Best Internet and phone bundle plans in Australia

In Australia, Internet and phone bundles offer customers a convenient and cost-effective way to access reliable broadband connections and quality home phone services.

You may not realise it, but you do not have to have a landline phone to be able to use the Internet and you don't need a handset to have a home phone, either. 

Voice over Internet protocol is the newest thing when it comes to a home phone, and there are providers out there who will bundle these options for you.

VoIP vs landline: What’s the difference?

A home phone line that uses VoIP technology is in many ways similar to landline phones you are probably more familiar with. Many Internet providers that offer this service may even let you keep your old handset or number when you switch over to VoIP on the NBN.

However, whereas landline phones send voice communications over copper wires, VoIP makes and receives calls over the Internet. This type of home phone service supports both traditional voice calling and video calling, and offers many benefits that give it the edge over landlines.

VoIP services are cheaper than traditional landlines. It’s because instead of paying separately for line rental, you can just use the Internet you most likely already have in your home. Some Internet providers also offer home phone services as a plan, inclusive of unlimited calls at competitive rates. 

Other than voice calls, most VoIP devices are also able to send and receive faxes, text messages, instant messaging, web browsing, and video streaming. 

What’s included in a bundle?

Many home phone plans offered in Australia include unlimited standard international SMS and at least 30 minutes per month of standard international calls.

When you have consumed your included calls, you can add an international calling pack to get additional call minutes to selected countries. Call packs cost an additional $10 per month on average.

Overall, the following are the usual inclusions in a home phone and broadband bundle:

• An NBN connection with your preferred speed

• Unlimited data

• Call packs with unlimited calls to standard phones in Australia

• Optional discounted rates for overseas calls

• A home phone number for your phone line or the option to transfer an old one across

Other advantages of keeping a home phone line are that it guarantees better call quality than any mobile phone, especially with long-distance and international calls. It is also sometimes required with home security systems as a backup to contact your security company.

While they rely on power, some VoIP connections have a battery back-up in case of a power outage. It means you can still contact family members or call emergency services.

Having two services bundled into one means consolidating your bills into one payment. But potentially a more convincing reason to bundle your phone and Internet services is the option to customise your plan and pay for only the services you need and the services you use.

Does every provider offer bundles?

Many ISPs have expanded their services in the past few years to offer bundles with their broadband services. These home phone bundles and entertainment add-ons have become important parameters when comparing plans.

As the bundle market gets more competitive, even the biggest Internet providers in Australia are getting more creative with their Internet plans. Some offer discounts and add-ons to customers who sign up for their Internet bundles while some others, like Dodo, go even further by letting you bundle your electricity and gas to your Internet plan or Exetel which entices customers with a free 2-month Home Secure trial.

These bundled services are usually cheaper than standalone plans - a key selling point that should encourage customers to subscribe to multiple services from the same provider. But are they actually a good deal?

A good Internet bundle should have the Internet speed and data allowance you require, plus the entertainment you want for a cheaper price. Internet providers may also throw in bonuses like unlimited data or free equipment add-ons or upgrades.

The key is to find a plan that best matches your lifestyle at a price you are willing to pay from a provider that has a well-established reputation for delivering reliable performance and great customer service.

NBN bundle plans and providers

Exetel, Harbour ISP, Uniti, Optus, Telstra, and TPG offer some of the best-rated NBN plans in Australia with optional add-ons or bundles such as entertainment, energy, or cyber security.

Below is a selection of NBN plans and bundles, highly rated for their speed, reliability, customer service, value for money, ease of setup, and inclusions.

Exetel

While Exetel has no bundled-in entertainment options as of this writing, it does offer NBN plans in six different speed tiers, all inclusive of a free 2-month Home Secure trial. It also offers VoIP home phone calling packs as an optional add-on.

We are currently not offering Exetel plans, but please call us on 1300 764 000 to discuss alternative options.

Optus

Optus is a consistent top performer in the ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia reports with high customer satisfaction ratings for its consistent and reliable Internet speeds. But while you do pay a premium for these speeds, Optus compensates for it by offering plenty of perks and bonuses.

Telstra

Telstra is one of the leading NBN providers in Australia with plenty of entertainment options to bundle with your broadband plan. It used to include its Telstra TV streaming device as standard. But today adding it to your plan is optional for an additional $9 per month.

Telstra TV offers easy access to on-demand movies and shows on Netflix, Stan, Foxtel Now, and more, as well as new releases via Telstra TV Box Office.

TPG

TPG is another broadband provider that consistently receives high ratings in the ACCC broadband speed testing program. It offers straightforward NBN plans across a comprehensive range of technologies with top speeds, unlimited data, and $0 set-up fees or no lock-in contracts. 

The provider previously bundled IPTV extras with its broadband plans, but as of this writing, it doesn’t offer any bundled-in entertainment options for new customers. 

Can I get a call pack with my NBN plan?

Most NBN plans today support VoIP technology, which means you can make and receive calls from anywhere using any device connected to the Internet instead of a traditional landline.

NBN providers including Telstra, Optus, and TPG offer a home phone line and call packages as an optional add-on service to your NBN plan. Call packs usually cost an additional $10 per month, which you can add to your broadband plan upon signing up or your existing plan if it is not already included.

Telstra’s call packs start at $10 per month, which includes 30 minutes per month of standard international calls from Australia to all countries.

What should I know before I commit?

Before signing up for any Internet bundle, consider your home phone needs. If you are making international and national calls regularly, some providers offer standalone home phone services which might be a better and more affordable option.

While bundling schemes can save you more money than paying the regular price for each service, think about how you are going to use the services included in the bundle. Are you looking for flexibility? Consider whether you are allowed to scale your Internet as necessary with your provider.

Some providers will require you to sign a contract to get the promotional price. With this in mind, you will want to compare home phone and Internet plan offerings from different internet providers to see which offers the best fit for your situation.

How to choose the best Internet and phone bundle plans

Internet plans are never one-size-fits-all. Households have different requirements for speed and factors to consider in their choice. So, assess what you need from your Internet bundle. Do you need faster Internet speeds, a large data allowance, a home phone connection, or access to particular TV channels or streaming services?

Once you have identified those factors, research providers and plans that offer them. Compare Broadband is a great resource for this. We maintain an extensive database of Internet plans and bundles from different providers where you can check what is available in your area and compare them based on pricing, features, reliability, and customer reviews.

We make it easy for you to compare Internet bundles side-by-side to see which ones offer the best value for money. We take into account the total cost, including any setup or installation fees, and keep an eye out for any special deals or discounts for more value for money.

Is it worth getting a home phone bundle?

It is always wonderful to score a great deal, but as attractive as bundles are, bundles are only worth the price if you will use the services you get.

For example, you could sign up for an Internet plan with a home phone service and access to over 100 channels. But if you prefer Netflix over cable, you could be paying for a service you rarely use or may not even want. ISPs intentionally make each bundle too good to pass up.

Each upgrade costs a little more but gives you substantially more than what you pay for (e.g. more data speeds, free equipment, more features, etc.). But again, if you will not use the bundled services you are paying for, then it may just not be worth getting a home phone bundle.

Compare Internet and phone bundles with Compare Broadband

Bundling your Internet with a home phone service can be a great way to get more value for your money. With a little research, you can find the best internet and phone bundle for your needs.

Compare Broadband is a trusted resource for the best internet and phone bundle deals in Australia. We rank our picks based on who offers greater savings based on their pricing and perks included in their bundles. The bigger the discount and the more inclusions, the better. We also think about other factors like the number of bundle options providers offer to consumers.

If you’re still not sure about how to choose a broadband provider, call us on 1300 764 000 today for more.