iiNet acquires OzEmail
The big news for February, which we shared with customers via a separate email, was OzEmail joining forces with the iiNet group.

While we will continue to offer innovative services like our fast new iibroadband2 plans and iiphone, this growth also ensures we can provide great value. However we will continue to "act small" despite our growth and focus on providing top customer service.

tsunami fundraiser efforts
Our tsunami fundraising efforts resulted in employees raising around $11,700. You will remember from the last edition that iiNet will match the money raised, dollar for dollar, so the total contribution from iiNet is $23,400.

The main fundraiser was the online auction for iiNet staff with goods donated by staff members and the company - this event alone raised over $8,000. Other activities included a raffle, money board and a sausage sizzle which half of the entire building turned up for!

If you would like to make a donation to help tsunami victims you can click on the links to various charities under the "Tsunami Relief" heading on the iiNet homepage.

customer service update
This month the Contact Centre has been buzzing with calls about the new iibroadband2 range and the iiphone full service.

We've had an overwhelming response to the new plans, with an increase of 105 percent in the number of sales calls in the first day alone. On the second day after the launch of the plans there was an increase of 125 percent in sales calls. So if you were on hold for longer than usual in those first few days, we thank you for your understanding and patience - it was a busy time.

To keep on top of the increased calls resulting from our new products, we have hired over 40 new Contact Centre staff in the Perth office alone, and we're increasing staff in other call centres around the country too.

The DSLAM rollout has enabled us to provide our customers with great speeds through the new iibroadband2 plans. We are now able to offer speeds 'as fast as your line can go' to customers who have a DSLAM in their exchange.

In some interesting stats the top five DSLAM exchanges for the highest number of customers on the new iibroadband2 plans are Tuart Hill, Maylands, Cannington, Bateman and Morley.

You can check the DSLAM rollout schedule for updates on the rollout in your area and new customers or existing customers can use toolbox to complete an application for iibroadband2 with full phone service at any time.

FAQ
Q: How do I upgrade my current iiNet plan to one of the new iibroadband2 plans?
A: The easiest way to upgrade is through the iiNet Toolbox. All of the new plans and full iiPhone service are available here. Of course you can always call our sales line on 13 19 17 if you have any questions.

Q: I used to use my iiphone service for long distance calls and calls to mobiles. Can you tell me what's different about the new iiphone bundle service?
A: Your current iiphone rates will remain unchanged. The major difference is now you can add local calls and line rental to your iiphone service. And bundled with your Internet service, you can receive full phone and Internet service from the one provider and on the one invoice.

Q: How do the 8MB plans work for customers who are on an iiDSLAM?
A: If you're on one of our iiDSLAM-enabled exchanges and have selected the full iiphone service, we can enable your line to receive its maximum speed. 8MB is currently the fastest speed we can offer, however as distances from the exchange and line quality varies, the full 8MB is not guaranteed for all lines - but rest assured, we'll provide the fastest speed your line can handle.

Q: What if I have services on my phone line that iiphone doesn't have as an optional service?
A: Any services that are on your phone line (like messagebank, call waiting, silent number) when you move to iiNet will remain on your line. iiNet will simply charge you the wholesale rate for these services. You can even turn on and off optional services through the Toolbox

tip of the month
To improve the performance of your computer you should clear out your cache on a regular basis. If you use Internet Explorer simply pull up a browser window and then go Internet Options then go to Delete Files, then press OK.

staff profile
Name: Dane Nattrass
Title: IT Officer

How long have you been with iiNet?
I've been with the company for almost two years. I originally started in the Contact Centre before I applied to join the IT department about 18 months ago.

What does your role involve?
I have a particularly diverse position, in that I deal with staff on a person-to-person level, the IT servers our staff use at work, through to the network our systems run on.

My position is both systems oriented and customer service oriented. For example, recently in addition to the usual calls I get from staff asking for help with a range of technical requests, I've managed to squeeze in several all nighters to upgrade the staff network. In the long term the upgrade to the staff network will allow us to expand even further and make sure staff are able to get high speed access to the systems that allow them to help our customers.

Having worked both on the phones with the support staff and in my IT role I am in the unique position of helping both staff and customers. Not surprisingly, the requests I get from staff are often similar to calls from customers, from setting up and fixing mail to troubleshooting problems with computers.

What is your favourite part of your job?
What I enjoy most about my position is the sense of belonging I feel with my co-workers. They are a group of dependable, highly-skilled individuals, all of whom have a strong sense of commitment to helping our customers.

customer profile
Name: Darcy Austin
Account type: iibroadband2 light with iiphone
Customer since: 2003
State: Woolgoolga, NSW

What is the focus of your life at the moment?
I'd have to say that about 10 hours of my day is spent on the computer and Internet, so this would have to be the focus! My biggest Internet usage is an online game called Counterstrike, Condition zero. My son put me onto the game three years ago and now I'm addicted to it. I would say I spend an average of two to three hours per day on this game - it turns me into an 18 year old again!

For the other part of the day I use the Internet for video conferencing with my friends around the world or to source wholesale prices and order parts for the computers I build.

What do you think of the new plans?
They're what I've been waiting for! I was approached by an iiNet staff member back when your iiphone preselect service first began, and I asked him if iiNet would ever provide local calls. When he confirmed iiNet planned to offer full phone in the future I said "Well I'll be the first one there!" So when I saw the announcement about the new products on the iiNet homepage I think I was one of the first customers to sign up for the new iibroadband2 plus full phone bundle!

So why were you so excited by the new local phone service?
I've been waiting for iiNet to become a full phone carrier - I can't wait to just deal with one company for both my phone and Internet. iiNet has such a good reputation and the new plan I'm on is no extra cost to what I was paying on my old plan, but now I've got the extra speed and my local phone service too! If iiNet keeps going the way the way they're going they'll outstrip Telstra soon!!

win Rebel Sport, EB Games and movies vouchers!
This month we have 10 Rebel Sport gift vouchers valued at $20 to give away. Rebel Sport have stores across Australia and sell a great range of sporting equipment, clothing and footwear for sports from Australian Rules Football (AFL) to table tennis!

We also have 10 vouchers for EB Games up for grabs. With stores all around Australia, you can use these certificates to put towards a purchase from the great range of games, DVDs and consoles on offer.

Additionally, for Perth customers we have 10 double in-season passes for Movies By Burswood which can be used throughout the 2005 season for the movie of your choice. For a complete listing of the movies available please visit the Movies By Burswood website at www.moviesbyburswood.com.au

To win any of these great prizes please email competitions@iinet.net.au with the subject line REBEL SPORT, EB GAMES or MOVIE TICKETS by 11:59pm (WST), March 13 2005. Include the answer to this month's question: what was the total amount raised by iiNet and staff for the tsunami fundraiser?

Please provide us with your iiNet username, address (including postcode) and name. Winners with the correct answer and full postal details will be drawn at random. Good luck!

gaming cheats - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2)

Two player mode in Tierra Robada
Start at your safe house in El Quebrados. Get on the street and follow it a short distance south until it turns left around the corner of a building. On the south side of this building will be a two player free roam icon. Stand near it and press Start on controller two to begin.

Two player mode in Whetstone
Go to the General Store in Dilmore. There is a two player icon there. The second player will be able to change their character.

Lock two player mode camera view
After two player mode is activated, press Select to lock the view to either player.

Freight Train missions
After you complete the game, you can roam anywhere. As an added bonus, you can steal a train. If you press R3 while on the train, a freight train mission will start. You must drive to a train stop and deliver the freight. Be careful not to go too fast or you will derail. The easiest way to avoid derailment is go as fast as you can. However, if your controller starts to vibrate, release X.

movie of the month
Finding Neverland

This is the story of the man who dreamt up the magical world of Peter Pan. The film is set in London in 1904, and follows J.M. Barrie's (played by Johnny Depp) journey to bring Peter Pan to life. From his first inspiration for the story up until the play's premiere at the Duke of York's Theatre - a night that will change not only Barrie's own life, but the lives of everyone close to him. Open at cinemas around the country now!

album of the month
Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway

This is the second album from past American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, whose debut album Thankful sold almost a quarter of a million copies in the first week of sales.

Containing the top 10 single of the same name, Breakaway is yet another selection of pop perfection. With contributions from some of the biggest music producers in music today, "breakaway" is sure to be another runaway success for Kelly.

Look out for the recent hit Since U Been Gone, which is a great tune to bop along to.

recipe of the month
5 Cup Salad

This month's recipe goes down a treat on a hot summer day!

ingredients:

• 1 cup mandarin oranges
• 1 cup pineapple
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 cup miniature marshmallows
• 1 cup sour cream

method:

1. Drain the liquid from the fruit.
2. Combine all ingredients and mix gently.
3. Pour into a nice serving bowl (you may want to use a plastic one so that it doesn't break).
4. Chill in the fridge and serve.

iiNet - providing Internet and phone services all over Australia. This email was authorised by Joanne Large, on behalf of iiNet. Postal address: Locked Bag 16, Cloisters Square, WA 6000. If you wish to unsubscribe to future iiNet newsletters, you can do so by visiting https://toolbox.iinet.net.au/