That means that they now have unmetered access to iTunes downloads, Xbox demos and updates (but not paid-for movie downloads) and ABC iView and TiVo. That’s a pretty wide range of content right there. The TiVo partnership means that apparently 20 per cent of broadband users now have unmetered access to TiVo’s movie downloads. That’s a pretty good percentage, too.

The question now is whether or not a) current iiNet customers will be swayed to TiVo, or b) whether this would sway potential TiVo customers to iiNet. Share your thoughts in comments.

The best part about this is that the ABC has actually submitted this suggestion to the federal government in the hopes that they’ll actually make unmetered ABC content law. That would mean that ISPs like Telstra and Optus would have to offer iView unmetered, something that would probably never happen otherwise.

I for one hope the government jumps on board…

[News.com.au]

At the moment, only Adam Internet, iiNet, Internode, iPrimus and Westnet offer unmetered iView viewing, but this trial could potentially expand the audience massively. At the moment it’s Sydney only, but if successful, you could easily see it rolled out across the country.

As for iView itself – well, in June they averaged 158,000 visits a week, while they were offering 33 hours of catchup programming for adults and 2-3 hours for kids.

Considering those figures, it’s amazing that the commercial networks are still languishing so far behind the ABC in terms of VOD in Australia. No wonder bittorrent is booming…

[TV Tonight]

Considering the fact that TiVo are now offering full movie downloads that weigh in somewhere between 1-2GB each, having unmetered downloads for the DVR is a must have. I’d say it’s a safe bet we’ll be seeing even more ISPs start to offer unmetered downloads on the TiVo – and other media services – in the coming months.

iPrimus customers get unmetered freedom on their TiVo

iPrimus announced today that it has signed an agreement with Hybrid Television Services (ANZ) Pty Limited, the exclusive licence holder for TiVo in Australia and New Zealand, to offer unmetering to TiVo media devices owned by iPrimus customers. This includes downloads of video content as well as services (like weather and games), software updates and electronic program guide data that are also delivered over the internet.

iPrimus General Manager, Marketing & Products, Andrew Sims said: “Our customers do not need to pay twice for a movie experience on a TiVo – now they can purchase a movie download on a TiVo media device confident that the movie size will not impact their monthly data allowance. This means our customers can use their broadband data allowance for other internet activities without their TiVo usage counting towards their plan’s allowance.

“Over the coming months we will also be retailing TiVo devices to our customers, as well as providing new customers with an option to purchase a TiVo in a bundle which includes an outstanding internet service and of course unmetering to the TiVo is part of the deal. This means that customers can spread the cost of the TiVo across their internet plan,” Sims said.

From June, current iPrimus broadband customers will enjoy unmetered access to content and services on the TiVo device.

iPrimus CEO, Ravi Bhatia said: “We are truly excited to be working with Hybrid TV in providing our customers with quality content-driven broadband services. Our high speed broadband network is ideally suited for fast delivery of content like popular movies on TiVo – at arguably the best prices in Australia today. This is just another example of our pro-activity to meet the changing demands of our customers.”

Robbee Minicola, CEO of Hybrid TV commented: “To have an internet service provider of the calibre of iPrimus join us in providing Australians with the freedom to download content and services into their TiVo without any penalty or impact on monthly download quotas is simply outstanding.

“We know that the switch from analogue to digital TV has many people looking for the right investment to upgrade their old telly. With a TiVo media device delivering all of the Freeview channels in both standard and high definition as well as the ability to download movies and access to services and games – a TiVo becomes far more compelling than your average DVR or even pay TV.”

TiVo joins the growing list of content iPrimus has added to its unmetered data offering over the last six months, which includes the ABC iView service, Lingo, the iPrimus VoIP service and the iPrimus download mirror, with more to be announced over the coming months.

[iPrimus]

If you’re going to continue to offer more and more awesome content in your unmetered Freezone, including Xbox Live, ABC’s iView and iTunes downloads, I’m REALLY going to need you to launch ADSL2+ at my local exchange so I can switch. Seriously, now that you’ve added Super 14 rugby to your Freezone, I’m so frustrated at the crappy deal I’m forced into putting up with because I need ADSL2+ that I’m probably going to have kick something just to stay sane.I mean, considering that I would get – for no extra charge – full Fox Sports coverage of the Aussie Super 14 matches, up to 4 on demand games each round and an unmetered quota for all games, I reckon I could almost give up the Fox Sports package on Foxtel – I mean, I only get it for the Super 14…

Grrrr. I’m so frustrated! My local exchange is like watching the Waratahs implode on their way to the finals year after year. In any case, I envy rugby fans already on iiNet, that’s for sure.

[iiNet Freezone - Thanks Adam!]

[Internode and iPrimus]

Add this to the fact that iTunes downloads are unmetered, as is anything viewed through ABC’s iView, Premiere League football matches and NASA TV.

I’m telling you – if iiNet get off their backside (granted, they have been fairly busy recently) and launch ADSL2+ at my local exchange, I reckon I’d switch to them in a heartbeat. This kind of approach to internet content is exactly the kind of ISP I want to give my money to – it works out better for everyone. If nothing else, let’s hope that other ISPs start following iiNet’s example.

UPDATE: So actual Xbox Live gaming isn’t included – turns out iiNet can’t actually monitor it effectively. Still, for downloading demos and classic Xbox games this still rocks for iiNet customers.

[Whirlpool]