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How to change your internet provider

Changing internet providers doesn't need to be a chore. Whether you're unhappy with your current plan or just looking for a better deal, there are only 4 easy steps involved in switching NBN providers.

How to switch your NBN provider

Change to a new NBN provider and plan in just 4 easy steps:

  1. Check your current plan and modem set-up
  2. Compare internet plans and providers
  3. Check your address with your new provider to confirm availability and sign up to your new plan
  4. Cancel your current internet plan

Step 1: Check your current plan and hardware

Before you make plans to change NBN providers, it's a good idea to take stock of your existing plan and any hardware.

  • If you plan to BYO modem to the new provider, double-check that your modem isn't locked to your current provider. If it is, you might need to ask your provider to unlock it.

Keep in mind that some internet providers, such as TPG and Exetel, require 30 days notice to cancel your NBN service.

Its terms and conditions stipulate that you must pay for charges up to the end of the notice period. In cases like these, you might want to time your cancellation notice to match the end of your last billing period to avoid paying for an extra month you don't want.

If your NBN plan was on a contract (eg. 24 months), and if you're leaving before that period ends, chances are there will be some fees to pay. You should check if there are any fees you'll need to pay for leaving early, such as cancellation and modem fees.

Moving house? Confirm which type of NBN connection you'll have in your new place. This will help determine if your current modem is compatible and whether you need any extra pieces of tech, like an NBN connection box.

Step 2: Compare NBN plans and providers

With the sheer number of NBN plans available, making a decision about which plan you'd like to sign up for can be overwhelming. Think about your reasons for switching. Are you after:

Price tag

A better deal?

If you've been with your current internet provider for over a year, chances are, you could be getting a better price for a similar plan. Shop around to compare plans and you might be surprised by what extra features or sign-up discounts another provider might be offering.

review icon

Better service?

Read reviews, talk to friends and family and research online. When looking at crowdsourced online reviews, use common sense. Fake reviews are becoming more common. See if you notice a trend across different review sites such as TrustPilot or Product Review to confirm if reviews are from real customers.

High Speed

Faster speed?

With many providers offering similar typical evening speeds these days, one way to separate them is to see how reliable these speeds are. Each quarter, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) ranks the most reliable NBN providers in Australia. A higher ranking means more reliable advertised speeds. Taking stock of what you actually use the internet for will also help determine what speed you need. If you only email or browse the web, you can get by with slower speeds, but if you frequently play games or stream in 4K, you'd want a faster connection.

Step 3: Sign up to your new provider

Once you've considered all your options and made a choice that's right for you, it's time to sign up to your new provider.

If you're staying at the same address and choosing to BYO modem, it could be as fast as a few hours or the next business day.

Moving house? It's good practice to sign up at least a few days to a week before you need your plan. That way, if there are issues with the delivery or set-up of your new modem, or the connection itself, you won't be stranded without any internet.

  • Keep in mind: If you're moving to a new development that's not already connected to the NBN, you may be charged $300 to connect your premises to the NBN.

Step 4: Transfer any data and break up with your old provider

If you've got an email or phone service connected to your old NBN provider that you'd like to keep, you'll need to transfer these before you close your account. Otherwise you will lose emails and contacts, or your landline phone number.

  • Email: Your provider should assist you with transferring your emails and contact information to a third-party service like Google Gmail or Microsoft Outlook. Remember any data you don't transfer may be lost when you close your account.
  • Home phone service: Arrange for your landline phone number to be transferred before you switch from your old service. If your old service ends before you transfer, you will lose your existing home phone number.

Once you've confirmed any data transfers and paid any outstanding bills, it's time to cancel your plan with your old NBN provider.

  • Keep in mind: Your new provider may not automatically cancel your old NBN connection when you switch. Calling up yourself provides peace of mind that everything has been organised.

Who's the most popular provider?

Telstra is the most popular broadband provider, according to our consumer sentiment tracker data (November 2023). The top providers were Telstra (39%), Optus (19%), TPG (9%), iinet (7%), Belong (5%), Vodafone (4%), Aussie Broadband (4%) and Tangerine (2%).

Compare NBN plans

Pop in your address below to find NBN plans tailored to your connection type at your address, or compare NBN plans yourself.

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1 - 5 of 47
Name Product Data Allowance Typical download speed Price Hid Compare Box!
Dodo NBN100 Unlimited Comparison Exclusive
NBN
Month-to-month
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: $70/mth for the first 6 months, then $85/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 27.2.24
Exclusive
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $79. T&Cs apply
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
95Mbps
nbnâ„¢100
Speed
95Mbps
nbnâ„¢100
$70
per month
Min total cost is $70 for first month
Price
$70 per month
Min total cost is $70 for first month
TPG NBN50
NBN
Month-to-month
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $99.95
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
50Mbps
nbnâ„¢50
Speed
50Mbps
nbnâ„¢50
$74.99
per month
Min total cost is $74.99 for first month
Price
$74.99 per month
Min total cost is $74.99 for first month
iiNet NBN100 Liimitless
NBN
Month-to-month
OFFER: $89.99/mth for the first 12 months, then $99.99/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or $0 modem if you stay connected for 24 months. T&Cs apply
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
90Mbps
nbnâ„¢100
Speed
90Mbps
nbnâ„¢100
$89.99
per month
Min total cost is $89.99 for first month
Price
$89.99 per month
Min total cost (incl delivery + fees) is $89.99 for first month
Dodo NBN25 Unlimited Finder Exclusive
NBN
Month-to-month
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: $55/mth for the first 6 months, then $65/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 27.2.24
Exclusive
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $79. T&Cs apply
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
25Mbps
nbnâ„¢25
Speed
25Mbps
nbnâ„¢25
$55
per month
Min total cost is $55 for first month
Price
$55 per month
Min total cost is $55 for first month
Belong NBN Premium Broadband
NBN
Month-to-month
OFFER: $80/mth for the first 6 months, then $90/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.24
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $84. T&Cs apply
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
100Mbps
nbnâ„¢100
Speed
100Mbps
nbnâ„¢100
$80
per month
Min total cost is $80 for first month
Price
$80 per month
Min total cost is $80 for first month
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2 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    LanaMay 14, 2019

    How I want to use a different internet provider with my iiNet modem but only has iiNet or sister companies in the set up wizard. How else do I configure please?

      AvatarFinder
      MaiMay 15, 2019Finder

      Hi Lana,

      Thank you for reaching out.

      The set up wizard will not allow you to choose other providers aside from iiNet and its sister company. You may need to do manual configuration. You have to contact your incoming NBN provider to assist you with manual configuration of your iiNet modem that will match with their settings.

      Hope this helps! 😊

      Kind Regards,
      Mai

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