finder.com.au
Home
Broadband Plans
Mate Broadband Plans

Mate broadband: NBN and ADSL plans compared

Mate Communicate offers NBN and ADSL broadband on simple, unlimited data plans at a competitive price.

Chris Rowland
Chris Rowland
Mate Broadband

Is Mate right for me?

  • What does Mate offer? Mate offers both NBN and ADSL broadband plans as well as a range of SIM-only mobile plans that operate on parts of the Telstra 3G and 4G networks.
  • Product highlights: No lock-in contracts, a simple plan structure and competitive pricing make Mate worth considering.
  • Watch out for: If you don't have an NBN-compatible modem, buying one through Mate will set you back a relatively steep $149.

Mate NBN plans

Mate's NBN plans explained

Mate provides NBN services to the vast majority of Australian households by supporting all the core fixed access technologies involved in the NBN rollout. This includes fixed-line technologies like fibre to the premises (FTTP) and fibre to the node (FTTN) as well as fixed wireless connections.

All Mate's NBN plans operate on a no-lock-in, month-to-month basis and include unlimited data. The four main tiers of NBN speeds are present and accounted for, with the ability to choose between Basic (nbn12), Standard (nbn25), Standard Plus (nbn50) and Premium (nbn100) connections.

Mate NBN

Learn more about Mate's NBN plans in our comprehensive guide.

Mate ADSL plans

Mate's ADSL plans explained

Simplicity remains the focus of Mate with its ADSL plans. It offers just two services: a standalone ADSL plan with unlimited data and an ADSL and home phone bundle that also packs unlimited data. Pricing for these two plans differs depending on where you live, with regional Aussies paying a premium due to the increased costs associated with the ADSL network in the country's remote areas.

Mate ADSL

Check out our guide for more information on Mate's ADSL offerings.

How does Mate compare?

  • Simple plans and no lock-in contracts make the sign-up process quick and easy
  • Not as cheap as other smaller telcos

The short answer to the above question is "very simply". Mate keeps things basic with just four plans on offer plus an optional voice service on each. There’s no need to worry about how much data you’ll use each month, either, as all Mate's plans come with unlimited data.

The only thing to be mindful of is whether you will use enough data for the unlimited option to be worthwhile. Very casual users who do little more than read the news or check their emails will probably find Mate's plans too expensive. There are very cheap NBN plans out there with smaller data allowances which may suit this kind of user better.

Being that there are only two plans, the comparison for Mate is relatively brief. The value proposition largely turns on whether you fall into the category of a "City Mate" or a "Country Mate".

Why should you consider Mate?

Mate's premise as an NBN and ADSL provider is simplicity. It offers a small number of plans, all of which feature unlimited data and straightforward pricing. On this, the company achieves its stated goal.

On the value front, it’s a bit less clear. While Mate's monthly fees for NBN plans are a little higher than the average plan, the company refers to its Australian ownership and customer service staff as a key differentiator. It also benefits from no contracts, no set-up, install or plan change fees, and no requirement to buy an expensive modem if you’ve already got one. If these things matter to you, then yes, Mate does offer good value.

However, if you’re just looking for the lowest cost service available, there are competitors offering better prices without the complexity of up-front discounting.

Mate broadband deals

Sorry, we can't find any deals for this provider right now.

To compare deals from other Aussie telcos, head over to our round-up of the latest broadband deals.

How to contact Mate

Support platform
Phone
Email:
Back to top

Latest broadband news

Was this content helpful to you? No  Yes

Read more on this topic

Lower your household bills

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

2 Responses

  1. Default Gravatar
    thinkpicMarch 24, 2016

    Are mate speeds subject to off peak speed changes?

    They offer a fibre to the premises option. Am I right that this only applies if NBN has directly connected you and that there is no option to have this option installed if you are in a fibre to the node area?

    Reply
    • Avatarfinder Customer Care
      KennethMarch 31, 2016Staff

      Hi thinkpic,

      The plans currently offered by Mate Communicate do not split the monthly data allowance into peak or off-peak. If you exceed your data allowance for the month, your speed will be reduced (shaped) for both peak and off-peak times.

      The Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) plan is only available for customers who are connected to the NBN FTTP network. Mate Communicate offers plans for customers who are connected to the Fibre to the Node or Fibre to the Basement networks.

      The company responsible for building the National Broadband Network, nbn, offers a Technology Choice program which allows end users to upgrade to an FTTP connection at the end user’s own expense.

      Thanks,
      Ken

      Reply
Ask a question
Go to site