Best Internet Service Providers

Types of internet service plans

The internet can be accessed in two ways, through a fixed-line, which is a physical cable wired to your property or wirelessly which uses mobile networks or satellite for connection.

There are a few different types of broadband services including fibre optic, satellite, mobile and fixed wireless. The most popular by far is fibre optic but each varies in price, speed and availability, therefore it’s useful to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each before deciding which option to go with.

Where you live will determine the options available to you, but following is a summary of each.

What is NBN?

The National Broadband Network (NBN) is Australia’s newest way of getting internet access. Instead of relying on slow and unsustainable copper wiring, the NBN offers Australia access to fast and reliable internet and landline connection.

As of late 2020, all copper fixed-lines such as ADSL and cable have been replaced in Australia with NBN’s wired and wireless services. This is as part of the NBN rollout initiative to improve internet connection availability and speeds in Australia. Since the date that NBN became available in your local area, you have 18 months to make the switch in order to keep your internet connection.

The NBN network rollout was completed in late 2020 and now extends to all of Australia. The network is government-owned and acts as a wholesale seller to different internet and phone network providers - which then generate their own plans to offer to the general public.

NBN mainly uses optical fibre to deliver internet and is designed to future-proof your home with high-capacity internet and faster speeds. NBN currently has a total of 143 internet providers for Aussies to choose from.

Types of internet connections

What’s a good internet speed?

One of the most important features you’ll want to consider is what speed your internet provider is offering. What you’ll be using the internet for will determine if it’s an investment worth making.

For instance, those looking to stream 4k videos, upload large videos, game online or other tasks which require a fast internet connection will benefit from this investment more than those who generally browse the web or use it to check e-mails.

The internet moves in two directions, so be on the lookout for both the download and upload speed if you plan on uploading videos or documents online.

When comparing plans, pay attention to the bandwidth. This refers to the volume of information that your internet connection can transfer and is measured in megabits of data per second (Mbps). The higher the bandwidth, the higher the number of people who can be connected to the same plan without slowing it down.

The bandwidth that’s suitable for you depends on a number of factors, such as how many people are in your household and what they’re using it for. For example, if you’re a gamer, or are working or studying from home, you might find that paying for more bandwidth is worth it.

NBN Internet speed chart

The NBN has 6 speed tiers and this is what internet service providers (ISPS) will refer to in their plans. The one most suitable for you depends on your household size and what you will be using the internet for:

How about peak times?

When using the internet, you're going to experience varying speeds because of the amount of other users on the network. This means that some times your internet will be faster than other times. Peak times for internet in Australia are between 7pm and 11pm.

It’s important to note that the numbers outlined in the NBN Internet Speed Chart are maximum speeds and actual speeds may fluctuate due to network congestion at peak usage periods. Advertisers have to provide typical minimum download speeds for peak periods and this is a great metric you can use to compare providers. For example, two providers may be selling a 50/20 plan but have different peak period speeds.

What to look for in your internet service provider

When comparing offers between internet service providers, here are a few things to consider:

NBN connection types

There are a few different ways your household can be connected to the NBN. Availability will depend on where you live, so you may not have a choice in which type you get. However, it’s useful to know the differences.

Data allowance

Most plans come with unlimited data these days, but if you don’t use the internet a lot, you could save money by opting for a data-capped plan.

These can range from as little as 10GB a month to 500GB. For those who live in a small household or aren’t online all the time, you could save on your internet bill by choosing a data-capped plan.

On the other hand, if you’re a frequent Netflix or YouTube user in a house of many and you like to spend all hours of the night binge-watching the newest shows, then you’d benefit from an uncapped plan. Roughly, 1GB of data would let you stream between 30-40 minutes of YouTube at 1080p quality.

Everybody has different usage habits and patterns so the following is only a guide:

• 100GB: Basic Internet use such as browsing articles, reading emails and occasional video streaming. Suitable for small households (1-2 people).
• 250GB: Medium Internet use. Tons of browsing, video conferencing, music streaming, some gaming, and medium households (2-3 people).
• 500GB: Heavy Internet use. Lots of video streaming, working from home, video conferencing, larger households (3+ people).
• Unlimited: Large households who do a lot of video streaming or big file downloads. People who don’t want to worry about data use.

If you decide to go for a data-capped plan, you can evaluate your monthly data usage and change your plan up or down a category based on this to get the best value for money.

Introductory deals and bundling

Some internet providers like to draw you in with an enticing introductory offer, but keep in mind the actual cost after the offer ends and whether that provides value for money. These introductory deals could be a bait and switch that have you paying more in the end than an upfront service with no introductory offer.

Bundling - If you need a landline or cable service on top of an internet service, you could consider buying a bundle which could save you a host of money than buying individual services.

Additional costs - Watch out for pesky surprise costs. For instance, some companies require you to rent a modem or a router from them, while other providers will just give you this equipment for free. This is often a hidden cost that they don’t want to tell you upfront in their price, so ask them before you sign anything.

Flexibility - Some providers offer multiple plans to suit different households and contracts that can easily be amended as needed without cancellation costs or other fees. If you know you’d appreciate flexibility and customisation, this is an important feature to invest in.

Other things to consider

Coverage

Make sure that the type of internet connection you’re seeking is available in your local area. If opting for mobile broadband, ensure it has a wide national coverage so you’re not left without the net when you most need it. When getting a modem, ensure it has a range wide enough to cover your entire property so there aren't any dead zones.

Download speed

NBN 50 is the most popular for medium-sized households but NBN 25 is a great budget option for people who don’t use the internet too often. On the flip side, bigger households can benefit from the NBN 100 plan to stream, game and Zoom at the same time.

Plan duration

Broadband plans can have a 'no lock-in' contract, but some may ask for a one- or two-year commitment. The benefit of a longer term contract is that some providers may make the deal a bit more enticing by providing a modem or a period of time of free connection - but the catch is you'll have to pay an exit fee if you want to terminate the contract early. No lock-in contracts, on the other hand, don't charge an exit fee but also might not have sweet perks.

Customer service

This is a big one in case anything goes wrong, you’ll want to know that there’ll be a helpful and friendly person on the other end of the phone to guide you through it. As with all forms of technology, things are likely to malfunction at some point and signing a deal with a trustworthy, transparent and responsive company is highly recommended.

Budget

Of course, the right internet provider for you will dependent on what you're willing to spend each month. Having a budget will help you narrow down your options, but keep in mind that there will be extra fees like activation costs.