Optus NBN: Review & Compare Plans April 2021 | Finder
finder.com.au

Optus NBN plans

Get a high-speed NBN plan from one of Australia’s most reliable Internet providers, Optus.

Compare plans
Avatar
Sam Baran
Updated . What changed?
Fact checked

We’re reader-supported and may be paid when you visit links to partner sites. We don’t compare all products in the market, but we’re working on it!

You probably know Optus as a provider of all sorts of things, from mobile plans to home Internet. Optus' credentials back its service up – it's one of the most consistent providers of the NBN, based on reports by the ACCC.

Highlights

  • Unlimited data on all NBN plans
  • Exclusive access to the English Premier League via Optus Sport
  • One of the most reliable providers according to the ACCC

Compare Optus NBN plans here

Optus has two basic plans on offer, falling into the NBN50 and NBN100 speed tiers. You can throw in Fetch TV bundles on top of them for some extra money per month.

More on Optus NBN plans

When you take out a plan with Optus, you can select between two speed tiers. Both plans come with a PAYG home phone line and free access to Optus Sport.

  • NBN50 Internet Everyday. Unlimited data for $75 per month. Typical evening speed of 44Mbps.
  • NBN100 Internet Everyday 100. Unlimited data for $95 per month. Typical evening speed of 80Mbps, max upload speed of 20Mbps.

You can add on a couple of entertainment packages to these basic plans. For an extra $4 monthly, you'll get a Fetch Mini TV box with three months of the Ultimate Channel Pack free. For $15 extra, you'll get the Fetch Mighty TV box along with one Premium channel pack.

All plans also come with the Optus Ultra WiFi modem, which features automatic 4G backup if the NBN goes down.

What's Optus NBN speed like?

PlanTypical evening speed
Standard (NBN50) Internet Everyday44Mbps
Fast (NBN100) Internet Everyday 10080Mbps

Although Optus doesn't promise the fastest speeds out there, they do have a great track record of actually delivering what they promise.

According to the October 2020 ACCC broadband performance data, Optus was the top-scoring provider. It delivered 89.3% of its maximum plan speeds during the busy hours of 7pm-11pm, and it has maintained a similarly high score for the past few reports.

This means that, above all else, Optus's broadband connections are fairly reliable and shouldn't dip horribly in speed, even during really busy times of the day.

Optus also technically offers NBN speed packs to selected customers on "eligible plans". You may potentially be able to add on a speed pack to your plan for a faster connection, but you'll need to contact Optus to find out.

Optus NBN modem features

Optus's NBN plans come with the Optus Ultra WiFi Modem as a mandatory part of the plan. It's free if you stick with Optus for 36 months, but if you cancel earlier, you'll have to pay $7 for each month less than the 36 that you've been connected.

The modem will automatically switch over to 4G mobile backup if the NBN goes down, so you don't have to go without an Internet connection.

If you're transferring to Optus from another NBN plan, simply connect the modem according to the included instructions or pay Optus $140 for a professional modem installation. If you've never been on the NBN before, a technician may need to visit your house to finalise the connection, though this is free and doesn't require anything from you.

Optus NBN review: Is Optus good for the NBN?

Whether Optus is the best choice for you depends on what you're looking for in an Internet plan. However, while Optus isn't the cheapest option, they are a provider with a solid reputation and reliable service, according to the industry authority ACCC.

Optus also has several entertainment extras, which are great if they interest you. Here are the main features of its NBN plans:

optus sport

Optus Sport

fetch tv bundles

Fetch TV bundles

home phone

Home phone

optus ultra wifi modem

4G backup modem

Below is a quick summary of what you can get with Optus' NBN plans:

Feature
Does Optus have it?
Unlimited data plansyes, this feature is not available
Cheaper data-capped plansno, this feature is not available
Home phone line/call packsyes, this feature is not available
Entertainment add-onsyes, this feature is not available
Compulsory modem purchaseyes, this feature is not available
NBN speeds availableNBN50, NBN100
Contract choicesMonth to month

How does Optus NBN compare

We've lined up Optus's NBN50 plan against similar plans from other providers so you can see how it compares.

ProviderTypical evening speedPriceExtra features
Optus44.0Mbps$75 per month + $99 connection fee4G mobile backup, Optus Sport, home phone with PAYG calls, Fetch bundles
TPG46.0Mbps$69.99 per month + $99.95 set-up fee ($0 on 18 month contract)PAYG home phone
Telstra44.0Mbps$90 per month + $99 connection fee (if you don't sign up online)4G mobile backup, Telstra Plus, Telstra Air WiFi, home phone line with free Australian calls

From this table, Optus does just fine on price, coming in a little more expensive than TPG, but much cheaper than Telstra. It does have a slower typical evening speed than other providers, but this comes with a reliable reputation that your connection will perform well even during busy periods.

Optus also does great on the feature front, offering a bunch of extras with its plan that smaller providers like TPG are lacking. It's still not as feature packed as Telstra, but then, you are paying less. You won't find many providers with more entertainment options than Optus.

Optus NBN support channels

account management

Account management

You can check in and manage your account on Optus's website using the My Account feature. Alternatively, hop on the comprehensive My Optus app, which lets you run speed tests, update your account details and message Optus directly for live chat support.

customer service
Customer service

Optus has a live chat feature you can use to get fast replies, or you can call them 8am-8pm on weekdays and 9am-5pm on weekends.

technical support
Technical support

Ring up Optus's technical support line 8am-8pm, seven days a week or go onto the My Optus mobile app to submit a request for tech support.

community forum
Community forum

Optus is one of only a few providers to still have an online forum, the Yes Crowd, where users can post problems or questions and get help from the community and Optus staff.

How many people complain about Optus?

According to a report from the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman for 2018-2019, Optus has been holding steady in terms of complaint volume, with about 24% of all complaints in that period levelled against them.

This isn't terrible, considering that only a quarter of these complaints were about Optus's NBN connections (nearly half were about mobile services). You can see how Optus's complaints volume has fluctuated over the past few years in the graph below:
tio annual report
Image from TIO Annual Report 2018-2019, p.45

Optus is a major provider, so this number of complaints isn't necessarily unexpected. At the very least, it offers quite a few avenues for you to contact the company if you need to.

FAQ about Optus NBN plans

How do I connect to Optus NBN?

To connect to Optus NBN, buy an NBN plan either in-store or online, set up the modem that comes with it, and you should be able to get going with the Internet. Should you run into any trouble, feel free to use any of Optus's support channels listed in the guide on this page.

Is NBN faster than Optus cable?

While cable Internet can theoretically reach a maximum download speed of 100Mbps – about the max you'd expect on most NBN connections – the biggest difference is in upload speeds. Cable is capped at about 2Mbps for uploads, while NBN plans can go all the way up to 40Mbps and beyond.Also, on the NBN, you can choose your speed tier, unlike on cable where it's one size fits all.

Icons made by Pixel perfect, Freepik, and mavadee from www.flaticon.com

More guides on Finder

Get the best deal on your Internet plan

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

4 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    DannyAugust 7, 2017

    G’Day,
    Am I able to watch the V8 Supercars, Sky F1 coverage and Australian A League?
    I do this on Foxtel at the moment.
    Thanks

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      JonathanAugust 7, 2017

      Hello Danny,

      Thank you for your inquiry.

      The channels/shows you have mentioned are not available in Optus Fetch TV, which would be your subscription service under Optus NBN Plans. You can read more about Optus and Fetch. Check how your subscription would be affected with the changes.

      Optus TV featuring Foxtel services are available in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane or are within cable or HFC-cable enabled area, you may confirm with Optus directly if they offer these in there.

      Hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Jonathan

      Reply
    Default Gravatar
    ClemJune 12, 2017

    Do you have pensioner concessions

    Reply
      Default Gravatar
      DanielleJune 13, 2017

      Hi Clem,

      Thanks for your enquiry.

      The pensioner discount depends on the plan you’re on as some plans are ineligible for the discount. With this in mind, we can’t provide you a specific answer. It would be best to contact Optus directly.

      For other options, you may refer to our list of broadband plans. Compare and select the right plan for you. Get in touch with your chosen provider and you can then ask them about available senior concessions.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out again.
      ​
      Have a wonderful day!
      ​
      Cheers,
      Danielle

      Reply
Go to site