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Compare Unlimited Broadband Plans for NBN, Cable and ADSL

Jonathan Choi

Unlimited broadband plans: enjoying coffee in bed while checking work emails without a worry

Tired of being capped? Unlimited broadband plans provide you with more data, so you can stream, search and surf as much as you want.

Broadband Offer

TPG NBN50 Bundle Unlimited

$69.99

Monthly

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Min. Total Cost of $199.94

Promotion
Provider Logo
Unlimited

Data
43 Mbps

Typical peak evening speed

Why should you choose an unlimited plan?

Not so long ago, capped broadband plans were the de facto means of connecting to the Internet. Monthly data quotas meant you had to be cautious with your downloads and uploads lest you exceed your limit and suffer a "throttled" (slowed down) connection – or worse, excess usage fees.

Nowadays, unlimited data plans are far more common than their capped counterparts, with many broadband providers trading exclusively in unlimited plans.

Unlimited broadband plans provide the following advantages:

  • Browse at the standard plan speed for the entire billing period without limits.
  • No speed penalties for exceeding a monthly download quota.
  • No peak and off-peak browsing times. Receive unlimited download limits 24/7.
  • Peace of mind with a set billing amount every month.

What are the main features to compare for unlimited plans?

How fast will my unlimited plan be?

Your Internet speed will depend on the provider you apply with, the type of connection you have and the infrastructure of your area. As a result it is important to check what broadband plans are available at your home address.

Once you've determined the options available to you, here are the key factors that will affect the speed of your new Internet plan:

  • Type of Internet connection
    The type of technology and network access method you choose are critical in determining your Internet speed. The types of connections and considerations include:
    • ADSL/ ADSL2+. If you are considering an ADSL/ ADSL2+ plan, make sure you consider how far your house is from the exchange. The further your house is from the exchange, the slower your speed will be.
    • Cable. This type of connection uses the coaxial cables laid by Telstra and Optus in the 1990s to deliver high speed Internet to premises within the network's footprint.
    • NBN. NBN overcomes the challenges faced by older technologies by feeding fibre straight to the premises (FTTP), building or basement (FTTB) or node (FTTN). For remote Australians, NBN connections are also available as fixed wireless or satellite connections, though there are limitations on speed that these technologies cannot overcome.
  • Network congestion
    All network connection types mentioned above can experience slower speeds depending on the number of people accessing an Internet provider's service at a single time. The busiest times for Internet browsing in Australia are usually between 7:00PM and 11:00PM, and as such this is typically the time when Internet speeds are at their slowest.
  • Modem and equipment
    Your connection speed could be limited if your modem is out-of-date or the performance of your computer is being affected. If you are using an old modem, you can often purchase a new one directly from your Internet provider or from an electronic retailer.
  • The health of your computer. The performance of your computer can be influenced by the browser you are using and whether any viruses/ malware are affecting your computer's health. If your current browser is taking a while to load, try switching browsers. If you're concerned about a virus or other nasty malware, you can ensure your computer is safe by using antivirus software.
  • Wi-Fi connection
    While Wi-Fi connections are convenient, they can also be considerably slower than connecting to a modem with an Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi connections can also be affected by the thickness of walls, how far you are from the modem and how many other devices are connected at the same time.
  • Location of the server
    If you are downloading content from overseas, the speed can be lower than downloads from a server in Australia.

Internet Speeds in Australia

Connection type Internet speed
ADSL 1
  • Download: Up to 8Mbps
  • Upload: Up to 1Mbps
ADSL 2+
  • Download: Up to 20Mbps
  • Upload: Up to 1Mbps
Cable (Base Plan)
  • Download: Up to 30Mbps
  • Upload: Up to 1Mbps
Cable (Speed Boost)
  • Download: Up to 100Mbps
  • Upload: Up to 2Mbps
nbn™ Basic
  • Download: Typically around 9Mbps
  • Upload: Typically around 0.8Mbps
nbn™ Standard
  • Download: Typically around 20Mbps
  • Upload: Typically around 4Mbps
nbn™ Standard Plus
  • Download: Typically around 40Mbps
  • Upload: Typically around 15Mbps
nbn™ Premium
  • Download: Typically around 80Mbps
  • Upload: Up Typically around 30Mbps

Contract term

Providers usually offer 24-month, 12-month or month-to-month contracts. You can expect perks like an included modem or Pay TV subscription if you sign up to a longer term plan. A month-to-month plan, meanwhile, allows you to cancel any time without any additional exit fees, though you will usually have to pay a higher up front cost for the privilege.

Cost

The price of unlimited plans can range anywhere from around $30 a month up to $100+ depending on contract length, NBN speed and any other benefits you may opt for. More expensive options may include entertainment and streaming services like Foxtel, Fetch TV or unmetered Netflix.

Cheapest Unlimited broadband plans in Australia

Extras

To ensure that you get the best deal available, look out for the following plan extras to sweeten your unlimited broadband deal:

  • Streaming services e.g. Netflix, Stan
  • Paid TV packages e.g. Fetch, Foxtel
  • Sports TV packages
  • Free modem
  • Discounts off mobile plan prices
  • Home phone included

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