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Activ8me broadband | Satellite and NBN plans

The A–Z of Activ8me’s NBN broadband plans for metropolitan and regional users.

How does Activ8me compare?
Activ8me satellite plans
Activ8me fixed wireless NBN plans
Activ8me fixed-line NBN plans

Getting good Internet access in the rural regions of Australia isn't easy. The logistical challenges involved in supplying high-speed broadband services to areas where even water is tough to come by requires both specialised infrastructure and expertise, two things that Activ8me aims to provide with its NBN plans.

To deliver on this promise, Activ8me provides Sky Muster satellite plans along with the usual fixed-line and fixed wireless NBN plans. With over 25,000 Sky Muster connections serviced across Australia, Activ8me is currently the country's largest supplier of NBN satellite services, a fitting title given the provider's decade of experience in satellite broadband.

Where you live will dictate which of Activ8me's broadband services you'll have access to. Regardless of whether it's Sky Muster satellite or fixed-line NBN, all Activ8me plans are available on both no-lock-in, month-to-month contracts as well as 12-month contracts.

Activ8me satellite NBN plans

As the foremost supplier of Sky Muster satellite services in Australia, Activ8me offers a range of plans suitable for users with both hearty Internet appetites as well as those who only need basic access to the web. By default, all plans include Basic NBN connections, but this can be upgraded to a Standard NBN connection by purchasing the "SONIC" speed boost for an extra $5 a month.

Data caps on all of Activ8me's Sky Muster plans are split into peak-time data and off-peak data. Peak time is defined as 7am to 1am in the local time zone, while off-peak is from 1am to 7am.

Here are the plans Activ8me offers through Sky Muster:

  • Sky Muster 90GB. Includes 15GB of peak-time data and 75GB of off-peak data for $34.95 a month.
  • Sky Muster 120GB. Includes 45GB of peak-time data and 75GB of off-peak data for $39.95 a month.
  • Sky Muster 150GB. Includes 60GB of peak-time data and 90GB of off-peak data for $49.95 a month.
  • Sky Muster 170GB. Includes 70GB of peak-time data and 100GB of off-peak data for $64.95 a month.
  • Sky Muster 190GB. Includes 90GB of peak-time data and 100GB of off-peak data for $89.95 a month.
  • Sky Muster 260GB. Includes 110GB of peak-time data and 150GB of off-peak data for $114.95 a month.
  • Sky Muster 300GB. Includes 150GB of peak-time data and 150GB of off-peak data for $124.95 a month.

If you exceed either your peak-time or off-peak data caps at any point, your Internet speed will be slowed to 128Kbps download and 128Kbps upload for the remainder of your billing period.

Activ8me charges no set-up fees for its Sky Muster plans, regardless of whether you sign up on a month-to-month contract or a 12-month contract. If you sign up for 12 months and decide to cancel your service early, however, you'll have to pay an early termination charge of $250.

Should you require a new Wi-Fi router with your Sky Muster service, Activ8me will sell you one for $99 if you're signing up on a month-to-month contract, or $44.95 if you're signing up for a 12-month contract.

Activ8me fixed wireless NBN plans

Satellite isn't the only solution for Aussies living outside the reach of fixed-line broadband. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for a fixed wireless connection instead. Fixed wireless technology operates on a point-to-point basis, with an antenna installed on your roof communicating with a wireless tower located nearby. Because fixed wireless connections are "fixed", as the name suggests, they tend to be more stable than satellite connections, with more reliable speeds and less susceptibility to adverse weather conditions.

Activ8me's fixed wireless plans are split into four tiers based on their monthly data caps:

  • Fixed Wireless 100GB. Includes 100GB of data for a month.
  • Fixed Wireless 250GB. Includes 250GB of data for $69.95 a month.
  • Fixed Wireless 500GB. Includes 500GB of data for a month.
  • Fixed Wireless Unlimited. Includes unlimited data for $79.95 a month.

At the prices stated above, each of Activ8me's fixed wireless plans features a Basic NBN connection, but this can be upgraded to a Standard NBN connection for an extra $10 a month. If you live in an area serviced by fixed-line fibre, you may also be eligible to upgrade to a Standard Plus NBN connection, though you'll need to contact Activ8me directly to determine your eligibility.

Activ8me also offers an optional Voice over IP (VoIP) phone service with its fixed wireless plans. For $5 a month, the Basic Call Pack gets you 11c/min local calls, 17c/min national calls and 25c/min mobile calls. For $10 a month you will get unlimited local and national calls along with 25c/min mobile calls, while $20 a month will get you unlimited local, national and mobile calls within Australia.

Set-up fees on Activ8me's fixed wireless plans differ depending on your contract length. On a month-to-month contract you'll be looking at a $99 set-up fee plus a $99 router charge if you need a new Wi-Fi router. Sign up for a 12-month contract and those prices will be reduced to $49.95 and $44.95 respectively. Be warned, though, that cancelling a 12-month contract before the full year is up will set you back $250 in early termination fees.

If you use up your monthly data allowance on any of Activ8me's fixed wireless plans, your Internet speed will drop to 256Kbps for the rest of the current billing period.

Activ8me fixed-line NBN plans

Despite its focus on rural and regional broadband services, Activ8me also offers traditional fixed-line NBN services over fibre to the premises (FTTP), fibre to the node (FTTN) and fibre to the building (FTTB) connections. These plans are split into two data tiers:

  • Fibre broadband 250GB. Includes 250GB of data for $69.95 a month.
  • Fibre broadband Unlimited. Includes unlimited data for $79.95 a month.

Activ8me's fixed-line plans offer a Standard Plus NBN connection by default, but you can boost this to Premium NBN speeds by purchasing an optional speed pack for $10 extra a month.

If you're looking to retain your home phone after switching to the NBN, Activ8me also offers a Voice over IP (VoIP) phone service for purchase with its NBN plans. The basic pay-as-you-go service will set you back $5 extra a month and features rates of 11c/min for local calls, 17c/min for national calls and 25c/min for mobile calls. For $10 extra a month you will get unlimited local and national calls, while $20 extra a month will couple that with unlimited mobile calls too.

Activ8me doesn’t charge excess usage fees if you use up all your monthly data. Instead, your Internet speed will simply be slowed to 256Kbps for the rest of the current billing cycle.

When first signing up for one of Activ8me's NBN plans, you'll have to pay a one-off set-up fee of $99 if you're on a month-to-month contract. There is no set-up fee for 12-month contracts. Should you also need a new Wi-Fi router you can purchase one from Activ8me for $70 on a month-to-month contract or $45 on a 12-month contract. Those discounts for signing up on a 12-month contract come with a caveat, though: cancel your plan before the full year is up and you'll have to pay an early termination fee of $250.

How does Activ8me compare?

Activ8me didn't become the biggest provider of Sky Muster satellite services in Australia by sheer luck, so it's no surprise that its satellite plans are some of the most competitive around. The rest of its broadband plans, however, aren't quite so attractive.

Since Activ8me charges the same monthly price for both month-to-month and 12-month contracts, the month-to-month option almost always represents the better deal. As such, we've focused on comparing month-to-month plans in the analyses below.

How do Activ8me's satellite plans compare?
How do Activ8me's fixed wireless plans compare?
How do Activ8me's fixed-line plans compare?

How do Activ8me's satellite plans compare?

Starting at the more affordable end of satellite Internet pricing, it's readily apparent why Activ8me has risen above the pack. Its $39.95 120GB Sky Muster plan, for example, packs more data than most of its competitors $45+ plans, making it immediately the more attractive option.

That said, Activ8me isn't miles ahead of providers like IPSTAR and SkyMesh at this price point. Beyond the monthly fee, all three charge no set-up fees, no excess usage fees and offer a speed boost upgrade to a Standard NBN connection for $5 extra a month.

The only area where Activ8me relinquishes its lead is in the division of on-peak/off-peak hours. Here, Clear's Sky Muster plan affords the slightly longer off-peak hours of 11pm to 7am, which could be a significant selling point if you're a night owl looking to make the most of the more generous off-peak data caps.

Competition heats up at the mid-tier of Sky Muster plans. Activ8me no longer has the price advantage here, with its $64.95 170GB plan beaten in pure value terms by IPSTAR's $65 175GB offering. Night owls might also want to look elsewhere, as SkyMesh's $54.95 plan packs a hefty 140GB of off-peak data at a cheaper rate than Activ8me's plan and its 100GB of off-peak data.

The already small pool of satellite providers shrinks even further at the top tier of Sky Muster plans. Despite the reduced competition, though, Activ8me surrenders its price advantage to Reachnet and its $115 300GB plan, which offers the same on-peak and off-peak data caps at a monthly rate $10 cheaper than Activ8me's.

How do Activ8me's fixed wireless plans compare?

While it doesn't have the same advantage it does in the satellite market, Activ8me stacks up quite favourably with its fixed wireless NBN plans. Looking at the budget offerings currently available, Activ8me's 100GB fixed wireless plan is one of the cheapest around, with other providers like Southern Phone and NuSkope charging $5 or $10 more per month for the same inclusions:

The story is a little different once you hit the higher tier of unlimited fixed wireless plans. Here, Activ8me's $59.95 plan can't hold up against Flip TV's cheaper $49 unlimited plan. Spintel bundles in a pay-as-you-go phone service with its $54.95 plan, too, giving it a leg up over Activ8me's offering.

How do Activ8me's fixed-line NBN plans compare?

With its focus on providing satellite and fixed wireless connections to rural Aussies, Activ8me doesn't fare too well with its fixed-line NBN plans. Even its cheaper 250GB plan is bested by unlimited plans from the likes of Exetel, Teleron and Flip, all of which provide more affordable services and higher peak-hour speeds. Given the $10 premium for its unlimited plan, Activ8me doesn't do much better there, either.

Moving onto Premium NBN plans, Activ8me is again outmatched by providers like Teleron, Spintel and Exetel. This is true for both capped and uncapped plans, with rivals offering cheaper rates, faster speeds and more inclusions than Activ8me.

Why should you consider Activ8me?

Activ8me positions itself as the Internet provider for rural Australia, and it does a good job of living up to this claim with its satellite and fixed wireless plans. Aussies living outside the reach of the NBN cable network benefit from Activ8me's budget pricing, with some of the cheapest satellite and fixed wireless plans currently available in Australia.

Satellite customers also enjoy $0 set-up fees, making the buy-in to try Activ8me's plans even easier. With seven different data tiers on its satellite plans too, there's more chance of finding the right plan to suit your specific needs. Best of all, Activ8me have been providing satellite broadband services for over a decade now, so if you encounter any issues, odds are that Activ8me's customer support team will know how to solve them.

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12 Responses

  1. Default Gravatar
    DerekAugust 7, 2018

    How can I buy some extra gigs to tide me over till next month?

    Reply
    • finder Customer Care
      JeniAugust 7, 2018Staff

      Hi Derek,

      Thank you for getting in touch with finder.

      Can you log in to Activ8me’s page? If yes, at the left navigation menu you will see Buy Data Block. It lets you buy more data to use with your service.

      I hope this helps.

      Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.

      Thank you and have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Jeni

      Reply
  2. Default Gravatar
    GraemeAugust 4, 2017

    Will fetch TV work with satellite ethernet?

    Reply
    • finder Customer Care
      RenchAugust 4, 2017Staff

      Hi Graeme,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      Yes, Fetch TV will work with Satellite ethernet connection. Fetch recommends a minimum broadband connection of 3Mbps for stable viewing across all devices.

      You can get more info about Fetch TV on this page.

      Cheers,
      Rench

      Reply
  3. Default Gravatar
    SlowOctober 12, 2016

    I have a current service provider and they have rung saying I need to change to the NBN now or I will lose my Internet connection.
    My concern is that it’s going to cost me more money and I seriously doubt that it will improve the service. I currently pay $24.00 per month and only my emails and Facebook. Is there other ways that I can keep the cost down and how long before the current service is turned off?

    Reply
    • finder Customer Care
      JasonNovember 11, 2016Staff

      Hi Slow user,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      Typically, you have about 18 months to switch before your home phone and Internet services will be disconnected. It’s important to get switched over to NBN before the cutoff date as you run the risk of losing your home phone number and Internet services if you don’t switch to NBN. Most ISPs will transfer you to an NBN plan free of charge. NBN plans can also offer Internet speeds that are better than ADSL connections. Please click this link for more information about NBN.

      Please get in touch with your Internet service provider and check with them if there will be any changes in you monthly bill if you move to NBN or you can also click this link and check for better NBN plans that can help you save money.

      Cheers,
      Jason

      Reply
  4. Default Gravatar
    MartinMay 3, 2016

    What minimum download/upload speed using your 50/20 Mbps option could I expect?

    Reply
    • finder Customer Care
      BrodieMay 6, 2016Staff

      Hi Martin,

      You’ve reached finder.com.au, not Activ8me. Unfortunately, Activ8me (and most broadband providers) do not specify a minimum speed as speed can be impacted by a number of factors including congestion and geography.

      Cheers,
      Brodie

      Reply
  5. Default Gravatar
    JohnOctober 9, 2015

    Must I cancel my satellite service now that I am connected to fixed wireless service? John Gibson

    Reply
    • finder Customer Care
      BrodieOctober 12, 2015Staff

      Hi John,

      You’ve come through to finder.com.au. We’re an online comparison service not affiliated with Activ8me. Try the Activ8me customer support centre on 1300 76 02 19 or visit the support section of their website.

      Cheers,

      Brodie

      Reply
  6. Default Gravatar
    TerryAugust 22, 2015

    As regards the Fixed Wireless Broadband.
    You mention it requires installation of a small antenna. How big is the antenna and does it need to be installed outside or inside the house?

    You also mention Download Speeds of up to 12Mbps and up to 25Mbps Is the speed dependant on which plan is chosen or is there an extra cost for the faster speed?

    Is this service available in Moores Pocket (Suburb of Ipswich) Queensland?

    Thank you

    Reply
    • finder Customer Care
      BrodieAugust 25, 2015Staff

      Hi there Terry,

      Unfortunately, NBN Wireless Broadband isn’t yet available in Moore’s Pocket. I’d recommend registering your interest over at the Activ8Me website.

      In regards to your other questions, the small antenna sits on the outside of the house and is about 450 mm tall and speed packs are purchased as add-ons on top of your plan.

      Hope that helps,

      Brodie

      Reply