The price gap between the cheapest and priciest broadband providers can top $600 a year, but with so many broadband plans and speed tiers out there, it can be hard to know which one's right for you, especially if all the jargon sounds confusing.
Hi, I'm Mariam, Finder’s tech and utilities expert, and I'm here to help you figure out how to compare internet plans and pick the one that works best for your home and won't break the bank.
Let's start with the basics. In Australia, there are a few main ways to get internet at home. Most people use the NBN, which is the National Broadband Network. That includes fixed line NBN, which most of us have, plus satellite and fixed wireless NBN, which are mainly used in regional and rural areas.
If you can't get NBN, you might have access to a private fibre network like those offered by TPG or GigaComm. Another option is home wireless or mobile broadband, which run on 4G or 5G mobile networks. What's actually available to you will depend on where you live. So, it's worth checking which options are available at your address before comparing. You can use the address tracker on Finder to see what plans you can get. If it's not NBN, we'll show you alternatives.
Once you know the type of connection you can get, the next step is to look at speed. For fixed line NBN, speeds are grouped into tiers like NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100 and higher. These help you work out what suits your household.
For example, NBN 25 can be fine for light users or smaller households, while NBN 100 is better for busier homes with three or four people online at once. Your address also determines the type of fixed line NBN connection you have, which will in turn affect what speeds you can get. Some connection types can't go beyond NBN 100, while fibre to the premises, for example, can reach the fastest speeds available all the way up to NBN 2000.
If you're not happy with your NBN connection or you just can't get access to it, home wireless broadband plans have become a really popular alternative, especially on the 5G network as it can hit speeds similar to some NBN plans. The main catch is that not every provider offers it yet and coverage still depends on where you live.
If you want something more portable or your internet needs are pretty light, you could go for a mobile broadband plan. It works similar to your phone plan minus the calls and texts.
Once you've decided on the type of plan, the next thing to look at is data and price. Most internet plans now come with unlimited data, which gives you peace of mind, but with mobile broadband or NBN satellite, data caps are more common. So, make sure your allowance actually fits how you use the internet.
And finally, price. Always, always look out for a deal. Most broadband providers have sign-up offers, think six or even 12-month discounts. Plus, most plans don't have lock-in contracts anymore, so it's easy to switch when a better deal comes along.
And remember to factor in modem costs, too. If you can't bring your own modem or don't already have a compatible one, you might need to get it from your provider. Some will even give you one for free if you stay connected for a certain period or return it after cancelling your plan.
And that's a wrap. Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of how to compare internet plans. Check out the link in the description to shop around for a deal or leave a comment if you have any questions. Bye.
Can your filtered plans be exported in detail for easier comparison?
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Whilst you can make use of the filter on the page by clicking the Plan Details, Providers, Connection types and Advanced tabs, I’m afraid that the results from these tabs cannot be exported. We don’t have that option at the moment.
Best regards,
Rench
I am totally blind so I need some things that some ISP’s do not provide. For example; TPG do not provide access to “Directory assist help line” Free call on 12551.
I have recently connected with TPG not knowing this was unavailable. Therefore – I cannot use the telephone! I also need about 10GB/M in order to use my audio book player [Probably 50GB/M when my son is at home].
Hope you can help – Regards _ Janet
Hi Janet,
Thanks for reaching out.
You can compare your broadband and phone bundle options. There’s a table on that page where you can filter the results by choosing your preferred provider, the price per month, data usage (from 2GB to unlimited), download speed, and even contract length (please see image below). Once you’ve chosen the ISP you want to go with, you would need to contact them if they also provide Directory Assist. I’m afraid that contacting individual providers appears to be the best option to find this out.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May
I currently use iiNet’s VDSL2 service in the ACT with average speed 24 hours per day pof around 75 mbits. When NBN reaches my area in 12 to 18 months will I be forced to change to NBN for a slower speed at higher cost and will iiNet be forced to shut down its VDSL2 system and service?
Hi Brian,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
Please be advised that once the NBN rollout has been completed, all ADSL, ADSL2, and ADSL2+ internet services from all providers will be permanently disconnected. You should contact your provider before the disclosed disconnection date to avoid the disruption of your internet service.
Kindly take note that base on your usage, you can choose your preferred NBN speed from 5MBPS up to 100MBPS. Also, IINET has different NBN Plans categorized as Basic, Boost, and Max.
Lastly, you may visit our NBN Rollout Tracker for the Comprehensive Rollout Guide of NBN (National Broadband Network).
I hope this helps.
Let us know if you have any additional questions in mind and we will gladly assist you on it.
Cheers,
Ash
I need to speak to someone about a particular address?
Hi Melanie,
Thanks for your inquiry.
You can use our NBN tracker/map if you would like to check if your address is NBN ready. Simply, enter your address from the search bar. You can also check our list of NBN plans to compare your options. You can use our comparison table and search filters to help you find the right NBN plan for you. When you are ready, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with the application or get in touch with their representatives for further inquiries you may have.
Please ensure you review the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options.
Best regards,
Rench
I am about to switch to nbn. Do I still have to pay telephone line rental charges and are phone calls charged seperately to internet usage?
Hi Joe,
Thanks for your inquiry
Rental fees may vary between providers. Some lenders may continue to charge you with telephone rental some offer them for three. Most providers offer free calls within Australia. However, charges for overseas calls will also vary depending on the provider.
During this period, it is important that you do not cancel your existing phone service until your phone number has been successfully ported to your new provider. Canceling your service early may lead to a permanent loss of your phone number.
Please feel free to learn more about how to switch your connections to the NBN.
Hope this information helps.
Cheers,
Arnold
Sorry but the NBN is not a “huge improvement”. My area has just been switched on to the NBN. Currently my ADSL connection costs $60 a month for an average of 11Mb/sec. Just looked at similar NBN plans with minimum of 12Mb and the cheapest is $20 more expensive.!!!!!
Hello James.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on NBN.
In terms of NBN in comparison to other connections such as cable and ADSL, it is still good to for consumers to still have other options available.
Everyone gets to choose what would be most suitable for their needs and requirements.
Cheers,
Gru