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The NBN has given Australians living all around the country access to another option when it comes to their internet. Whether you're in the heart of Melbourne's CBD or living in rural Western Australia, it's crucial to take the time to compare NBN plans to help you see which one is the best for your needs.
You can do just that right here with Savvy. By filling out our simple online quote form, you'll be able to compare the best possible NBN plans for where you live from a panel of trusted Australian providers. Get the process started with us and lock in your internet plan today!
Internet service providers (or ISPs) are now offering six speed tiers for customers to choose from when it comes to their NBN plans. It's important to understand how each of these plans works before you choose which is the best one for your needs, so you can read about each in the table below:
NBN 12
NBN 25
NBN 50
NBN 100
NBN 250
NBN 1000
NBN 12
Maximum download speed: 12Mbps
Maximum upload speed: 1Mbps
Also known as Basic I, NBN 12 is the least powerful option available to Australians and, as a result, also the cheapest. With maximum download speeds of 12Mbps and upload speeds of just 1Mbps, plans of this nature are generally more popular among single-person households and very light internet users, such as those checking emails and social media.
NBN 25
Maximum download speed: 25Mbps
Maximum upload speed: 10Mbps
The next step up from the slowest available plan is NBN 25, which is also known as Basic II. This plan comes with double the download speed capacity compared to NBN 12, making it suitable for many small households with a few devices connected simultaneously and for activities like web browsing, email, social media and occasional streaming of standard definition content.
NBN 50
Maximum download speed: 50Mbps
Maximum upload speed: 20Mbps
NBN 50 (Standard) plans are the most popular in Australia, with 58% of the 8.6 million residential broadband connections making use of this speed in 2021, according to the ACCC’s NBN Wholesale Market Indicators Report from December 2021. This plan is often used by those who stream high-definition content, enjoy online gaming and have multiple devices connected at once, as well as households with a mix of entertainment needs.
NBN 100
Maximum download speed: 100Mbps
Maximum upload speed: 20Mbps to 40Mbps
NBN 100 (Fast) was originally the fastest speed tier available through the NBN. It’s capable of reaching maximum download speeds of up to 100Mbps and comes with an upload speed capacity of either 20Mbps or 40Mbps. These plans are popular among heavy internet users, gamers and families with multiple devices engaged in simultaneous streaming, online gaming and large file sharing.
NBN 250
Maximum download speed: 250Mbps
Maximum upload speed: 25Mbps
One of the two additions to the original NBN lineup, NBN 250 (also known as Superfast) more than doubles the potential power of NBN 100 connections. Power users, home offices, small businesses and households with demanding connectivity requirements may all look to this type of connection, although such speeds can only be supported by Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connections at the moment.
NBN 1000
Maximum download speed: 1Gbps
Maximum upload speed: 50Mbps
The most powerful (and expensive) type of NBN plan currently available in Australia is NBN 1000 (Ultrafast). It may be the connection of choice for businesses, creative professionals and heavy users who need lightning-fast upload and download speeds for tasks like large data transfers, video conferencing and server hosting. Like NBN 250, it can only be supported by FTTP and HFC connections.
There are several different types of connection that can be installed under the NBN rollout. While you likely won't have a choice as to which you’ll receive when buying an NBN plan, it’s crucial to understand how each of them works before you select your internet plan. NBN connections can be established via the following methods:
FTTP connections are seen as the most effective type of NBN connection currently available in Australia for internet plans. They’re also the simplest in nature: fibre optic cables, which are specially designed for conducting larger amounts of data and faster internet speeds, are connected directly from your home to an NBN access point in your area.
The most common type of NBN connection in Australia, FTTN utilises not only new fibre optic cables to connect it to the NBN but also existing copper cables previously used for ADSL and phone connections. These connect to a central cabinet or node in your area to establish your NBN connection. The further away from the node you are (and the longer the copper cable in use), the more your internet speeds are likely to degrade.
FTTC connections are also made possible through existing copper lines. However, in this instance, fibre optic cables are installed up to the threshold of the property (usually the end of the driveway) to connect your property to a distribution point on your street, with the remaining connection coming from your copper phone lines. Because of the reduced use of copper cables, FTTC is seen as more reliable and faster than FTTN connections.
FTTB connections are designed for people living in apartment blocks and hotels, particularly those in high-rise dwellings. Also known as Fibre to the Basement connections, these are made through installing a fibre optic cable in the communications room of your building which then connects to the copper cables that run into your apartment or hotel room, with the quality of internet you receive ultimately depending on your building's setup.
HFC is also one of the most powerful types of NBN connection in terms of capable speeds. It utilises existing connections to paid television networks such as Foxtel, as well as other advanced cable networks like Telstra or Optus, to connect users to the NBN. Alongside FTTP, HTC connections are one of the only types of NBN connection capable of powering an NBN 250 or 1000 plan from someone’s home.
Where physical connections aren’t possible, customers may be able to access the NBN via a Fixed Wireless connection. These involve data being transmitted over radio signals from your home to a tower via an outdoor antenna installed on your property. These connections can be made over a distance of up to 14km, with the strength of your internet being impacted by your distance from the tower.
The final connection type available to Australians is via satellite. This is designed specifically for regional homes that may not otherwise be able to connect to the NBN and is made possible through the installation of a satellite dish on the roof of the property and an additional modem. Like Fixed Wireless connections, internet speeds are likely to vary depending on your location.
When researching the best NBN plans, it's crucial to compare a range of offers before you sign on the dotted line. You can do just that with Savvy through our simple online quote form, allowing you to consider a wide variety of deals side-by-side in one place. It's worth considering the following variables when deciding which NBN plan is the best for your needs:
The entire comparison process is free with us, meaning you can use it as many times as you like.
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Internet usage: generally low, checking messages and emails as well as light streaming
Best plan: NBN 12 or 25
Given the internet is only being used by one personand they aren't a heavy user, a slower speed tier plan with a lower data cap may be a suitable option for their needs. This can potentially help them save money on speeds which may go to waste.
Internet usage: medium, fairly regular streaming for movies and TV
Best plan: NBN 25 or 50
In situations where the overall internet usage is moderate and only one to two people are using it, NBN 25 could suffice, although you and your partner or housemate's preferences when it comes to speed could see you opt for an NBN 50 plan instead.
Internet usage: medium to high, regular streaming for movies and TV on top of frequent YouTube streaming and mobile gaming
Best plan: NBN 50 or 100
If you’re parents who enjoy streaming movies and TV and have young children who watch plenty of YouTube or other shows, NBN 50 plans are among the most popular in your situation.
Internet usage: high, frequent movie, TV and video streaming, gaming and video conferencing while working from home
Best plan: NBN 100 or 250
Internet plans become particularly relevant when parents are working from home. The need for your connection to perform for video conferences and download files, on top of heavy usage from you kids, is crucial, so high performance plans may be your friend.
Disclaimer:
Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of internet plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys an internet plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.
Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an internet plan. For further information on the variety of internet plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.
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