MATE NBN review: Bundle your mobile + Internet and save | Finder
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MATE NBN review

You can save $10 per month on your Internet bill by bundling it up with a MATE mobile plan.

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MATE is an Australian company with a range of NBN plans to cover nearly any speed you're looking for. It prides itself on its Australia-based customer service.

Top features:

  • Local Australian support team
  • Discounts on mobile phone bundling

Which MATE Internet plan are you after?

Compare MATE's NBN plans below

We've split MATE's NBN plans into internet-only and NBN + home phone bundles below.

MATE's NBN plans explained

All of MATE's NBN plans run month to month, with no lock in contract.

  • good mates NBN 12/1. Unlimited data for $59 monthly. Typical evening speed of 10.00Mbps.
  • great mates NBN 25/5. Unlimited data for $59 monthly. Typical evening speed of 19.00Mbps.
  • best mates NBN 50/20. Unlimited data for $69 monthly. Typical evening speed of 42.00Mbps.
  • soul mates Home Fast NBN 100/20. Unlimited data for $79 monthly. Typical evening speed of 83.00Mbps, maximum upload speed of 20Mbps.
  • soul mates Home Fast+ NBN 100/40. Unlimited data for $89 monthly. Typical evening speed of 83.00Mbps, maximum upload speed of 40Mbps.
  • elite mates Home Superfast NBN 250. Unlimited data for $109 per month ($89 for the first 6 months).Typical evening speed of 208.00Mbps.

You can either bring your own modem, or get MATE's recommended modem for $165 at sign up. When you bundle your NBN plan with a MATE mobile plan, you'll get a $10 discount per month.

MATE NBN review

MATE is a 100% Australian owned telecommunications company with Australia-based customer service. It was founded back in 2015, and also sells mobile phone plans. It offers plans on nearly every NBN speed tier, only missing out on the fastest NBN 1000 speed, which is honestly overkill for home usage anyway.

As a quick overview, here are the pros and cons of MATE's NBN plans:

Pros

  • Australia-based customer support
  • BYO modem options available
  • Mobile bundling discounts make Internet prices more attractive

Cons

  • Not the fastest plans around

MATE's prices are quite low, with an NBN 100 plan that's about $10 cheaper per month than the average NBN 100 plan on the Finder database. Its typical evening speeds are pretty average, with most of them on par or just a little under the average speed for NBN plans in our database.

MATE's value does get better if you consider pairing your NBN plan with one of its mobile plans.

You might also notice that MATE's NBN 12 and NBN 25 plans both cost the same amount per month. Where most providers usually increase their monthly price as the speed goes up, MATE has kept these two entry plans the same price.

We'd usually recommend NBN 12 plans to those who don't use the Internet regularly and can stand to save on a cheaper plan. With MATE, you might as well grab its NBN 25 plan for faster speeds at the same price.

MATE offers a decent deal overall, but it's worth comparing your other options, especially if you're looking for more reliably fast speeds.

Here's what you'll get with a MATE Internet plan:

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BYO modem options

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Satisfaction guarantee

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Mobile bundling discount

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Home phone bundle

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Australia-based customer support

How do MATE's NBN plans compare?

To see how MATE's plans measure up to others on the market, we've compared its NBN 50 plan with similar offerings from TPG and Aussie Broadband.

MATE's plan is about equal with TPG's in terms of cost, and about $10 cheaper per month than Aussie Broadband. If you have your own modem, both MATE and Aussie Broadband have no set up fee, but if you need a new modem MATE's is pricey at $165 (modems can cost under $100 depending on the provider).

When it comes to speed, MATE lags far behind, coming in 6-8Mbps slower during peak periods than the other two plans. Unless you already have or want to buy a MATE mobile plan, you could be better off with another provider if speed is your main concern.

Compare MATE's ADSL plans below

MATE's ADSL plans explained

MATE has two ADSL plans, but which one you can access will depend on whether you're connected to a regional exchange or a city exchange. You must also have an active home phone line with another provider to get MATE's standalone ADSL.

  • city mates standalone. Unlimited data for $49 per month.
  • country mates standalone. Unlimited data for $59 per month.

You can BYO modem or buy MATE's recommended one for $165 at sign-up.

Alternatively, get a home phone bundle with MATE and avoid the need for a home phone service from another provider:

  • city mates bundle. Unlimited data for $69 per month. Includes a home phone line with unlimited local and national calls, and mobile calls at 40c/minute.
  • country mates bundle. Unlimited data for $99 per month. Includes a home phone line with unlimited local and national calls, and mobile calls at 40c/minute.

You might be required to pay up to $99 in set-up fees if your home phone line is not connected when purchasing this plan, or $240 if cabling work must be done.

MATE customer service

MATE's customer service exists largely online. Check out what's available below.

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Account management

You can manage your Internet account by logging on via the portal on the MATE website.

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Customer service

You can call MATE or chat to their support team online between the hours of 8:30am-7pm, Monday to Saturday.

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Technical support

For technical support, contact MATE using their online chat as above, or email their support team for assistance.

Frequently asked questions

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2 Responses

    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
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