Best Internet Service Providers

Whether you’re streaming the latest TV shows or working from home, fast and reliable internet is paramount - so what should you look for in your internet service provider? Read more…

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

Fibre

Fibre-optic internet is a type of wired broadband internet that transfers data using fibre optic cables made of glass. Fibre-optic internet provides one of the fastest options on the market. Internode, iiNet, Harbour, Australia On-Line and Lantel all offer fibre internet connection.

Typically, this is the most common type of connection found in cosmopolitan hubs.

Fixed wireless

Depending on your location, you’ll be offered either fibre or fixed wireless connection, determined by NBN Co, and only about 4% of the Australian population will be eligible for a fixed wireless NBN connection.

This form of internet connection works by transmitting data using radio signals instead of cable and offers standard speeds. Since they use radio signals, close proximity to a fixed transmission tower is essential for this to work.

Fixed wireless and satellite connections are typically most used in rural areas where properties are widespread or have limited access to adequate infrastructure. They are a bridging service that helps more people get onto the network.

Fixed wireless nbn set up

Image credit: NBN Co.

Satellite

Satellite internet is a type of wireless internet transmitted using satellites, similar to satellite television, the signal is picked up by a satellite dish and transmitted to your home. You can then connect to the internet via a modem. It is often a good choice if you live somewhere regional, however, this option tends to be slower than wired.

To access a satellite connection you will need both an NBN qualified modem and a satellite dish installed on your property. Depending on which plan you choose, setup can be free and plans start at $34.95 per month.The Sky Muster satellite service allows for maximum speeds of 25Mbps and only offers limited data plans.

An up-and-coming company called Starlink, backed by SpaceX, has begun to offer satellite services to create an advanced broadband internet system.

Nbn Sky Muster Satellite set up

Image credit: NBN Co.

Mobile Broadband

Mobile broadbandis an alternative to NBN and uses 4G or 5G cellular networks to connect your devices to the internet. It comes in the form of a USB dongle or a cellular hotspot.

Similar to your mobile phone, this connection type uses reception towers to access the internet. Mobile broadband devices are designed specifically for the internet and can’t make phone calls or run apps like a smartphone can.

The mobile broadband data costs tend to be more expensive but can be relatively effective as a short-term backup for when other types of internet aren’t available.

Finally, mobile broadband is incredibly easy to set up and use. Devices can be set up in just a few minutes, and once you’re connected you’ll be able to disconnect and reconnect with the simple press of a button.

Recently retired types of internet connections

Cable

Cable internet used the same copper cable lines that deliver cable television to your TV to provide internet to your devices, but this service has now been discontinued in Australia.

ADSL

ADSL stands for asymmetrical digital subscriber line and is the name given to a broadband connection that works through the copper wires of your existing phone line. This type of internet has officially been phased out in Australia.

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:

Speed Tier	Max download speed	Max upload speed	Should be used for
NBN 12 (Basic I)	12Mbps	1Mbps	Basic browsing, email, small downloads
NBN 25 (Basic II)	25Mbps	10Mbps	Light video streaming, small households
NBN 50 (Standard)	50Mbps	20Mbps	Medium households, high definition video, gaming
NBN 100 (Fast)	100Mbps	40Mbps	Large households, heavy gamers, big file downloads, small businesses
NBN 250 (Superfast)*	250Mbps	25Mbps	4K video streaming, huge file downloads, large game updates
NBN 1000 (Ultrafast)*	1,000Mbps	50Mbps	Huge households, medium businesses

It’s important to note that the numbers outlined 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.

*The NBN 250 and 1000 speed tiers were released in May of 2020 and are currently only accessible to those with an HFC or FTTP NBN connection.

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.

FTTP

FTTP (fibre to the premises) connection is said to be the best as it’s consistent and provides high-speed internet. It uses a fibre optic cable that runs directly to your house. Roughly 29% of NBN users are currently wired through this medium with the company aiming to pass 2 million premises by the end of 2023.

FTTC

After this, FTTC (fibre to the curb) is considered a fast and reliable method and better than FTTN (fibre to the node) because it has a longer life cycle, is faster and has lower maintenance costs. FTTN uses copper cables and is, therefore, cheaper but you are likely to face slower upload and download speeds.

FTTB

FTTB (fibre to the building) is commonly used in apartment blocks and uses existing cable infrastructure to provide a connection.

HFC

Finally, for those who have a pay-TV cable port in their house, an HFC cable (hybrid fibre-coaxial) can be used. This is the oldest technology as part of the NBN network as is only available in a small catchment area where it has already been installed.

HFC Connection Type

Image credit: NBN Co.

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 ISPS 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 ISPs 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 look for

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 as there’s nothing worse than getting 1 bar of WiFi in your bedroom.

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.

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.

You can read reviews on the best internet service providers and packages on our website today!

Best Internet Service Providers