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Belong Broadband | NBN and ADSL plans compared

Belong Broadband delivers affordable Internet using Telstra's extensive ADSL and NBN network.

How does Belong compare?
Belong NBN plans
Belong ADSL plans
Why should you consider Belong?

Founded back in 2013, Belong provides streamlined NBN and ADSL plans to Aussies across the country. These plans support both 100GB and unlimited data caps, and are available on no-lock-in month-to-month contracts as well as 12-month contracts.

Belong NBN plans

Belong offers NBN plans delivered over fixed-line technologies only. These include fibre to the premises (FTTP), fibre to the node (FTTN), fibre to the building (FTTB) and hybrid-fibre coaxial (HFC). Three of the four main NBN speed tiers are available, with support for nbn 12, nbn 50 and nbn 100.

On a 12-month contract, here's how Belong's nbn 12 plans break down:

  • NBN Basic 100GB. Includes 100GB of data for $50 a month.
  • NBN Basic Unlimited. Includes unlimited data for $60 a month.

For faster Internet speeds, you can upgrade to a 50Mbps connection for $10 extra a month or a 100Mbps connection for $30 extra a month.

Bear in mind, though, that the connection speed for each NBN tier is only a theoretical maximum. During the peak evening hours of 7pm to 11pm, Belong advises that the following speeds are more typical:

  • Basic connection: 1–12Mbps typical evening speeds
  • Standard Plus connection: 30Mbps typical evening speeds
  • Premium connection: 60Mbps typical evening speeds

Unlike the majority of broadband providers these days, Belong charges a different monthly rate for its month-to-month and 12-month plans. For the freedom of a month-to-month contract, you'll have to pay an extra $5 a month on the 100GB plan or an extra $10 a month on the unlimited plan.

Signing up for a 12-month contract also gets you a free Wi-Fi modem router – a mandatory $60 upfront cost on month-to-month plans. Other than that, though, Belong does not charge any set-up fees for its NBN plans.

On a 12-month contract, you'll also want to be aware that cancelling your service before the full year is up will incur an early termination fee. This fee comes to $240 minus $20 for every month of the contract you've already served.

If you go with Belong's 100GB data cap, you won't have to worry about excess usage charges should you use up all your data before the month is over. Instead, Belong will simply slow your Internet speed down to 256Kbps for the rest of the current billing cycle.

Belong ADSL plans

Belong's ADSL plans are available through both traditional ADSL connections and faster ADSL2+ connections – the type of cabling installed at your home will determine which of the two you'll get. Along with an Internet service, these plans include home phone line rental and a limited phone service capable of receiving calls and making calls to local, 000, 1223, 13, 1300 and 1800 numbers only.

On a 12-month contract, here's what you'll be paying for Belong's ADSL plans:

  • ADSL2 Plus 100GB. Includes 100GB of data for $55 a month.
  • ADSL2 Plus Unlimited. Includes unlimited data for $60 a month.

As with its NBN plans, Belong's ADSL plans cost more if you want to sign up on a month-to-month contract instead of a 12-month contract. For the 100GB plan, it's $5 extra a month on a month-to-month contract, while it's $10 extra a month on the unlimited plan.

The only upfront cost associated with Belong's ADSL plans is the cost of the compulsory Wi-Fi modem. On a month-to-month contract, this will set you back $60, whereas it's bundled in for free on 12-month contracts.

You will want to keep in mind that cancelling a 12-month contract before the yearly term is up comes with a hefty early termination fee, though. This fee is calculated as $240 minus $20 for every month you've already spent on contract.

If you sign up for Belong's 100GB plan and use up all your monthly data, you won't be hit with any excess usage charges. Your Internet speed will drop down to 256Kbps for the rest of the current billing cycle, though, so you won't be able to watch any more Netflix until the cap resets.

How does Belong compare?

Since Belong charges a premium for signing up to its broadband plans on a month-to-month basis, its 12-month plans represent significantly better value for money. As such, the comparisons below look at how Belong's 12-month plans stack up against 12-month plans from other Australian Internet providers.

How do Belong's NBN plans compare?
How do Belong's ADSL plans compare?

How do Belong's NBN plans compare?

When comparing 12-month plans, there are three key factors to consider: monthly cost, minimum total cost and set-up fees. Belong has a strong advantage over the competition in both set-up fees and minimum cost, making it an attractive proposition over both the short and long term.

For casual Internet users with minimal data needs, Belong's 100GB plan is quite compelling. Although its monthly fee is higher than similar plans from Exetel and IPSTAR, the lack of any set-up fees and the inclusion of a free modem give it the edge both in upfront costs and the total amount you'll pay over the full 12 months.

That said, if you already have an NBN-compatible modem ready to go, Teleron's 200GB plan becomes slightly more appealing, packing double the monthly data along with a pay-as-you-go Voice over IP phone service for a lower monthly cost and a lower overall cost over the 12 months.

Belong remains just as compelling for those with more demanding Internet needs. Its unlimited data plan is one of the cheapest available over a 12-month term, and the $0 set-up costs mean it's also one of the most affordable to sign up to as well.

Once again, though, if you already own an NBN-ready modem, you'll want to consider some of the other plans on the market. Flip TV's Unlimited plan, for instance, works out significantly cheaper than Belong's if you don't need to purchase a new modem.

The plans compared above all include a basic 12Mbps NBN connection, but Belong's standing remains the same at higher speed tiers as well. This is because most providers charge similar premiums to upgrade from 12Mbps to faster connections, as you can see in the table below:

BelongTeleronExetelFlip TVMyNetFoneSouthern PhoneHello Broadband
25MbpsN/A$10 extraN/A$10 extra$10 extra$10 extra$10 extra
50Mbps$10 extra$20 extra$5 extra$30 extra$20 extra$20 extra$25 extra
100Mbps$30 extra$30 extra$35 extraN/A$30 extra$30 extra$49.05 extra

How do Belong's ADSL plans compare?

There are fewer and fewer competitors in the ADSL space these days, what with the NBN set to completely replace the old copper network within the next few years. Of those that remain, Belong emerges as one of the strongest – provided you're not too fussed about making calls from your landline phone.

If you typically use the Internet for general browsing and little else, Belong's 100GB ADSL plan should be high up on your list. Over 12 months, it works out cheaper than not only other 12-month plans from Exetel and iPrimus but, thanks to its $0 set-up fees and free modem, it also beats out month-to-month plans from TPG and Start Broadband.

More importantly, Belong's ADSL plans come with home phone line rental included. Many other ADSL plans do not, meaning you'll typically need to tack on an extra $29.95 for separate line rental before you can even use your Internet service. For that reason, the plans compared below all come with line rental included.

Belong fares even better with its Unlimited ADSL plan. No set-up fees and a free modem give it the edge on price against both the 12-month and month-to-month plans of its competitors – provided you intend on sticking with Belong for the full year, of course.

AusBBS and Exetel's plans do represent better value if you already own an ADSL modem, though, especially if you make a lot of calls from your landline phone. Belong's limited phone service only allows for outbound local calls, while Exetel and AusBBS include a full pay-as-you-go phone service. If that's not enough, both MyRepublic and Mate Communicate bundle in unlimited local and national calls with their plans which could save you a significant chunk of cash in the long run.

Why should you consider Belong?

Belong's value lies in the long term. On a 12-month contract, its NBN and ADSL plans stand as some of the cheapest on the market. No set-up fees and the inclusion of a free Wi-Fi modem help Belong's 12-month plans remain competitive even against plans with cheaper monthly fees or more inclusions.

There's a pleasant simplicity to Belong's broadband plans, too. With just two data caps, two contract periods and no set-up fees to worry about, wrapping your head around Belong's offerings is relatively easy.

If you're in the market for an ADSL service, Belong's ADSL plans are especially compelling thanks to their inclusion of home phone line rental. A lot of competing providers charge extra for line rental, and since it's required for a standard ADSL connection to function, Belong's plans top them both on price and simplicity.

The only area where Belong falters is in its actual phone services. Unlike an increasing number of NBN providers, Belong does not include a VoIP phone service with its plans. It also limits its outgoing ADSL phone service so you can only make local calls – national, mobile and international calls are not possible on the basic service. If you prefer a traditional home phone to your mobile, Belong might not be the Internet provider for you.

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9 Responses

  1. Default Gravatar
    LesleyApril 11, 2017

    If I take up one of your NBN offers and wish to keep my landline, will I need to pay extra for the privilege ?

    Reply
    • Staff
      ArnoldApril 12, 2017Staff

      Hi Lesley,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      There are no fees for retaining an existing home phone.
      Please click here for all the information you need to know in switching to NBN

      Hope this information helped.

      Cheers,
      Arnold

      Reply
  2. Default Gravatar
    GordonMarch 23, 2017

    I currently have and pay for a landline. Can this be transferred to Belong if I take up one of their nbn options please/

    Reply
    • Staff
      LouMarch 23, 2017Staff

      Hi Gordon,

      Thanks for your question.

      If you have decided to go with a new provider, generally, you may still keep your old phone number and port it over to the new provider to continue receiving calls made to your existing phone number.

      You may directly get in touch with your new provider to check the requirements for number porting.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

      Reply
  3. Default Gravatar
    RobJanuary 6, 2017

    I have been trying to contact Belong by phone for the last 3 days (3rd to 6th Jan 2017) but no one answers.

    Reply
    • Staff
      LouJanuary 6, 2017Staff

      Hi Rob,

      Thanks for reaching out.

      If you are unable to contact Belong by phone, you may want to try getting in touch with their customer support team. Just click any of the “go to site’ button so you’ll be redirected to Belong website. On their home page, there is a button to “chat.”

      Cheers,
      Anndy

      Reply
  4. Default Gravatar
    neilOctober 20, 2016

    2 Harrison Crescent Yankalilla is a near new home but the nbn has not been connected to the house. I can see wires coiled by the electrical green box by the footpath.

    Could you give an estimation of time frame and basic costs to have the basic nbn installed in the house please.

    Reply
    • Staff
      BrodieOctober 31, 2016Staff

      Hi Neil,

      I’ve entered your address into our nbn tracker, but there doesn’t seem to be any information on the NBN rollout in your area. I would recommend contacting nbnco directly with your query.

      Thanks,
      Brodie

      Reply
  5. Default Gravatar
    InfoJuly 19, 2016

    Hi

    Please can you let me know the technical specifications of the ONU. I.E. how many Ethernet ports, wifi. Will I still require a router? Etc
    Thanks

    Reply
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