What is the Best deal with no Contract for 20-30GB (no bundling)?

Hi Yogesh,

First, let's establish what you mean by 'no bundling'. I think a lot of people take this to mean "I don't want a phone line included", which is a very (VERY) popular sentiment, but one that misses the point of how your internet is provided.

If you're seeking a connection with 20 or 30 GB, you will most likely need to get ADSL2+, which is broadband provided over a standard copper telephone line. This is the most widely available and competitive variety of broadband available. Mobile Broadband (which uses either the Optus, Telstra or Vodafone network to provide a connection) rarely provides plans with more than 12 or 15GB, and is overall slower and more expensive.

Another option is cable, which is not widely available, and only provided by Optus (1300 137 897) or Telstra. You can try them, but you'll usually find it's not available. And because only two companies can provide it, there's less competition and it's more expensive.

So, let's assume you mean ADSL2+. Now, the real connection to the Internet Service Provider (ISP) of your choice is not in your home - it's at your local telephone exchange. Internode, TPG, Optus, iPrimus - they all connect their network equipment to your local telephone exchange. For you to connect to their network, you have to use a Telstra Telephone Line to link your home to the exchange. This is known as Line Rental.

Those ISPs will pay Telstra about $25 a month, just to provide this last connection between your home and their network. Once adjusted for retail, that will usually cost you about $30.

So remember: Line Rental is not what you pay to have a telephone service. Line Rental is what you pay to establish a connection between your home, and the ISP of your choice. You're provided with a telephone service for a different, but very obvious reason: they want you to use it. If you don't use it, then that's fine - you're not paying for something you don't use, you're paying for something that you do use (the copper line), and just not using an additional service that you're provided with (your home phone).YOU MUST PAY LINE RENTAL ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

Now, you do have the option of paying your line rental to one company, and your broadband service to another. THIS is what it means to 'not bundle'. Because your line literally has to be split between two different pieces of equipment, it's harder for that provider to pull off, and usually more expensive. Let's look at an example with TPG.

Line Rental (Directly paid to Telstra) - $31.95

50GB Broadband through TPG (25GB peak and 25 GB off-peak) - $30

Total out of pocket - $61.95 a month.

Now, if you decide to pay TPG directly for line rental, they can a) plug both of your wires into their equipment and b) make a bit of extra cash off you. Because you're making life easier for them, they can offer big savings.

TPG Bundled line rental - $30

TPG Bundled 100GB plan (50GB peak and 50GB off peak) - $20

total out of pocket - $50 a month

Not only do you save money - you also get twice as much data!

But that's TPG, and that's a case specific to TPG, Optus, iPrimus, iiNet and Internode. That's because these providers have their own equipment you plug into. Other providers, like Dodo in particular, usually rent a port from either Telstra or Optus, and have no eqipment of their own. That means they can offer their broadband price as the same, regardless of who you pay line rental too. THAT'S WHAT 'NO BUNDLING' MEANS. It doesn't mean that you don't have to pay line rental - it means that your broadband price will be the same, whether you pay your line rental through them, or through someone else.

Dodo's current offer of $39.90 for Unlimited broadband, unbundled, is very good. But it requires that you otherwise have an active phone line, with a minimum line rental of $22.95 with Telstra. So really, for most people, this means a total price, between two separate providers, of $62.95. TPG's Unlimited Bundle, at $60 total, is cheaper.

There are situations where you might want to keep the two charges separate. This could be if you're living with your parents - they may want to keep their phone with Telstra, and not use the internet at all. So you could get yourself an internet connection on their phone line, meaning you're only paying for the internet while they pay line rental. Or you might keep your phone line with Telstra specifically because you prefer their call rates and customer service, and take up internet with someone else who offers a shorter contract.

So to answer your original question, here's the best UNBUNDLED plans we can find for 20 to 30GB a month:

TPG (1300 106 571) - Standalone ADSL2+ - $29.95 a month, 25GB peak + 25Gb off peak

Dodo (1300 136 793) - Standalone ADSL2+ - $34.90 a month, 50GB peak, 50GB off peak

iPrimus (1300 137 794) - Standalone ADSL2+ $39.99 a month, 50GB peak + 50GB off peak

If you need more assistance finding the best plan, please call us.

Thanks,

Adam at Compare Broadband

1300 106 571