Cheapest NBN plans and deals

How does the NBN work?

The NBN - which stands for National Broadband Network - is a countrywide operation designed and implemented to upgrade Australia's internet infrastructure by replacing our old copper line network with a fibre optic cable network. Contrary to popular misconception, there is no one set NBN speed, nor is there one set NBN supplier. The NBN is a wholesale data network project that is built and operated by a government corporation that is appropriately titled the NBN Co. It is the NBN Co who distribute the service out to internet service providers (often referred to as ISPs), who in turn offer the NBN service to customers. At this point, there are different NBN deals to choose from that range in speed, in data, and of course, in cost.

Which NBN ISP is the best value for money?

Before you can even think about choosing an NBN internet service provider, you have to know which ones service your area, and what connection type you have. Otherwise you’ll just be frustrated at not being able to choose the plan you want, let alone choose the ISP you want. You’ll also want to decide if you’re just after an internet connection, or if you’re looking to bundle something else with your plan.

That said, there are several ISPs that consistently deliver good value for money, regardless of your chosen plan. If you’re looking for speed, then TPG comes out on top, followed by Optus. If you want great customer service, Aussie Broadband is hard to beat. As for ISPs that offer the best perks and features for any plan, you’d be better off choosing Telstra or Optus.

What are the Cheapest Unlimited NBN Plans?

You have several choices when it comes to the cheapest unlimited NBN plans, and what you ultimately choose would depend on the speed you’re looking for. Tangerine comes out on the top of the list, charging users just $44.90 a month for internet speeds of 25Mbps. Plans with internet speeds of 50Mbps cost $54.90, so you get twice the internet speed for just $10 more.

Harbour ISP is a serious contender, too; their plan with speeds of 50Mbps costs $49 a month. If you’re looking for other options for plans at that speed tier, you may want to consider signing up with MyRepublic for $65 per month.

What are the cheapest NBN bundle plans?

If you don’t need really fast internet and don’t see yourself needing a lot of data each month, then TPG is the cheapest bundle plan. At $29.99 a month, you get both internet access with speeds of 12Mbps and a home phone, although you’ll have a limit of 10GB each month. If you need a little more speed and more data monthly, iPrimus offers a similar bundle plan (broadband and home phone) but with 250GB of data and speeds of 25Mbps, all for $65 a month.

If you need unlimited data, Tangerine is another great ISP, and they offer a broadband-and-home phone bundle for $54.90 a month, with speeds of 25Mbps. For those who need really fast internet alongside unlimited data, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better deal than MyRepublic’s plan. For $70 a month, you get internet speeds of up to 100Mbps and a home phone.

Should I sign up to a Cheap NBN Plan?

It’s really up to you. As you can see above, there are several factors to choosing a cheap NBN plan, and it depends heavily on what you consider good value for money, since “cheap” doesn’t always mean low cost. Maybe it would mean cutting back on the features you want to choose so you can get the internet speeds you want, or the unlimited data your household needs. So before choosing an ISP to sign up with and the plan you’ll go for, don’t forget to pinpoint what your internet needs really are.

When will the NBN be completed in my area?

NBN rollout has been completed but there's still work to be done. Until then, the geographical difference between a home with active NBN service and home without might be as slight as one street. To find out if your home is NBN ready, enter your address into our free NBN rollout map. Be sure to enter your full and accurate address for full and accurate results. If your home has not yet been upgraded to the NBN, our map will tell you roughly what month you can expect your upgrade to be completed, as well as what kind of NBN connection has been designated to your area.

Can I keep my ADSL2+ service?

No, at least not in the long run. The NBN was designed to eventually phase out ADSL2+ (as well as older forms of ADSL), and as such, once an area has been fully upgraded to the NBN, the ADLS connections in that area are permanently deactivated. You should be given sufficient notice before you ADSL connection is cut off; if you are a current ADSL customer and you have not been given notice of your cut off date, you should call your ADSL broadband provider as soon as you can, so that you can have sufficient time to arrange an alternative form of home internet connection before your ADSL cut off date.

Do I have to stay with the same NBN provider?

No, not at all. You are obviously required to stay with the same provider for as long as your contract legally requires you to, but after that, you can sign with any NBN provider that you wish to. You can also often leave a contract with a broadband provider, though you will usually incur a charge while doing so. This is why many people favour the freedom of plans that are Month to Month plans (also known as No Contract Plans). But if your priority is saving money, keep in mind that contract plans (which are usually 12 month contracts or 24 month contract) are typically cheaper because the providers prefer that you stay with them as long as possible. As such, providers will often aim to entice customers by offering contract plans that have cheaper monthly costs than month to Month plans. They will also often throw in other bonuses, such waived or reduced set-up fees, and/or free modems (a modem on a Month to Month plan may cost anywhere between $50 and $400).

Do I have to get the NBN?

No, but depending on your location, it might be the best (if only) available home broadband option, especially if the ADSL connections have already been disconnected in your area. But while the NBN is one of the more prevalent home broadband options (at the time of writing), it’s not your only choice, especially with the emergence of 5G cellular network technology which will also be more mainstream by the end of 2020.

How do I compare all the different NBN plans?

Very easily! You can either compare NBN providers & plans here, or if you would prefer to speak to a human, you give one of our trusty broadband consultants a call on 1300 106 571 for some free advice on the NBN (or on any other kind of home internet, for that matter). Compare Broadband is a free internet comparison service for everyone in Australia, and we’re independently rated 5 stars by our customers with a Trust Pilot score of 4.8 out of 5 based on over 1,800 reviews. You can also use our free online broadband search engine, or follow us on Facebook for internet guides and home broadband news.