Check internet availability in my area, compare plans

What is NBN?

The National Broadband Network (NBN) is an Australian national wholesale open-access data network. The company aims to replace the old copper wires and cable broadband with optical fibre providing Aussies with faster, more reliable, high-capacity internet.

The NBNCo. is responsible for providing Internet Service Providers (ISPs) access to the data network, and these ISPs offer retail service and sell internet to end-users. Click here to find the best and cheapest NBN plans and deals.

How do I access the NBN?

NBN can be accessed through subscription with any of the Internet Service Providers.  They offer different kinds of internet plans to suit different budgets and needs.  But first, you have to check whether your address has NBN and the type of connection available in your vicinity.  Knowing your NBN connection helps you find the right plan and ISP for your needs.  

There are four types of NBN fibre connections where your home can connect to depending on the technology that was rolled out in your area:

1. Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP) – Also known as Fibre-to-the-Home, this type of connection is the best as the optical fibre is connected directly to your home, giving you the fastest broadband connection. However, this connection type is costly to pursue, and the government has backed down on its mass rollout. So if you wish to have this type of connection, make sure you are willing to shoulder the installation costs.
2. Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN) – FTTN is the most common or default type of connection. The connection runs from a central connection (the node) to your home along a traditional copper telephone wire. The nodes are located at the end of the street. Since it is cheaper, NBN Co. was able to roll this out quicker. However, its performance may not be as stable as FTTP since many users are sharing the same node, especially during peak hours.
3. Fibre-to-the-Building (FTTB) – This type of connection is used for apartments or office blocks. The fibre runs through a central location in the building to multiple users.
4. Fibre-to-the-Curb (FTTC) – FTTC offers a better connection than FTTN since the connection is closer to your home. The fibre optic cable is run to a street pit at a distance that’s closest to your premises. It is also known as Fibre-to-the-Driveway.

Who has the cheapest WiFi plan?

If you’re the type who is interested in saving money more than download speeds, then here are the cheapest internet plan options available in the market today:

1. Spintel - $39 per month for the first 6 months.  Unlimited internet with 12Mbps evening speed.  No lock-in contract.
2. Tangerine - $44.90 per month for the first 6 months.  Unlimited internet with 25Mbps evening speed.  No lock-in contract.
3. Spintel - $54 per month for the first 6 months.  Unlimited internet with 50Mbps evening speed.  No contract terms.
4. Spintel - $69 per month for the first 6months.  Unlimited internet with 100Mbps evening speed. No contract terms.
5. Mate’s elite - $99 per month. Unlimited data with NBN Superfast 250Mbps evening speed.  No contract term. Available to select FTTP customers.

What are the best unlimited internet plans?

Finding the best unlimited internet plans can be intimidating, especially with the hundreds of offers and deals available in the market today. The good news is that we can help you! We’ve analysed, reviewed, and fact-checked hundreds of plans from different providers, making comparing broadbands hassle-free for you.

To find the best unlimited internet plan for your home, ask yourself these questions: “how many devices will be connected to your network?”; “what are your online activities?”; and “how much is your budget?”.  Learning how many devices and how you use the internet can help you find the right plan that suits your budget.

What Internet is available in my area?

To have a good idea of the internet technology and plans available in your area, you can explore online sources.

Here at Compare Broadband, our goal is to simplify the ins and outs of plans and providers, so you can get all the broadband info you need, clear and fast. If you want to jump right in, use our free broadband algorithm to find a list of plans & providers based on your address, budget, and data requirements.

Simply enter your postcode into the white box above and click “Search Plans”. If you don’t have the time, or (ironically) the broadband capacities to do that, give us a call on 1300 106 571 and one of our friendly broadband consultants can tell you the best internet plans available to your home address.

What is the fastest internet in my area?

Rest assured that the ISPs we provide for you when you enter your postcode above or when you get in touch with us are known for their fast internet speed offering. Nevertheless, if you want to see for yourself which internet plan is fastest in your area, what you can do is to visit the Fastest NBN Plans page and enter your postcode or suburb into the search bar. The page will then show you the list of high-speed internet plans under the NBN 100 speed tier. You also have the option to choose much faster plans, such as NBN 250 and NBN 1000. Just update the speed download/upload filter on the tool.

How do I find the best Internet provider in my area?

There are many different types of broadband connections available around Australia, including the NBN, ADSL2+, Cable, Mobile Broadband, and Home Wireless. Most of the major Internet Service Providers (also known as ISPs) will cater to many different types of internet connections. If you’d first like to learn more about Australian broadband options and peruse through our handpicked selection of plans, you can visit the following pages: Compare NBN Plans, Best Wireless Broadband Plans, and Best Home WiFi Plans.

How do I get NBN installed in my area?

Before getting NBN installed in your area, you first need to check its availability. In this case, you can visit www.nbnco.com.au where you simply need to enter your address in the check your address tool. From there, you will be informed whether you can connect to NBN, as well as what type of NBN connection technology is available in your area. Depending on the results, you can then get in touch with the provider of your choice.

How do I check the internet speed in my area?

There are several online sources that you can refer to when it comes to checking the internet speed in your area. But before you can test speed, you must first know what NBN speed you are paying for. When you connect to your internet, access speed test sites like speedtest.net or fast.com and allow about half a minute for the speed test to run. Compare the results with what you are paying for and you will have an idea whether you are getting the right internet speed in your area.