on the health of the network, which means the company can provide early information to customers about network faults.

iiNet share prices reach an all-time high of $3.40.

Telstra and Chime Communications announce settlement of their long running dispute over PSTN Terminating Access for data calls.

iiNet achieves ISO9001 and becomes a fully accredited, quality endorsed company. iiNet is committed to providing excellent Internet products and access and customer service in Australia.

iiNet offers flat rate Broadband Internet Access with the new bliink product range, throughout WA, and releases it soon after in NSW and Victoria. iiNet also offers its range of Broadband Internet services to W.A. country customers at the same rates charged in the metropolitan area.

iiNet Limited launches its wholly-owned telecommunications carrier, Chime Communications, and wholly-owned application hosting business, Jiva Online. Chime's focus is to provide wholesale telephony and data services to corporate clients and ISPs, while Jiva provides web designers and ISPs with solutions that enable the automated deployment of applications for their clients.

iiNet applies for its first patent for the caching of peer-to-peer transfers, in order to reduce the cost of delivering shared files (particularly audio files) between users.

The Company consolidates its four premises around the Perth metro area into a single location at the Durack Centre, 263 Adelaide Terrace, Perth.

iiNet brings its family together and combines its four premises around the Perth metro area into a single location - The Durack Centre, 263 Adelaide Terrace, Perth.

iiNet launched various broadband services: Cable Internet Access, Cityspan Wireless Internet Access and ADSL Internet Access. The company announces its first-half profit for 1999-2000 at $0.91million and decides to pay the GST for all its current dialup, ISDN and cable Internet products, without on-charging it to users.

The Australian Consumers Association again ranks iiNet number one in the country for customer service.

This year the size of the WWW is estimated by NEC-RI and Inktomi to surpass 1 billion indexable pages.

iiNet Limited becomes a public company and lists on the Australian Stock Exchange. The Prospectus closes early due to huge demand for the shares. As part of the listing process, iiNet sets its sights on 50,000 customers by the middle of 2000, a seemingly impossible target with less than 20,000 in July 1999.

iiNet merges with Wantree, the second largest ISP in WA. Directly following the listing, iiNet rapidly acquires Omen Internet, Networx, Nettrek and Infinite Data in Perth, as well as regional service providers MNS and Comtech.

The company starts 24/7 customer support, as well as opening new services in Gingin, Margaret River and Toodyay. It also introduces two convenient invoice payment methods: BPay, and "Pay it at Post" where bills can be paid at any Post Office.

iiNet launches its first motion picture advertisement across Perth, the now infamous "boy scout and granny" ad, which later wins an Art Design award for Best Cinematography. Worldwide, the technologies of the year are: E-Trade, Online Banking and mp3.

iiNet becomes the largest of the Tier 2 ISPs in Australia, second only to the Tier 1 operators, OzEmail and Telstra Big Pond. iiNet is now one of 12 ISPs with client bases between 10,000 and 20,000. An 8 mbps satellite link direct to the US is deployed, offering a massive improvement in service to many of iiNet's clients.

Customer support extends from 6:00 am to midnight, seven days a week. A new phone system and phone number is introduced to cater for the huge demand for phone support services.

Following the success of the Online Information Systems acquisition in December 1996, iiNet acquires 14 micro ISPs in 1998. Many of these companies were "virtual ISPs", who were actually reselling iiNet's services under their own brand name.

Internet users judge a world championship ice-skating competition, marking the first time a television sport show's outcome is determined by its viewers.

Within 10 months, iiNet SA becomes the third largest dialup ISP in South Australia and the operation is sold at a profit.

By now, iiNet in WA has introduced its first digital modems. Not only are these smaller, with 60 digital modems fitting into the space occupied by 16 of the superseded analogue modems, but they are also faster; digital modems run at a rate of 56kbps as opposed to the 33.6kbps of analogue modems.

This provides a significant competitive advantage to the company, as it is one of the first in Western Australia to adopt such technology.

A sophisticated support phone call queuing system is implemented allowing the support team to keep up with the increasing number of clients.

The first Perth radio live on the Internet is broadcast by iiNet after Triple M Perth start their RealAudio service.

iiNet expands into regional WA, with the first regional service opened in Bunbury. iiNet's homepage is rated Best in WA by The West Australian newspaper.

The company outgrows its premises and in December moves into QV1 at 250 St Georges Tce, Perth. In the same month, Charlie Stephens is hired as the company's first sales person.

iiNet SA is now run in partnership with two local contacts, and flat rate accounts are launched in the SA market, which quickly prove to be popular.

Users in almost 150 countries around the world are now connected to the Internet. The number of computer hosts approaches 10 million. iiNet acquired one of its largest competitors, Online Information Systems, as well as Access Communications.

Justin Lowe is iiNet's first paid employee. His office is a bedroom at Michael Malone's house that he shares with Michael, Deanne Godfrey, a cat and a pool table. Michael O'Reilly works in a storeroom that doubles as iiNet's server room.

Mid year, Michael Malone leaves to start iiNet South Australia (SA) in Adelaide, while iiNet WA moves to premises at 105 St Georges Terrace in the Perth CBD. This move is primarily driven by a lack of phone lines in the suburbs to service the rapidly growing customer base.

iiNet introduces a $400 pa unlimited download, premium dialup account (which is now known as the Explorer account). This is the year that the "long-established," online dialup systems - Compuserve, America Online and Prodigy - begin to provide Internet access in Australia. On the local front, iiNet joins with other interested parties to form the WA Internet Association.

Netscape is the first Internet browser commonly available.

The number of Internet users in Australia starts to explode, as does the number of ISPs. Many of these early ISPs are no longer in business, having been acquired, merged with other companies, or forced to closed their doors due to the fast-paced, competitive marketplace.

iiNet is one of only five or six ISPs in WA at this time, and the company launched its first "always on" product, the Network Affiliate.

After completing their degrees, University friends, Michael Malone and Michael O'Reilly, established iiNet in the garage of Michael Malone's family home.

iiNet becomes the first organisation in WA to offer dialup Internet access to the public. The initial modems are a combination of 2,400 and 14,400 bps and the price is $25/month flat rate.

Email, file transfers and online chatting are text-based, making the connection speeds quite acceptable. The web is yet to come.