NBN 12 plans and deals

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

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

Basic (nbn12) TPG SL Bundle

• Unlimited
• 12/1 Mbps

$69 .99/ mth

Min total cost $69.99

View breakdown

1300 731 193

Email Plan

Basic (nbn12) TPG SL Bundle

• Unlimited
• 12/1 Mbps

$69 .99/ mth

Min total cost $69.99

View breakdown

1300 731 193

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.