View source for IiNet

{{short description|Australian internet service provider}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2025}}
{{Advert|date=August 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{lowercase title|title=iiNet}}
{{Infobox company
| name = iiNet Limited
| logo = 
| type = Subsidiary
| founder = [[Michael Malone (businessman)|Michael Malone]]<br>Michael O'Reilly
| area_served = [[Australia]]
| industry = [[Telecommunications]]
| products = [[Internet access]]<br />[[Mobile Telephony]]<br />[[Voice over IP|VoIP]]<br />[[Broadband]]
| owner = [[TPG Telecom]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1993}}
| location = [[Perth]], Western Australia
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.iinet.net.au/}}
}}

'''iiNet Limited''' is an Australian [[internet service provider]] and [[telecommunications]] company that sells [[National Broadband Network|NBN]] plans, [[4G]] and [[5G]] Home Wireless [[Internet]] and services on its ULTRA Broadband Cable, [[FTTB]] and [[VDSL#VDSL2|VDSL2]] networks. 

iiNet also sells [[mobile phone]] sim-only plans using the [[Vodafone Australia|Vodafone]] network. 

iiNet was acquired by [[TPG (ISP)|TPG]] in September 2015 for $1.56 billion<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iinet.net.au/about-us/history|title=iiNet history – a timeline of iiNet|access-date=20 April 2023}}</ref> TPG Telecom has continued to use the brand name iiNet for consumer telecommunications products.

Before its acquisition by TPG Telecom in 2015, iiNet acquired other ISPs, building a customer base in [[Western Australia]], and then expanding into the Eastern States, with major acquisitions including Internode and TransACT.

==History==
{{more citations needed section|date=August 2025}}
iiNet was founded in 1993 by Michael Malone and Michael O'Reilly, who started the business in a suburban garage in [[Perth]] as iiNet Technologies. It began as one of the first Australian [[ISP]]s to offer [[TCP/IP]] Internet access,{{cn|date=August 2022}} as opposed to the store-and-forward techniques (such as [[MHSnet]]) that were then in use at other ISPs. It was the first ISP to offer [[Point-to-Point Protocol|PPP]] access in Australia and to be the first to base operations on the then-new [[Linux]] operating system.{{cn|date=August 2025}}

In 1995, the company moved to a CBD office. Early growth during the Internet boom was hampered by the ability of [[Telstra]] (not releasing Bigpond as an ISP until 1997) to cope with the demand for needed telephone lines and by the sheer competitive pressure in the Perth market, which had a comparative oversupply of low-cost providers. In 1996, iiNet expanded into the [[Adelaide]] market under the name ''light.iinet.net.au'' (named after [[William Light|Colonel Light]]), in partnership with locals John Lindsay and Leigh Hart. The [[South Australia]]n branch moved to become the number three ISP in the state before being acquired by Auslink in 1998.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}

===Early growth===
In 1997, due to growing demand for infrastructure and an increase in staff numbers, the company relocated to the central QV.1 building. Additionally, during the same period, the Western Australian Internet Association established a peering and interconnection arrangement called WAIX<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waia.asn.au/waix/ |title=Waix &#124; Western Australian Internet Association |access-date=2008-06-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080718231407/http://waia.asn.au/waix |archive-date=18 July 2008 }} Western Australian Internet Exchange</ref> among its members, including iiNet and several other Perth-based ISPs.

With the internet market transitioning to 56K technology in late 1997,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.iinet.net.au/newsletters/november1997.html |title=iiNet Newsletter: November 1997 |author=iiNet Limited |year=1997 |access-date=2008-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122080510/http://archive.iinet.net.au/newsletters/november1997.html |archive-date=22 November 2008 }}</ref> traditional racks of modems at ISPs became redundant and expensive. CBD-hosted equipment from [[Cisco]], Ascend, and Livingston became essential to adapt to the changing marketplace. The Perth market also faced competition from budget national providers, notably [[One.Tel]].

In 1998, iiNet's founding partner, Michael Malone, acquired the company entirely and subsequently listed it on the [[Australian Securities Exchange]] in September 1999 (ticker symbol IIN). With new capital, iiNet acquired its major local competitors in the Perth area, including Wantree Internet and Omen Internet, and several smaller competitors like Networx Internet, Infinite Data, Octal, and Net Trek Online Services.

This was perceived by most observers as a rationalisation of an unsustainable services market and allowed not only iiNet, but also other providers such as [[Westnet]], [[Eftel|EFTel]] (itself an agglomeration of several ISPs formed in 2000), ArachNet and Global Dial among others to grow in the local market and to expand into fully-fledged national providers.

After the [[dot-com bubble]] burst in mid-2000, iiNet fared poorly on the markets – with shares at one stage falling to {{AUD|0.20}} from a {{AUD|1.00}} issue price – however its share price recovered as time progressed. In September 2000, iiNet became the first Western Australian provider to offer [[Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line|ADSL]] technology.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.iinet.net.au/about/mediareleases/00mediarelease13.html |title=iiNet launches ADSL service |author=iiNet Limited |year=2000 |access-date=2008-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819231021/http://archive.iinet.net.au/about/mediareleases/00mediarelease13.html |archive-date=19 August 2006 }}</ref>

===Growth through acquisition===
The company created a new registered telecommunications provider iiTel, later renamed ''Chime Communications'', that sought to improve Internet access prices by making wholesale telephone access much cheaper. This was possible through new interconnection agreements mandated by the [[Australian Government]]'s deregulation of the telecommunications industry and provided the foundation for iiNet's later move into [[telephony]] via its iPhone (later ''Phone Advantage'' and ''Phone 1'') and iiNetPhone (later ''iiNet VoIP'') products.

In the early 2000s, iiNet expanded their national coverage by acquiring the following companies: 
*RuralNet ([[Mildura]] and regional [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]])
*Tas Access ([[Tasmania]])
*Granite Internet ([[Fleurieu Peninsula]], South Australia)
*RockNet ([[Rockhampton]], [[Queensland]])
*Hartingdale ([[Sydney]])
*Country Netlink (regional Victoria)
*Origin Internet (regional Victoria)
*Froggy Internet (Sydney)
*Virtual Communities ([[Melbourne]])
*Octa4 ([[Darwin, Northern Territory|Darwin]])
*[[TransACT]] ([[Australian Capital Territory]] and [[Queanbeyan]])

In 2003, iiNet made what was then its biggest acquisition, purchasing key New Zealand provider [[ihug]]. The acquisition significantly increased iiNet's share of the Australian and New Zealand Internet market.

In 2005, iiNet acquired the residential ISP business and trademarks of rival [[OzEmail]]. That business's business side and infrastructure remained in the ownership of US-parent [[MCI Inc|MCI]]. OzEmail had been Australia's largest ISP until 2000, when it was acquired by MCI. The retail arm had been neglected, and the company moved very late into ADSL, meaning that it had difficulty positioning itself as a broadband player. iiNet initially used both the OzEmail and iiNet brands on the east coast, but by 2006 iiNet had largely abandoned the OzEmail brand, using its own corporate image across Australia.

===DSLAM deployment===
In late 2004, throughout 2005 and into 2006, iiNet moved to introduce their own [[Digital subscriber line access multiplexer|DSLAM]] infrastructure (colloquially known as ''iiSLAMs'' or ''iiDSLAMs'' in the industry) into [[telephone exchange]]s Australia-wide. This move allowed iiNet to be the first Australian DSL carrier to offer speeds of over 1.5&nbsp;Mbit/s to many customers. The maximum download speed was initially 8&nbsp;Mbit/s (ADSL1), which increased to 12&nbsp;Mbit/s and later to 24&nbsp;Mbit/s, as ADSL2/ADSL2+ standards have been ratified and tested with iiNet's equipment. There are currently over 406 enabled exchanges active around Australia, and a list of these exchanges can be found at iiNet's official website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iinet.net.au/dslams/updates/|title=iiNet Network Coverage|author=iiNet Limited|year=2000|access-date=2008-09-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908151538/http://www.iinet.net.au/dslams/updates/|archive-date=8 September 2008}}</ref>

===Launch of telephony products===
2004 saw the introduction of iiPhone in the form of a [[long-distance calling|long-distance]] carrier.

In February 2005, iiNet launched their full-service ''iiPhone'' telephony service with their new range of iiBroadband2 packages, allowing customers to pay their telephony costs entirely through iiNet, including line rental and local calls.

In August 2005, iiNet released ''iiNetPhone'', their consumer VoIP service. The product was an ''add-on'' service, available only to customers that also use their iiPhone service. As with most VoIP services, call costs were well under standard market prices for a regular copper line. The iiNetPhone service supports inbound and outbound calls to normal Australian [[PSTN]] numbers.

In 2006, iiNet were trialling its [[MSAN]] services in three Perth telephone exchanges; but release and expanded trial of these has since been put on hold until further notice. MSANs are iiNet's own full telephone service, meaning they can be completely off Telstra's phone service and onto their own. This would result in a lower line rental price for its customers and free additional add on options to the phone service.

===Regulatory conflict with Telstra===
In late 2005, Telstra Wholesale changed its pricing arrangements, each of which forced iiNet to change its product line and pricing. The first of these changes was to the DSLAM port rate, which resulted in an increase in the cost of a 1.5&nbsp;Mbit port. iiNet reduced the speeds for their two cheapest plans to 512&nbsp;kbit/s, while doubling the data allowance on these plans in an attempt to placate users. They also rebranded the plans available to their Telstra Wholesale customers (512&nbsp;kbit/s and 1.5&nbsp;Mbit/s plans) to ''iiBroadband1'', reserving the ''iiBroadband2+'' moniker to uncapped "Up to 24&nbsp;Mbit/s" speed plans, only available in areas connected to an exchange with an iiNet DSLAM. In April 2006, another iiBroadband1 (using Telstra Wholesale) plan's speed was reduced to 512&nbsp;kbit/s (though existing plan users were allowed to keep their speed).

The second was an increase in line rental for iiPhone. The rate was increased from {{AUD|29.95}} to {{AUD|33.36}}, and was also blamed on price increases from Telstra Wholesale. Michael Malone said in regard to both changes, "We're disappointed in the changes to our broadband arrangements and line rental prices from Telstra Wholesale and we're challenging this."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whirlpool.net.au/news/?id=1577|title=iiNet raises speed, but also line rental|author=Phil Sweeney, Whirlpool|year=2005|access-date=2008-09-09}}</ref>

This dispute was resolved, and line rental returned to {{AUD|29.95}} a month under the re-branded ''Phone 1'' plan on the iiNet website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whirlpool.net.au/news/?id=1738|title=Telstra lets cat out of the bag|author=Phil Sweeney, Whirlpool|year=2007|access-date=2008-09-09}}</ref>

===Suspension and resumption of share trading===
iiNet's share value slid from {{AUD|3.40}} in September 2005 to {{AUD|1.69}} in April 2006. On 18 April 2006, iiNet requested a [[trading halt]] pending the release of an announcement. Two days later, it suspended its shares from quotation. Initially, the company advised it intended to resume trading on the ASX the following week, but on 21 April, a local newspaper, ''[[Business News (Australia)|WA Business News]]'', speculated that "One line of thought is that uncertainty on behalf of iiNet's bankers, will result in the company embarking on a capital raising to address concerns over banking covenants, and provide its bankers with a measure of confidence." Other speculation in the same article suggested that iiNet may be about to exit New Zealand or the CEO was about to sell his shareholding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/Speculation-mounts-on-iiNet|title=Speculation mounts on iiNet|website=[[Business News (Australia)|WA Business News]]|date=2006-04-21|access-date=2024-01-07}}</ref>

On 1 May 2006, iiNet advised the ASX that its shares would remain suspended, as its March quarter results had been "well below expectations". The company announced on 11 May 2006 that updated financial figures for the previous year would not be released for "one to two weeks".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iinet.net.au/about/investor/20060511_suspension_update.pdf|title=Suspension Update|author=iiNet Limited|year=2006|access-date=2008-09-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070908233415/https://www.iinet.net.au/about/investor/20060511_suspension_update.pdf|archive-date=8 September 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/iiNets-suspension-extends-into-4th-week|title=iiNet suspension continues into 4th week|author=James Moses|website=[[Business News (Australia)|WA Business News]]|date=2006-05-12|access-date=2024-01-07}}</ref> On 13 May, ''[[The West Australian]]'' business section reported on the matter, and claimed that founder Michael Malone had been "sidelined", and that the company was "open for takeover" according to analysts, who rated Singtel [[Optus]] as the most likely suitor. On 18 May, ''WA Business News'' agreed with the West's claim that takeover offers were being evaluated, however contradicted the claim that Malone had been sidelined.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessnews.com.au/article/iiNet-extends-trade-halt|title=iiNet extends trade halt|author=Colin Jacoby|website=[[Business News (Australia)|WA Business News]]|date=2006-05-16|access-date=2024-01-07}}</ref> Meanwhile, ZDNet reported, "It is likely iiNet's management will move more conservatively now that their financial dirty laundry has been so publicly aired. They'll need to remain focused on consolidating their assets after what is expected to be a large drop in iiNet's share price when the stock resumes trading."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/bean-counters-to-rein-in-iinet/|title=Bean-counters to rein in iiNet?|author=Renai LeMay, ZDNet Australia|website=[[ZDNet]] |year=2006|access-date=2008-09-09}}</ref>

On 26 May, the stock was reinstated to official quotation and fell on its first trading day to {{AUD|0.85}}, after the 27 May edition of ''[[The West Australian]]'' reported that iiNet was in the red for the first time in five years and had vowed not to repeat costly mistakes. PowerTel, a Sydney-based telco, would emerge with a diluted stake of 13% at 85c a share<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iinet.net.au/about/investor/260506_powertel_announce.pdf|title=iiNet and PowerTel form strategic alliance|author=iiNet Limited|year=2006|access-date=2008-09-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725093946/http://www.iinet.net.au/about/investor/260506_powertel_announce.pdf|archive-date=25 July 2008}}</ref> and Michael Malone's share would be diluted to 14.4%.

On 31 May, [[Vocus Group|Amcom Telecommunications]] announced it had acquired a 19.96% stake in iiNet, becoming the company's largest shareholder.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://clients.weblink.com.au/clients/amcom2/article.asp?asx=AMM&view=6324557|title=Amcom acquires strategic 20% stake in iiNet|author=Amcom Limited|year=2006|access-date=2008-09-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216143301/http://clients.weblink.com.au/clients/amcom2/article.asp?asx=AMM&view=6324557|archive-date=16 December 2008}}</ref>

On 21 June, the Malone family increased their holding to 19.97%.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asx.com.au/asx/statistics/showAnnouncementPDF.do?idsID=00623747 |title=Appendix 3Y: Change of Director's Interest Notice |author=ASX |year=2006 |access-date=2008-09-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216141835/http://www.asx.com.au/asx/statistics/showAnnouncementPDF.do?idsID=00623747 |archive-date=16 December 2008 }}</ref>

===Sale of ihug – New Zealand subsidiary===
On 20 July 2006 iiNet announced that they were wanting to sell their New Zealand subsidiary – ihug. Potential buyers included [[Orcon Internet]], [[Vodafone]] and [[TelstraClear]]. The sale to Vodafone NZ was announced on 9 October 2006, at a price of {{AUD|36 million}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iinet.net.au/about/investor/20060720_ihug_announcement.pdf|title=iiNet to sell New Zealand Business|author=iiNet Limited|year=2006|access-date=2008-09-09|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080725095356/http://www.iinet.net.au/about/investor/20060720_ihug_announcement.pdf|archive-date=25 July 2008}}</ref> – roughly six times ihug's [[Earnings before interest and taxes|EBIT]] at the time.

===2008 acquisitions===
January 2008 saw iiNet recommence its acquisition strategy with the purchase of the customer base of local Perth ISP Up'n'away. This was followed in May with the purchase of rival Perth-based ISP [[Westnet]], in a friendly acquisition worth $81 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://westnet.com.au/internet/about/media/press/080508.aspx |title=iiNet acquires Westnet |year=2008 |access-date=2008-05-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509093251/http://www.westnet.com.au/internet/about/media/press/080508.aspx |archive-date=9 May 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In a departure from previous acquisitions, iiNet also announced that Westnet would continue to operate as a separate entity. However, as of 2013 some marketing copy is identical, suggesting at the very least a degree of back-office collaboration now exists.

As part of the Westnet acquisition, iiNet's online gaming presence was closed in August 2008,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://games.iinet.net.au/|title=iiGames shutting down, all hail 3FL|year=2008|access-date=2008-08-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080807155530/http://games.iinet.net.au/|archive-date=7 August 2008}}</ref> with operations being moved to the former Westnet gaming site [https://web.archive.org/web/20080819175544/http://www.3fl.net/ 3FL].

===2010 acquisitions===

iiNet continued to grow through acquisitions by purchasing rival ISP [[Netspace]] in March 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iinet.net.au/press/releases/20100329-iinet-acquisition-netspace.pdf|title=iiNet announces the acquisition of Netspace|author=iiNet Limited|year=2010|access-date=2010-08-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100526182620/http://www.iinet.net.au/press/releases/20100329-iinet-acquisition-netspace.pdf|archive-date=26 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> The deal, valued at $40 million, increased iiNet's total number of broadband subscribers to 520,000, and also followed the pattern of the [[Westnet]] takeover with Netspace remaining operational as a separate entity under iiNet.

In late July 2010, iiNet agreed to purchase [[AAPT Limited|AAPT's]] consumer operations for $60 million from [[Spark New Zealand|Telecom New Zealand]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20100730/pdf/31rm6wqb3jpxc9.pdf|title=Acquisition of the AAPT Consumer Division, Exit of Telecom New Zealand from the register|website=iiNet|year=2010|access-date=2010-08-02}}</ref> As part of the acquisition, Telecom New Zealand entered into a block-trade agreement to sell their 18.2% share holding in iiNet to ''"institutional and sophisticated investors"'', a move viewed by many<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/how-iinet-beat-the-pack-to-acquire-aapt-division/story-e6frg8zx-1225899237886|title=How iiNet beat the pack to acquire AAPT division|author=Mitchell Bingemann|access-date=2010-08-02|work=[[The Australian]]|date=2010-07-31}}</ref> as a defensive action against a takeover bid from industry rival [http://www.tpg.com.au TPG]. The purchase of AAPT increases iiNet's total broadband subscribers to more than 652,000 and total active services to more than 1,326,000.

===2011 acquisitions===

On 16 November 2011 it was announced that iiNet was in the final stages of negotiations in the acquisition of Canberra-based telco [[TransACT]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/telecommunications/iinet-to-buy-transact/story-fn4iyzsr-1226196697150 |title=iiNet to buy TransACT |author=Mitchell Bingemann |work=The Australian |date=16 November 2011 |access-date=26 December 2011}}</ref> The acquisition was completed on 30 November 2011 at a cost of $60 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iinet.net.au/press/releases/20111130-iinet-acquires-transact.html |title=iiNet acquires TransACT |series=iiNet Press – Media Releases |work=iinet.net.au |date=30 November 2011 |access-date=26 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120525121358/http://www.iinet.net.au/press/releases/20111130-iinet-acquires-transact.html |archive-date=25 May 2012 }}</ref>

On 22 December 2011, iiNet announced it would acquire rival ISP [[Internode (ISP)|Internode]] for $105 million with the transaction due to be completed late February 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.internode.on.net/news/2011/12/259.php|title=Internode joins forces with iiNet|author=Internode|year=2011|access-date=2011-12-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20111222/pdf/423gl75v07k006.pdf|title=iiNet to Acquire Internode, Australia's largest privately owned broadband services company|author=iiNet Limited|date=22 December 2011|access-date=16 December 2017}}</ref>

===2013 acquisitions===
On 4 August 2013 iiNet announced it would be purchasing the South Australian ISP [[Adam Internet]] for $60 million, after an identical bid by [[Telstra]] was rejected by the [[Australian Competition & Consumer Commission]] (ACCC) on grounds that the telco giant would use its acquisition of Adam to undercut its rivals' offers through the use of favourable wholesale supply deals. The sale process was completed at the end of August, with Adam becoming a subsidiary of iiNet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mergers-acquisitions/iinet-to-buy-adam-internet-for-60m-after-accc-vetoes-telstra-deal/story-fn91vdzj-1226691292094|title=iiNet to buy Adam Internet for $60m, after ACCC vetoes Telstra deal|first=Mitchell|last=Bingemann|work=[[The Australian]]|date=5 August 2013}}</ref>

===2025 data breach===
On 19 August 2025 iiNet's systems were accessed by an unknown third-party.<ref>{{cite news |work=itnews |publisher=[[nextmedia]] |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819053410/https://www.itnews.com.au/news/tpg-telecom-reveals-iinet-order-management-system-breached-619684 |access-date=19 August 2025 |archive-date=19 August 2025 |date=19 August 2025 |title=TPG Telecom reveals iiNet order management system breached |first=Ry |last=Crozier |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819053410/https://www.itnews.com.au/news/tpg-telecom-reveals-iinet-order-management-system-breached-619684 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/australias-tpg-telecom-flags-cyber-incident-its-iinet-system-2025-08-19/ |access-date=19 August 2025 |date=19 August 2025 |work=[[Reuters]] |archive-date=19 August 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250819010827/https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/australias-tpg-telecom-flags-cyber-incident-its-iinet-system-2025-08-19/ |title=Australia's TPG Telecom flags cyber incident in its iiNet system |url-access=subscription |first=Sneha |last=Kumar |editor-first1=Shreya |editor-last1=Biswas |editor-first2=Alan |editor-last2=Barona |location=Bengaluru}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=[[Australian Associated Press|AAP]] |via=[[SBS News]] |title=280,000 customers' emails, phone numbers exposed in cyber attack on iiNet, TPG says |access-date=19 August 2025 |archive-date=19 August 2025 |date=19 August 2025 |url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/internet-service-provider-iinet-hacked-with-280-000-customers-emails-phone-numbers-exposed/j2i1tvv81 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250819055826/https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/internet-service-provider-iinet-hacked-with-280-000-customers-emails-phone-numbers-exposed/j2i1tvv81 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==AFACT lawsuit==
{{main|AFACT v iiNet}}
On 20 November 2008, the Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft ([[AFACT]]) filed a lawsuit against iiNet in the [[Federal Court of Australia]] claiming that iiNet infringed copyright by failing to prevent its subscribers from downloading [[warez|illegally copied material]] using the [[BitTorrent (protocol)|BitTorrent]] [[peer-to-peer]] protocol.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afact.org.au/pressreleases/AFACT_Media_Release_201108_iiNet.pdf |title=Film industry launches legal action against iiNet to prevent online peer-to-peer copyright infringement |author=Australian Federation Against Copyright Theft |year=2008 |access-date=2008-11-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090913104325/http://www.afact.org.au/pressreleases/AFACT_Media_Release_201108_iiNet.pdf |archive-date=13 September 2009 }}</ref> The lawsuit was co-filed by 34 film and affiliated companies including [[Village Roadshow]], [[Universal Pictures]], [[Warner Bros.]] and [[20th Century Fox]] as well the [[Seven Network]], an Australian television broadcaster, and alleges breach of copyright on a number of popular movies and television shows.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://apcprojects.com/iinetdocs/iiNetStatementOfClaim.pdf|title=Statement of Claim: Roadshow Films Pty Ltd & ORS vs iiNet Ltd|author=Gilbert and Tobin Lawyers|year=2008|access-date=2008-11-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203000024/http://apcprojects.com/iinetdocs/iiNetStatementOfClaim.pdf|archive-date=3 December 2008}}</ref> It was later revealed in a WikiLeaks document AFACT was backed by MPAA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://delimiter.com.au/2011/08/30/wikileaks-cable-outs-secret-iitrial-background/|title=Wikileaks cable outs secret iiTrial background|date=30 August 2011|first=Renai|last=LeMay|publisher=Delimiter|website=delimiter.com.au}}</ref>

In response, iiNet issued a statement<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iinet.net.au/about/media/releases/201108_iinet_to_defend_court_action.pdf|title=iiNet to Vigorously Defend Federal Court Action|author=iiNet Limited|year=2008|access-date=2008-11-24|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202234450/http://www.iinet.net.au/about/media/releases/201108_iinet_to_defend_court_action.pdf|archive-date=2 December 2008}}</ref> indicating that iiNet had been passing on the reports of infringement received from AFACT to law enforcement authorities and that iiNet could not disconnect a customer's phone line based on an allegation unproven in the courts. Michael Malone, managing director of iiNet, went on to state that "AFACT is arguing that they don't want to talk to the police, and we should just cut the customers off".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24700723-15306,00.html|title=Film giants pursue file sharers|author=Fran Foo, Australian IT|access-date=2008-11-24|work=The Australian|date=2008-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216142549/http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24700723-15306,00.html|archive-date=16 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, the Statement of Claim filed at the Federal Court does not indicate AFACT are asking for users to be disconnected but that iiNet subscribers are "prevented" from committing copyright infringement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cspcentral.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/nsd1802-of-08-statement-of-claim.pdf|title=Statement of Claim|access-date=2009-02-10}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

The case is regarded as a [[Test case (law)|test case]] for [[copyright infringement]] in Australia,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lawfont.com/2008/11/21/the-case-against-iinet/|title=The case against iiNet|author=LawFront.com|year=2008|access-date=2008-11-24}}</ref> and AFACT was represented by [[Gilbert + Tobin]], the same [[law firm]] that successfully sued the makers of [[Kazaa]] in 2005.<ref>{{cite AustLII|HCATrans|323|2011|litigants=[[Roadshow Films Pty Ltd v iiNet Ltd]] |date=30 November 2011 |courtname=auto}}.</ref>

In 2010, Justice Cowdroy in the Federal Court found in favour of iiNet, noting that while iiNet users did infringe, this was not the responsibility of iiNet to deal with.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/iinet-wins-copyright-court-case/|title=iiNet wins copyright court case|author=LeMay, Renai|publisher=ZDNet Australia|date=4 February 2010|access-date=4 February 2010}}</ref>

On 20 April 2012, the High Court of Australia handed down its decision in ''[[Roadshow Films Pty Ltd v iiNet Ltd]]'' which confirmed the intervening Federal Court Full Bench decision affirming the first instance decision of Cowdroy, though not supporting all his reasons.<ref>{{cite AustLII|HCA|16|2012|litigants=[[Roadshow Films Pty Ltd v iiNet Ltd]] |courtname=auto |date=20 April 2012}}.</ref> In his reasoning, Gummow J. noted, in particular, that the current legislation did not provide a mechanism to deal with peer-to-peer infringements, and it needed to be addressed by the legislature.

==Products and services==
iiNet Limited provides Broadband and IP telephone communication services to consumers and business customers. Its flagship products are broadband2+ (ADSL2+) services and, more recently, reselling NBN as well as services for businesses.

iiNet was part of the [[Terria (consortium)|Terria consortium]] that unsuccessfully bid to build the [[National Broadband Network]] in 2008.

iiNet is now a Retail Service Provider (RSP)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nbnco.com.au/connect-home-or-business/check-your-address/choose-a-provider.html|title=Choose a provider|access-date=17 July 2015}}</ref> to serve customers with the NBN (National Broadband Network). Australian consumers can now sign up for services such as fibre to the home ([[Ftth|FTTH]]), [[FTTC]], HFC and [[fixed wireless]]. From 2011, iiNet also sold services on the NBN Interim Satellite Service; however, demand for these connections exceeded the available capacity, severely congesting the service. As a result, iiNet withdrew the product from sale in November 2013,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://delimiter.com.au/2013/11/18/iinet-stops-selling-nbn-satellite-plans/|title=iiNet stops selling NBN satellite plans|author=Delimiter|work=Delimiter|date=18 November 2013 |access-date=17 July 2015}}</ref> and [[NBN Co|NBN co]] issued a cease sale for all RSPs in December 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.communications.gov.au/broadband/broadband_initiatives/nbn_cos_interim_satellite_service |title=NBN Co's Interim Satellite Service &#124; Department of Communications |access-date=2015-04-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317015133/http://www.communications.gov.au/broadband/broadband_initiatives/nbn_cos_interim_satellite_service |archive-date=17 March 2015 }}</ref>

iiNet also offers a variety of mobile services to businesses and the public, which includes post-paid mobile plans and mobile data plans that run on the [[TPG Telecom|Vodafone]] network;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://help.iinet.net.au/migrating-vodafone-network-faq |title=Migrating to the Vodafone network FAQ |access-date=21 November 2022 |archive-date=21 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121070658/https://help.iinet.net.au/migrating-vodafone-network-faq |url-status=dead }}</ref>
iiNet has offered 1000&nbsp;MB to members at no additional cost for website hosting from the beginning. As of 1 August 2023 the parent company (TPG) killed all the hosted sites which now re-direct to a page saying hosting is EOL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://help.iinet.net.au/iinet-members-webspace-end-life|title=iiNet Members Webspace End of Life|publisher=iiNet|website=help.iinet.net.au|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206234333/https://help.iinet.net.au/iinet-members-webspace-end-life|archive-date=6 December 2023|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of 7 August, they advise that email will also cease: ''iiNet has made the decision to stop providing email services in 2023. This change will help us focus on creating better experiences for our core products: internet and mobile''.

==Chime Communications==
{{Distinguish|Chime Communications Limited|Chime (company)}}
'''Chime Communications''' is an Australian telecommunications company founded by iiNet in 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.search.asic.gov.au/cgi-bin/gns030c?acn=073_119_285&juris=9&hdtext=ACN&srchsrc=1|title=ASIC Free Company Name Search|access-date=17 July 2015|archive-date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721105440/http://www.search.asic.gov.au/cgi-bin/gns030c?acn=073_119_285&juris=9&hdtext=ACN&srchsrc=1|url-status=dead}}</ref>

It was the focus of a dispute regarding access to the [[Telstra]] [[Public switched telephone network|PSTN]] network which was settled by the ACCC in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.accc.gov.au/content/item.phtml?itemId=794593&nodeId=7792096af235f915a88f052e5519a014&fn=Chime%2FTelstra%20LSS%20final%20determination%20-%20Statement%20of%20reasons%20-%20August%202007.pdf |title=ACCC determination |access-date=5 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408131340/http://www.accc.gov.au/content/item.phtml?itemId=794593&nodeId=7792096af235f915a88f052e5519a014&fn=Chime%2FTelstra%20LSS%20final%20determination%20-%20Statement%20of%20reasons%20-%20August%202007.pdf |archive-date=8 April 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==See also==
{{see also|Internet in Australia|TPG Telecom=}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|http://www.iinet.net.au}}
*[http://www.westnet.com.au Westnet] – an iiNet subsidiary
*[http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-threads.cfm?f=72 iiNet's discussion forum on Whirlpool]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20040807073337/http://bc.whirlpool.net.au/bc-isp.cfm?id=15 iiNet's listing on Broadband Choice]

{{Internet service providers of Australia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iinet}}
[[Category:Australian companies established in 1993]]
[[Category:IiNet| ]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Australian Securities Exchange]]
[[Category:Companies based in Perth, Western Australia]]
[[Category:Telecommunications companies established in 1993]]
[[Category:2015 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Retail service providers of Australia (Internet)]]