Tangerine’s new fast cheap internet plan: How does it stack up?
This shakeup from Tangerine comes ahead of the NBN speed upgrades set for September.
Tangerine has ditched its two fastest internet plans, NBN 250 and NBN 1000, in favour of a new option.
It's gone and added an NBN 500 plan to the mix, also known as Speedy Max.
You can get up to 500Mbps download and 50Mbps upload speeds for just under $90 a month.
This is more than enough for 4+ heavy internet users online at the same time, 4K or 8K streaming on multiple devices, large file uploads and a home with many, many smart home devices connected.
For now, Speedy Max is being delivered under the NBN 1000 speed tier until 14 September 2025.
We'll get into the why in just a bit (or you can jump straight down to the context), but let's chat price first.
How much does Tangerine's new plan cost and is it worth it?
Tangerine's known for slinging juicy discounts, so you can bet it's going to do the same for the launch of its newest plan for new customers.
As you can see in the table, both the 6-month discounted price and the ongoing prices are fairly competitive. For example, the NBN 500 plan costs just $4 a month more than its NBN 50 plan but is 10 times faster.
In fact, the average price of NBN 50 and NBN 100 plans on Finder is about $85 and $96 per month, respectively.
So even if the speeds are more than you need, they could still be worth it.
| Plan | Discounted price per month for 6 months | Ongoing price per month | I'm keen! |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBN 25 | $49.90 | $69.90 | |
| NBN 50 | $61.90 | $84.90 | |
| NBN 100/20 | $68.90 | $88.90 | |
| NBN 100/40 | $77.90 | $92.90 | |
| NBN 500 | $68.90 | $88.90 |
The main catch is that you need a Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or a Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) NBN connection to access these speeds.
When you click on the sign-up button, it'll take you to Tangerine's website, where you can check your NBN connection type.
There's also a chance your address qualifies for a free upgrade to FTTP from NBN Co.
If you're already on an NBN 100/20 or NBN 100/40 plan with Tangerine, you'll be automatically upgraded to the NBN 500 plan from 14 September at no extra cost, provided you have an FTTP or HFC connection.
You will also need a compatible WiFi 6 modem to access the faster speeds, which Tangerine is offering for $49.90.
What are the NBN speed upgrades and why did Tangerine launch a new plan?
NBN Co will boost speeds across three existing tiers from 14 September and introduce a new, even faster option called NBN 2000 or Hyperfast internet.
Here's what's changing with the current speed tiers:
- Home Fast (NBN 100) will jump from 100/20Mbps to 500/50Mbps, making it five times faster
- Home Superfast (NBN 250) will go from 250/25Mbps to a speedy 750/50Mbps
- Home Ultrafast (NBN 1000) will double its upload speed, reaching up to 1000/100Mbps
That's likely why Tangerine introduced NBN 500 and scrapped the other speeds.
Exetel did something similar recently, but it went a step further by removing all of its NBN plans to offer just a single NBN 500 plan.
"This is just the beginning," Andrew Branson, chief executive officer of Tangerine, said in a media release.
We know the cost-of-living crisis is biting, and that Australians really view internet use as a non-negotiable in their household budget, and we wanted to give more Australians the opportunity to experience Tangerine's refreshingly simple internet experience and great offers, by rolling out a high speed plan which suits the modern day household, at an attractive per month price.
"We're working hard behind the scenes to prepare for the rollout of increased high-speed plan options in September, giving Australians greater choice and flexibility when it comes to their internet."
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