Southern Phone, owned by AGL, offers NBN plans that will suit people looking for a budget-friendly internet connection without a lot of complexity or extra perks.
You can get plans from NBN 25 all the way up to NBN 1000, all on month-to-month terms with unlimited data, no lock-in contracts and no cancellation fees.
The main caveat is on performance transparency.
Southern Phone is not included in the ACCC's Measuring Broadband Australia program - the quarterly independent speed benchmark that covers the top 10 NBN providers.
However, its self-reported typical evening speeds are close to the maximum available on most of the speed tiers it offers.
Pros
Budget-friendly pricing across most speed tiers
No lock-in contracts and no cancellation fees
Optional home phone VoIP add-on for $10 a month
Live chat available
Option to BYO modem if it's compatible
Cons
Fewer plan extras compared to some competitors
Typical evening speeds on the NBN 100 plan are slightly lacking
Compare Southern Phone's fixed-line NBN plans
Speeds above NBN 100 require an FTTP or HFC connection. Entering your address on Southern Phone's website will confirm which plans are available at your property.
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked these
How the Finder Score helps you find a better broadband plans
We designed the Finder Score to simplify your search for the best NBN and Home Wireless plans. By analysing hundreds of options from over 40 providers, we evaluate pricing, speeds, data allowances and plan features. Each factor is weighted and combined to generate a score out of 10 — helping you quickly spot the most competitive plans on the market. Read the full breakdown.
Compare Southern Phone's fixed wireless NBN plans
Southern Phone offers fixed wireless NBN plans for regional and rural areas where a standard fixed-line connection isn't available.
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked these
What features are included with Southern Phone's fixed-line NBN plans?
Southern Phone's plans are lean on extras, but there are a couple of useful inclusions worth knowing about.
Home phone add-on
For an extra $10 per month, you can add a VoIP home phone service with unlimited calls to local, national and Australian mobile numbers.
International call rates apply separately.
Flexible plan changes
You can change your plan once per billing period at no charge. There are no early termination fees and no lock-in contracts, so you can cancel at any time.
However, you will have to pay outstanding charges and receive a pro-rata refund for the unused portion of your current billing period.
How does Southern Phone rate on performance?
Southern Phone is not included in the ACCC's Measuring Broadband Australia program, which independently tests and publishes quarterly speed data for Australia's major NBN providers.
That means there is no third-party verification of how Southern Phone's network performs during busy evening hours (7pm-11pm), when most people are online at the same time.
Instead, Southern Phone publishes its own self-reported typical evening speeds.
In most cases, these match the maximum speeds available on each plan. For example, on its NBN 50 plan, you can expect typical evening speeds of around 50Mbps.
However, performance can vary at higher tiers. The NBN 100 plan sits slightly below some competitors, while the NBN 1000 plan doesn't quite hit the maximum potential speed, although it still performs reasonably well for the ultrafast tier.
If your connection isn't reaching Southern Phone's advertised speeds, it's best to contact the provider directly.
How does Southern Phone rate for customer service?
You can get in touch with Southern Phone in the following ways:
Call the team from 8am-6pm AEST, Monday to Friday
Live chat with an associate on its website from 8am-9pm AEST on any day of the week
According to the latest ACMA performance report for July-September 2025, Southern Phone recorded 38 complaints per 10,000 services and an average complaint resolution time of 7 days.
These figures cover its combined mobile and NBN service offerings.
Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 and 2025 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist.
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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.
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
davidApril 26, 2017
do i have to change to nbn or can i stay with my adsl bundle including mobiles
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
ronbeeAugust 30, 2016
Does Southern Phone have technicians come out to set up a service?
AnndySeptember 1, 2016
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.
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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.
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
do i have to change to nbn or can i stay with my adsl bundle including mobiles
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
Does Southern Phone have technicians come out to set up a service?
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