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Southern Phone NBN review

Regardless of your connection type, Southern Phone has a plan for you - covering fixed-line, satellite, and more, with Australian customer support.

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Sam Baran
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Southern Phone has been providing broadband connections – to regional Australia in particular – for a long time. It continues to do so after being bought out by AGL at the end of 2019. No matter what kind of connection you're after, Southern Phone probably provides it.

Highlights

  • Many Internet connection types offered
  • Australia-based customer support

Compare NBN plans from Southern Phone below

Southern Phone offers fixed-line connections covering Standard, Turbo and Max speed tiers on Internet only, month-to-month plans. On the other hand, if you're looking to add call credits onto your plan, Southern Phone also offers 24-month NBN bundles that run on NBN12, NBN25 and NBN50.

What are Southern Phone NBN plans like?

Southern Phone's regular NBN plans are offered on a month-to-month basis, with no lock-in contracts.

  • Standard NBN25. Unlimited data for $65 per month. Typical evening speed of 25.00Mbps.
  • Turbo NBN50. Unlimited data for $75 per month. Typical evening speed of 47.00Mbps.
  • Max NBN100. Unlimited data for $95 per month. Typical evening speed of 89.00Mbps.

You can either bring your own modem or purchase one from Southern Phone for $99.

Southern Phone also has a range of NBN phone bundles, only available on a 24-month contract. These include a modem automatically.

  • Basic NBN12 bundle. 100GB data for $60 per month ($60 for first 24 months). Includes unlimited local and national calls. Typical evening speed of 10Mbps.
  • Basic Unlimited NBN12 bundle. Unlimited data for $70 per month ($70 for first 24 months). Includes unlimited local and national calls. Typical evening speed of 10Mbps.
  • Standard NBN25 bundle. Unlimited data for $75 per month ($75 for first 24 months). Includes unlimited local, national and mobile calls. Typical evening speed of 19Mbps.
  • Turbo NBN50 bundle. Unlimited data for $85 per month ($85 for first 24 months). Includes unlimited local, national and mobile calls. Typical evening speed of 38Mbps.

Finally, Southern Phone has a "triple bundle" which includes NBN, a home phone line and a mobile plan.

  • Unlimited NBN50. Unlimited data for $110 per month. Includes unlimited local, national and mobile calls on your home line. Also includes 10GB of mobile data per month. Typical evening NBN speed of 38Mbps.

Southern Phone review

Southern Phone is a huge provider of Internet services to regional Australia and was bought out by AGL at the end of 2019. It has satellite, NBN, home wireless and mobile broadband services on offer.
Here's what you get with Southern Phone:

modem

BYO modem options

customer support

Australian customer supports

Is Southern Phone any good? We ask our utilities expert and writer, Sam Baran

Photo of Sam BaranSouthern Phone offers below-average plans for average prices.

While Southern Phone's plans cost about the Finder average price for their tier, their typical evening speeds are well below the ACCC industry averages and many other comparably priced plans on the market. There's very little to recommend a Southern Phone plan over any other.

When it comes to non-NBN plans, watch out for lengthy contracts with fairly steep exit fees if you want to leave or switch early.

How does Southern Phone compare?

To show you how Southern Phone lines up against its competition, we've placed its NBN50 plan up against similar ones from TPG and Dodo.

ProviderTypical evening speedPriceExtra features
Southern Phone38Mbps$75 per month + $99 modem fee (no BYO)None
Dodo41Mbps$70 per month ($60 for first 6 months) + $120 set-up fee (no contract)Fetch TV for $25 per month
TPG48Mbps$69.99 per month + $99.95 set-up fee (no contract)None

Southern Phone's plan costs $5 more per month than either Dodo or TPG, and has a comparable set-up fee unless you bring your own modem.

The typical speed for Southern Phone's plan is far below the ACCC industry average (47.3Mbps), and lower than either of its competitors. There's very little reason to pick Southern Phone over other providers.

Pros

  • Wide range of services
  • BYO modem options

Cons

  • Contracts on many of its plans
  • Very poor typical speeds

Southern Phone customer service

account management icon
Account management

To manage your account and deal with billing, you can log into your account via the web portal on Southern Phone's site.

customer service icon
Customer service

Southern Phone's customer service line is open 8am to 8pm, Monday to Sunday. There is also a live chat feature on the Southern Phone website.

Customer support icon

Technical support

Southern Phone doesn't have a dedicated technical support line. Instead, you can reach them by the methods outlined for customer service.

Check out satellite plans from Southern Phone below

Sky Muster Plus plans let you do most online activities except video streaming and VPN services without being metered, meaning you can surf the Internet to your heart's content.

Southern Phone's satellite plans explained

Southern Phone sells Sky Muster Plus plans, which only count video streaming and VPN activity against your monthly data allowance. Speeds are usually capped at 25Mbps, and data is split into peak (7am-1am) and off-peak (1am-7am) periods.

  • Satellite X Small. 25GB peak/25GB off-peak for $55 per month.
  • Satellite Small. 50GB peak/50GB off-peak for $70 per month.
  • Satellite Medium. 100GB peak/100GB off-peak for $130 per month.
  • Satellite Large. 150GB peak/150GB off-peak for $190 per month.

If you exceed your data limit, you'll automatically get extra data, charged at 1.1c per MB ($11 per 1GB). Southern Phone does not provide a modem, only the mobile broadband SIM.

Compare Southern Phone home wireless plans here

If you're lacking a decent fixed-line connection where you live, a home wireless plan from Southern Phone will let you get a reasonable amount of data without breaking the bank.

Southern Phone's home wireless plans explained

Southern Phone has two home wireless plans, operating on the Optus 4G network.

  • Home Wireless 50. 200GB for $50 per month.
  • Home Wireless 70. 500GB for $70 per month.

A 4G home wireless modem is included in these plans for an additional $79 fee.

Compare Southern Phone mobile broadband plans

Southern Phone offers up to 100GB of data per month on 12 month contracts. Grab a SIM and get connected.

Southern Phone mobile broadband plans explained

Southern Phone's mobile broadband plans use the Optus 4G network (covering 98.5% of Australians), and come exclusively on a 12 month contract.

  • Mobile broadband Extra Small. 7GB for $15 per month.
  • Mobile broadband Small. 15GB for $25 per month.
  • Mobile broadband Medium. 50GB for $40 per month.
  • Mobile broadband Large. 100GB for $65 per month.

Each plan comes in the form of a SIM card you insert into your device. If you cancel before 12 months pass, you'll be charged an early termination fee based on the plan.

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6 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    BettyJuly 24, 2019

    I was offered a plan of $96 per month with unlimited texts on mobile and calls. I have just now received a monthly account for $176. Also I cannot connect the landline phone since receiving the new modum but have been charged for a long distance phone call. I have tried to contact Southern Phone without success.

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      NikkiJuly 24, 2019

      Hi Betty,

      Thanks for leaving a message on our page. Sorry to hear you haven’t had success contacting Southern. I’d be glad to check your July account for you however Finder doesn’t have this kind of access. It would be best to contact Southern Phone’s billing department directly to investigate the charges on your account. Also, since you are experiencing technical difficulties with your new modem, when you speak to Southern, request for a home service technician and inquire about the costs.

      Sorry I couldn’t be of further help. Hope this helps and find a solution to this soon.

      Cheers,
      Nikki

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    davidApril 26, 2017

    do i have to change to nbn or can i stay with my adsl bundle including mobiles

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      ArnoldApril 26, 2017

      Hi David,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      Unfortunately, All ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2+ internet services from all providers will be disconnected.

      Moving to the nbn™ network is not automatic and the following services will be permanently disconnected if you do not arrange to move them to the nbn™ network before the advised date.

      We suggest you prepare before calling your preferred provider so you can discuss all your requirements before ordering your services and booking an installation. Your service provider will be able to advise you, discuss the options and the range of competitive nbn™ plans that they have to offer. After notification that you can switch to the nbn™ network, you will have 18 months to move your services to the new network before the existing network is switched off. We will send you reminders, but we highly recommend switching well before your disconnection date as it may take time to process your order.

      Hope this information helped.

      Cheers,
      Arnold

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    ronbeeAugust 30, 2016

    Does Southern Phone have technicians come out to set up a service?

    Reply
      Avatarfinder Customer Care
      DeeSeptember 1, 2016Staff

      Hi Ronbee,

      Thanks for your question.

      Yes, Southern Phone have technicians who will set-up the services. However, please note that customers are required to pay a $59 setup fee.

      Cheers,
      Anndy

      Reply
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