Is your NBN connection plodding along like a Galapagos turtle? The solution could be as simple as replacing faulty equipment.
Let's start by checking if you're getting the speeds your current plan promises, and then read on to find out how your results compare.
Got your results? Now compare this to the NBN speed tier you're signed up to. For example, if you're on an NBN 50 plan, the maximum download speed you can get is 50Mbps.
However, evening speeds between 7-11pm can vary depending on the provider and plan. When lots of people hop online in the evening, the additional load on the network causes everyone's connection to slow down, despite the NBN being built for high traffic.
Here's a table to help you compare your speed test results a bit better:
| Speed tier | Average typical evening speed on Finder | Minimum speed | Maximum speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBN 12 (Basic I) | 11Mbps | 10Mbps | 12Mbps |
| NBN 25 (Basic II) | 24Mbps | 18Mbps | 25Mbps |
| NBN 50 (Standard) | 48Mbps | 40Mbps | 50Mbps |
| NBN 100 (Fast) | 96Mbps | 77Mbps | 100Mbps |
| NBN 250 (Superfast) | 242Mbps | 205Mbps | 250Mbps |
| NBN 1000 (Ultrafast) | 793Mbps | 600Mbps | 900Mbps |
If you aren't getting the speeds you were promised, start by calling your provider to see if they can help you out. It might be an issue on their end or a problem with how your NBN was set up.
Alternatively, you can find another provider with a fast typical evening speed. The good news is that since most NBN plans come with no lock-in contract, it's easy to switch and ditch.
Cheap and faulty hardware can often affect your connection speed in a bad way. Anything along the NBN chain from your modem to the phone in your hand could be causing an issue in the connection.
Checking your modem. If you got your modem from your provider as part of your plan, it's probably fine. If not, check that your modem is up-to-date enough to handle a fast NBN connection. If you're using an old modem, it could be inadvertently throttling your speeds, and it might need an upgrade. There's also a small chance that your modem is faulty and simply needs replacement.
Testing your Wi-Fi. Hook up your device to an ethernet cable and run an internet speed test. If your internet connection is significantly faster, either your Wi-Fi is getting interference or your modem's antenna isn't strong enough.
You might be getting a slow connection purely because you're on the wrong NBN speed tier.
If your internet is crawling, you might even be on a NBN 12 Basic I plan, which is hardly faster than what you would get on an older ADSL2+ connection.
It could also be the case that you simply have too many people accessing the connection at once, making it crawl for everyone.
Or, there can be other factors at play, such as the intensity of your work.
For example, using a VPN for work can slow down your internet speed due to encryption and rerouting traffic through faraway servers.
The easiest fix is to just upgrade to a higher speed tier. A great default option is an NBN 50 plan, which can support a household of 2-3 medium/heavy internet users.
Check out our guide on the different NBN speed tiers and how to select the best speed for you.
Is your internet connection unreliable?
23% of people rarely get buffering, according to our consumer sentiment tracker but 18% say it happens weekly. A further 14% report daily buffering.
If you're on a Fibre to the Node (FTTN) NBN connection, the speed you get is heavily dependent on how far away that node is.
Signals degrade in old copper wires the further they have to travel, and being at the end of the line can give you a significantly slower connection than someone who's right next to it.
Even a few hundred metres can have a huge impact.
This means that you might have a slower connection than you were promised, simply due to bad luck in your physical location.
Sadly, there's no physical way to improve the quality or capabilities of your connection, since this is a limitation of the NBN installation.
Fix this problem by signing up for home wireless broadband, which uses the same network as a mobile phone.
You can also check if you're eligible for a free upgrade to a Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection by entering your address on NBN Co's website. This could give you access to speeds of up to 1000Mbps.
"I only have to reboot my modem once or twice a year when it slows down or stops working. I also repositioned my modem carefully so it was higher up to get a clearer Wi-Fi signal. It seemed to help with the speed. But then while looking at my internet connection on the NBN checker I discovered I was eligible for an upgrade from Fibre to the Curb to blazing fast Fibre to the Premises. That's a huge speed boost."
Learn which NBN speed tier might be the right fit for your household.
Get the fastest internet available in Australia from providers like Telstra, Optus, TPG and more.
NBN 250 is the second-fastest speed tier, ideal for large households with heavy internet users.
NBN 12 is the go-to entry level plan for those who just need the basics like browsing the web and checking emails.
Our nerds (sorry, experts) go through hundreds of offers every month to bring you the best NBN plans around.
NBN 25 plans are generally more affordable if you're a light internet user and don't need fast speeds.
NBN 50 is the most speed tier in Australia, with discounted prices starting from under $60 a month.
NBN 100 plans are good large households, as well as enthusiastic gamers or streamers.
Cut down on your Internet bill with these cheap NBN plans for under $50.
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