nbn® wholesale price changes from July 1 explained

nbn® wholesale price changes from 1 July

Australians may soon notice changes to their broadband prices. The nbn® has announced new wholesale pricing updates for the set to take effect from 1 July 2026. 

The changes happening behind the scenes play a key role in determining how much households and businesses end up paying for their broadband plans. This is due to internet providers purchasing access to the network at wholesale rates. From here, they set their own retail pricing for customers.

What’s changing from 1 July 2026

The latest update introduces modest increases across most fixed-line nbn® speed tiers. The adjustments are generally small, with most plans seeing only minor monthly changes.

Higher-speed tiers are expected to experience slightly larger increases. However, some lower and mid-range plans may see minimal movement. The cost changes are something to pay attention to in the midst of a global cost of living crisis. Business-grade services will also be adjusted in line with the broader pricing structure.

These updates are part of an annual pricing review. This means that they follow a predictable pattern rather than being a one-off change.

Telstra changes

Telstra has confirmed price changes across a number of its home and small business nbn® plans from 1 July 2026. Most affected customers can expect monthly increases of around $4 to $5, while some higher-speed plans will remain at their current pricing.

The changes mainly impact lower and mid-tier nbn® plans, including nbn® 12, 25, and 50 options. However, several premium fibre plans, including nbn® 100, 500, 750, and 1000 tiers, will stay the same price. Telstra says this is designed to support customers moving to faster fibre connections as more homes become eligible for upgrades.

Telstra’s Premium 5G Home Internet plan will also increase by $10 per month. At the same time, some lower-cost 5G plans will remain unchanged.

According to Telstra, the changes reflect rising wholesale costs and growing demand on Australia’s broadband networks. The provider also pointed to continued investment in network performance, customer support, and digital services.

Customers impacted by the changes will be contacted directly by Telstra before the updates take effect.

Optus changes

Optus has announced pricing changes across some of its nbn® plans following updated wholesale costs from nbn® co. The changes are expected to mainly affect slower-speed tiers from July 2026, continuing a broader industry trend of rising prices on entry-level broadband plans.

At the same time, Optus is offering a range of EOFY promotions across selected nbn® and home wireless plans. Many of these deals include discounted pricing for the first 12 months, giving customers the opportunity to upgrade to faster speeds at a more competitive price.

Optus noted that the price gap between slower and faster speed tiers has continued to narrow. In some cases, nbn® 100 and nbn® 500 plans are now similarly priced, making higher-speed options more appealing for households with greater streaming, gaming, or work-from-home demands.

The provider also highlighted the importance of checking your nbn® connection type, as fibre-based connections such as FTTP and HFC can generally access faster speed tiers more easily than older connection types.

With further fibre upgrades planned across the nbn® network from 2027 onwards, Optus says now may be a good time for customers to review whether their current internet plan still suits their needs.

Belong changes

Belong has confirmed that pricing on selected nbn® plans will increase from 1 July 2026.

According to Belong, the changes are linked to rising data usage and increasing wholesale costs from nbn® co. The company says the updated pricing will help support ongoing investment in its network, products, and services.

Customers affected by the changes will receive at least 30 days’ notice by email or text before the new pricing takes effect. Belong also confirmed that no other plan features will change alongside the increase.

Customers who no longer feel their current plan suits their needs can switch to another Belong plan or cancel their service without additional fees. The provider also continues to offer payment assistance options for customers experiencing financial difficulty.

Dodo changes

Dodo has confirmed that some of its nbn® plans will increase in price, too. The provider says the changes are tied to rising wholesale costs and the growing expense of maintaining reliable internet services.

The increases mainly affect lower and mid-tier plans, with nbn® 25 and nbn® 50 plans rising by $2 per month. Higher-speed plans, including nbn® 100, nbn® 500, Home Superfast, and Home Ultrafast, will stay at their current prices.

Customers impacted by the changes will receive at least 30 days’ notice before the new pricing kicks in. Dodo will also publish details about the updates on its website in the lead-up to July.

For some customers who sign up before the price changes begin, Dodo says it may apply a credit to help offset the increase on a future bill.

Why wholesale prices are going up

The pricing changes are linked to inflation and the ongoing cost of maintaining and upgrading Australia’s broadband infrastructure. Providers may pass these new costs to customers. It is smart to prepare for possible changes to your internet bill.

As demand for faster speeds and higher data usage continues to grow, investment in network capacity, performance, and reliability becomes increasingly important. The pricing model aims to balance affordability for consumers with the need to support these improvements.

This approach ensures that the network keeps up with modern digital needs. More people than ever are working remotely and streaming, so the demand is growing.

How it could affect your monthly bill

It’s important to understand that wholesale price changes don’t automatically translate into identical increases on your bill. You may not have to worry about it at all, especially if your current provider doesn’t pass down those costs.

Each internet provider decides how to respond. Some may absorb part of the increase to remain competitive, while others may pass it on to customers. In some cases, providers may even restructure plans or offer promotions to attract new users.

The impact on households can vary significantly depending on the provider and the plan you’re on. It’s smart to get ahead of it and see whether or not you could find a better plan that’s better on your budget.

Competition could work in your favour

Despite wholesale increases, Australia’s broadband market remains highly competitive. Providers are constantly adjusting pricing, inclusions, and speed offerings to win customers.

This means that even if your current plan becomes more expensive, there may be better-value options available elsewhere. In some cases, customers can upgrade to faster speeds for a similar price simply by switching providers.

That makes periods of pricing change one of the best times to reassess your broadband deal.

Why now is a good time to compare plans

Now is the right time to review your current internet plan and check whether it still meets your needs and budget. Brand loyalty isn’t something to prioritise when your provider may put your price up. You might also find a much better plan with the same provider that is more cost effective.

You might be paying for speeds you don’t use, or missing out on better deals available in the market. Comparing plans can help you find options with better value, improved performance, or more suitable features for your household.

Exploring options through Compare Broadband can make this process easier, giving you access to a wide range of providers and plans in one place.

Fibre to the premises (FTTP)

The nbn® recently announced a Targeted Initiative to move fibre to the node and fibre to the curb connections to FTTP. This will roll out in July 2027, and customers won’t need to upgrade to a higher speed to qualify.

The goal with this initiative is to reduce reliance on expensive aging copper and improve the network’s reliability. By the end of 2026, over 600,000 homes on an FTTC connection type are expected to be eligible for the changeover.

Take action and stay ahead of price changes

Even small increases can add up over time, especially as household budgets continue to tighten. Taking a few minutes to review your broadband plan now could lead to savings.

If you’d prefer expert help, you can speak directly with the team at Compare Broadband to find a plan that suits your needs.

Call 1300 764 000 today to compare nbn® plans and make sure you’re not paying more than you need to.