The price gap between the cheapest and priciest broadband providers can top $600 a year, but with so many broadband plans and speed tiers out there, it can be hard to know which one's right for you, especially if all the jargon sounds confusing.
Hi, I'm Mariam, Finder’s tech and utilities expert, and I'm here to help you figure out how to compare internet plans and pick the one that works best for your home and won't break the bank.
Let's start with the basics. In Australia, there are a few main ways to get internet at home. Most people use the NBN, which is the National Broadband Network. That includes fixed line NBN, which most of us have, plus satellite and fixed wireless NBN, which are mainly used in regional and rural areas.
If you can't get NBN, you might have access to a private fibre network like those offered by TPG or GigaComm. Another option is home wireless or mobile broadband, which run on 4G or 5G mobile networks. What's actually available to you will depend on where you live. So, it's worth checking which options are available at your address before comparing. You can use the address tracker on Finder to see what plans you can get. If it's not NBN, we'll show you alternatives.
Once you know the type of connection you can get, the next step is to look at speed. For fixed line NBN, speeds are grouped into tiers like NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100 and higher. These help you work out what suits your household.
For example, NBN 25 can be fine for light users or smaller households, while NBN 100 is better for busier homes with three or four people online at once. Your address also determines the type of fixed line NBN connection you have, which will in turn affect what speeds you can get. Some connection types can't go beyond NBN 100, while fibre to the premises, for example, can reach the fastest speeds available all the way up to NBN 2000.
If you're not happy with your NBN connection or you just can't get access to it, home wireless broadband plans have become a really popular alternative, especially on the 5G network as it can hit speeds similar to some NBN plans. The main catch is that not every provider offers it yet and coverage still depends on where you live.
If you want something more portable or your internet needs are pretty light, you could go for a mobile broadband plan. It works similar to your phone plan minus the calls and texts.
Once you've decided on the type of plan, the next thing to look at is data and price. Most internet plans now come with unlimited data, which gives you peace of mind, but with mobile broadband or NBN satellite, data caps are more common. So, make sure your allowance actually fits how you use the internet.
And finally, price. Always, always look out for a deal. Most broadband providers have sign-up offers, think six or even 12-month discounts. Plus, most plans don't have lock-in contracts anymore, so it's easy to switch when a better deal comes along.
And remember to factor in modem costs, too. If you can't bring your own modem or don't already have a compatible one, you might need to get it from your provider. Some will even give you one for free if you stay connected for a certain period or return it after cancelling your plan.
And that's a wrap. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how to compare internet plans. Check out the link in the description to shop around for a deal or leave a comment if you have any questions. Bye.
If I change to another provider can i use the same modem that I have? will it work with all others? It’s a telstra smart modem.
Hi Jenny. Yes, in most cases, a Telstra Smart Modem can be used with other internet providers. However, some configurations may be required. Before you sign up with a provider just ask them about modem compatibility and they’ll be able to talk you through everything. Hope this helps!
All I am after is an inexpensive nbn so I can watch 2 or 3 pay tv shows.
I hardly ever use internet and I would use the phone about 4 times a day.
I am on the pension and renting. Is there a cheap plan for me.
Regards Len
Hi Len, you can check out NBN 12 or NBN 25 plans from flip, Spintel or Dodo. They’re some of the cheaper providers even after the discounts run out and those speeds should be good enough for your internet use:
https://www.finder.com.au/broadband-plans/spintel-broadband
https://www.finder.com.au/broadband-plans/dodo-broadband-plans
https://www.finder.com.au/broadband-plans/flip-tv
Hope this helps!
Hope this helps!
Is there someone who can offer a better deal than Telstra for our club we dont have cable only a dongle we have 75 a month but would like more but telstra costs are far to high for us we would like maybe at least 100
Hey there,
I know what this is like! I was living in Bourke for a few years, and the only mobile internet provider I could use was Telstra. At that time any other network would drop off as soon as I drove more than 5 minutes from the edge of town!
I’ve checked the Optus and Vodafone coverage maps around Ballarat, and Wendouree should be pretty well serviced by both networks. That means you should be able to get a service from Vodfone, Optus, or any of their resellers, which include a lot of smaller, cheaper networks.
I have to assume that you’re on a mobile broadband plan from Telstra, which has a 75GB plan for $58 a month. It’s the only one I can find on their site that looks right. If this is the case, you could benefit from switching to a wireless broadband plan instead. It’s a slightly different technology, which tends to have better value, but only if you’re getting internet for a single address. If that sounds like you, check out the plans on this page.
If you need to be able to move the internet around to different locations, then you can have a look at other mobile broadband plans here. There are still lots of plans out there on the Optus and Vodafone networks that should offer better value for you.
In either case, just apply for a new plan, and the provider will tell you if they can service your area or not. You will also have a cooling off period to see if the service works for you, within which you can return any hardware and cancel the account.
Best of luck!
Flip 50 plan NBN with my own modem will my Internet phone still work with this plan? And can you take the same number?
Hey Glenn,
I don’t quite have enough information to give you a conclusive answer. However, if you’re currently on an NBN plan with another provider, your current hardware should be compatible with Flip. The only exception is if your current telco has a lock on your modem, though that’s pretty rare these days. The best way to be 100% sure about that would be to call your current provider and ask if that’s the case.
As for keeping your number, it shouldn’t be a problem. When you sign up with Flip NBN there should be a section of the sign up experience that asks about your current phone number, and whether you’d like to ‘port’ it across to your new service. That being said, there can be some service interruptions. Here’s the relevant section of the Flip terms & conditions:
“As with POTS, customers may choose to port (transfer) their phone number from their existing provider to Flip. We may not be able to port your number in all circumstances, including where you fail to provide correct account details, or because of contractual obligations with your existing provider. If you are porting your number to Flip, inbound calling to your number will not commence until porting is complete, which will take a further 5 to 10 business days.”
Note that the term ‘POTS’ stands for ‘Plain Old Telephone Service’, the old copper wire approach.
Hope that helps!
These month to month contracts with a honey moon price. How do they work?
If they are no lockin contract then say they are $70 for 6 month then $80 for the rest. Does that mean one can signup for $70 then just change provider at the end of 6 months? Or is there a catch? Like a fee to exit the plan.
Hi Damo, you’re correct in assuming that you can leave after 6 months. There are no lock-in contracts. The main caveat with a couple of providers might be that you need to give a 30-day notice but this is rare. Before signing up, just check the provider’s terms and conditions or I can help you with this if choose a plan and want help in understanding the T&Cs. Hope this helps!