NBN 12 plans and deals

Want an NBN plan that won't break the bank? The NBN 12 plan might be for you!

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Looking for an affordable NBN option? Consider the NBN 12 plan, also known as the Basic Evening Speed Plan. It's the most budget-friendly among the NBN speed tiers, providing a maximum download speed of 12 Mbps, similar to your old ADSL plan's performance. 

If you're a light Internet user aiming to save on bills, the NBN 12 plan could be a good fit for you. Compare various NBN plans and providers here.


Last updated 28/12/2023
TPG broadband provider logo
Broadband + Home Phone
Unlimited
12 Mbps Typical Evening Speed
Month to month
$69.99/Month
Min total cost $69.99
View breakdown

Results explained

Compare Broadband cannot guarantee that all plans or providers shown will be available at your property address. Connection and plan availability will need to be confirmed by the internet service provider. Additional charges may apply for non-standard connections.

NBN 12, also known as Basic Evening speed, represents the starting point on the National Broadband Network. It caters to small households and light Internet users engaged in basic online activities. Offering speeds comparable to ADSL2+, the NBN 12 plan is suitable for fundamental tasks like web browsing and email.

Key features of the Basic NBN plan:

  • Download speeds up to 12Mbps, enough for one Standard Definition stream and light browsing.
  • Upload speeds reach up to 1Mbps.
  • Download speeds handle incoming traffic, such as video downloads, browsing, and email retrieval. Uploads involve sending content to the Internet, like photos to social media and YouTube videos.

While NBN 12 suits basic usage, it may not be fast enough for heavy streaming, remote work, or extensive online activities.

Who should consider NBN 12 plans?

NBN 12 plans provide download speeds of 12Mbps and upload speeds of 1Mbps. These plans are most suitable for single-person households, occasional users who don't use the Internet extensively, or those with a very limited budget.

Interestingly, we've discovered that customers can access affordable NBN plans from the NBN 25 speed tier at a lower cost than some NBN 12 plans.

Is NBN 12 fast enough?

NBN 12 plans belong to the lowest NBN speed tier, but they are still effective, especially for light users. NBN 12 is suitable for streaming content on one screen at a time in High Definition (HD) quality, given its average speeds of around 10-12Mbps.

However, NBN 12 may not be the best choice if you:

  • Work from home
  • Engage in heavy Internet browsing
  • Frequently have guests connecting to your network
  • Need to regularly upload or download large amounts of content

For online gaming, NBN 25 is the minimum recommended speed tier, so it's advisable to consider the next speed tier beyond NBN 12.

NBN speed tiers download speed comparison

Internet Activity NBN12 NBN 25 NBN50 NBN100 NBN250 NBN1000

Music Download (100MB)

1 min

35 secs

16 sec

8 sec

3 sec

1 sec

Downloading Game (50Gb)

10 hours

5 hours

2 hrs, 20 mins

1 hr, 10 mins

29 mins

7 mins

HD movie streaming

1 hour

30 mins

3 mins

1.5 mins

34 sec

42 sec

What NBN plan should I choose?

Choosing the right NBN plan involves finding the ideal balance of data and speed that suits your needs and budget. While cost is crucial, it's not the only factor to consider.

Opting for the cheapest plans might not be wise if your household is active online or has multiple users. Seeking the most affordable NBN deals might force you to compromise on either speed or data. You'll need to choose between unlimited plans at lower speeds or super-fast plans with data limits.

Instead of always going for the lowest-cost plans, focus on ones that offer the best value for your money. Saving on Internet bills may involve giving up a feature or two.

Take advantage of sign-up deals to maximise value. Many providers offer no-contract plans with initial discounts, allowing you to pay a lower monthly price for the first few months. Seize this opportunity to get the Internet plan with the right speed and data limit for your needs before considering a switch.

Popular NBN 12 plans

TPG broadband provider logo
Basic (nbn12) TPG SL Bundle
$69 .99/ mth
Min total cost $69.99

Compare NBN plans

Selecting an NBN plan may seem overwhelming, but it doesn't need to be. Start by assessing your needs, especially during peak usage times, to find the right plan. While the NBN 12 Basic speed tier may seem appealing, consider if the limited bandwidth meets your requirements.

Although plans in this speed tier look attractive, you might discover better options elsewhere. If you're a light user or have a smaller household, this tier may be sufficient. However, if multiple users are streaming simultaneously, you might need a plan with more capacity. The NBN 25 plan is the next level, followed by NBN 50 and NBN 100.

FAQs

What is the difference between NBN 12 and NBN 25?

NBN 12 and NBN 25 are the slowest speed options, with NBN 12 serving as the entry-level tier similar to old ADSL connections. These basic NBN plans provide download speeds of up to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 1 Mbps. In contrast, NBN 25 plans offer faster speeds, with download speeds up to 25 Mbps and upload speeds up to 5 Mbps. The speed difference between the two is quite noticeable.

Is 12 Mbps enough for Netflix?

Yes, 12 Mbps is sufficient to let you stream for Netflix, especially when you’re the only one using the connection. You can even watch the film in high definition. The common Netflix connection recommendations are 3Mbps for DVD quality, 7Mbps for super HD, and 12 Mbps. So, for 12Mbps, Netflix and chill can happen.

How to compare NBN plans with Compare Broadband?

Need more help choosing an NBN plan? Get in touch with us. Compare Broadband is a free service to all Australian homes, 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.

How many devices can 12 Mbps support?

An internet plan at the NBN 12 speed tier (also known as NBN Basic) can reliably support up to two devices, as long as they’re engaged in activities that don’t call for heavy internet usage. That said, NBN 12 plans are good for households of 1 to 2 people. In other words, if your household has more members, you’ll have to make sure you’re not all online at the same time, or you’ll all find yourselves with even slower internet speeds to work with.

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The government is making 1.5 million Australian homes and businesses eligible for a speed upgrade to FTTP (Fibre to the Premises), which offers greater speed and reliability. Selected towns and suburbs with FTTC and FTTN are eligible for the upgrade with an eligible high speed nbn plan.

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