Why compare internet plans with Finder?
We don't charge extra. Prices shown on Finder are the same as those you get directly from internet providers.
We compare almost every major internet provider in Australia, all in one place.
Our team is dedicated to monitoring internet plan prices and keeping deals updated daily.
No upfront costs means that there is no extra money to pay initially, except for the price of the internet plan itself.
Sometimes providers will charge for additional things such as:
Setup fees are easy to avoid as only a few providers have them nowadays. If you find a provider is charging you this, you can probably find a better deal elsewhere.
Installation fees generally only apply if your place has not been connected to the NBN before.
You'll be charged a one-off fee of $300 to connect your property to the NBN, which is usually passed on by the provider to you. So if you're moving to a place that already has an NBN connection or your residence is listed as ready to connect, then you won't be paying this fee.
The most common upfront cost you'll face is if you need to buy a new modem. While some providers will give you a free modem if you stay connected for a certain period of time, others do not have this option.
There may also be a delivery fee associated with getting the modem to you too.
If you're really looking to keep upfront costs to nothing, your best option is to BYO modem from your last provider.
Modems are usually only free with internet plans if you stay with a provider for a set period of time, anywhere from 6 months to 36 months.
If you leave before that period is up, you'll likely have to pay out the remaining cost of your modem, or you'll be asked to return it without any additional charges.
For example, if you were on a 12-month contract and left after 6 months, the provider would have you pay a certain amount for the remaining 6 months left on your contract.
In a different situation, providers like iiNet won't charge you for the modem if you leave early, as long as you return it in good working condition within a set timeframe after cancelling your plan. Otherwise you'll be charged a non-return fee.
Other providers such as Optus charge you upfront for the modem, then credit you back a certain amount each month as you stay with them. Again, if you stay for a certain period of time, the entire cost of the modem will be credited back to you. But if you leave before that time is up, you won't receive the full amount paid upfront.
The average cost of a modem for fixed-line NBN plans in Finder's database is about $140. Depending on the provider you could be paying anywhere between $50 to $252.
As you can see, there's quite a difference in fees, so always make sure to compare modem costs from providers as well as plan fees before making your decision.
Whether it's worth getting your own modem depends on the type you want and how much your internet provider charges for one compared to if you'd buy it yourself from another retailer.
With an average cost for an NBN modem in Finder's database being $140 you could use that as a benchmark as to whether the modem you're looking at is cheaper.
But watch out for delivery fees that some providers add. Grabbing your own modem could dodge that charge and save you some money.
Also, think about how long you're going to stick with your provider. If you're in it for the long haul, then you will end up with a free modem.
You don't always need a new modem if you're switching internet plans as long as you can BYO and it's compatible with your new provider.
In other instances, providers could have their modems locked to their own service. You'll need to ask them to unlock it so you can use it with another provider.
There are 3 cases where you may need a new modem with your internet plan.
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