OptiComm vs NBN: What's the Difference?
Though NBN seems like the next big thing in Australia’s internet services, OptiComm is slowly making a name in the market
-
1300 756 460 -
1300 434 427 -
1300 652 369 -
1300 730 863 -
1300 790 125 -
1300 731 193 -
1300 729 605 -
1300 060 722 -
1300 767 058 -
1300 041 278
At this point, NBN is the best choice when it comes to internet services in Australia - or it seems that way. OptiComm is also gaining quite a reputation in the same market, however.
At first glance, there’s not too much to differentiate the two besides their target market. The NBN is Australia’s national broadband network that’s replaced copper wiring and cable broadband with optical fibre to deliver reliable and high-capacity internet to the whole country, whether for residences or businesses. On the other hand, OptiComm is a private network wholesaler focusing mainly on housing estates throughout Australia.
OptiComm Internet Plans
Before we go on, it’s important to remember that all Australians should be able to access the best possible internet service that fits their needs and budget. However, finding the perfect plan can take some time and calls for a bit of effort. After all, there are many options to choose from. So if you’ve already made the switch to the NBN, is staying with it a good idea, or is OptiComm a better option for you?
What is OptiComm?
OptiComm currently stands as one of the biggest and most popular alternatives to the National Broadband Network, or NBN. As mentioned earlier, it’s a privately owned internet service provider that, like networks such as Clear Broadband, Australia Broadband, and Goodtel, provide Fibre to the Premises connections.
Their focus is on residential addresses, and generally, OptiComm has the resources to build, operate, and maintain its own fixed-line networks within the country. This company can opt to sell its internet services to telcos such as Optus, iiNET, and Aussie Broadband, just as the NBN does. In fact, both OptiComm plans and NBN plans are available to consumers.
Best OptiComm Internet Providers
There are many reasons why you might want to get OptiComm instead of NBN. If you want to know more about this alternative, we’ve compiled a list of the best service providers forOptiComm internet in Australia.
Aussie Broadband: One of the Best NBN Alternatives in Australia
If you’re looking for an OptiComm provider that can give you a great value for your money, Aussie Broadband is a great option. They are one of the most popular telcos in the country, thanks to their fast and reliable speeds, as well as their affordable prices.
Aussie Broadband offers a wide variety of plans that come with different speed options, so you can choose the perfect one for your needs. You can also add extras such as home phone lines and static IP addresses to your plan.
Harbour ISP: A Great Option for Those Who Want Value for Money
Harbour ISP is another great provider of OptiComm internet in Australia. They offer a wide variety of plans that come with different speed options, so you can choose the perfect one for your needs. You can also add extras such as home phone lines and static IP addresses to your plan.
Exetel: A Worthwhile Option for Those Looking for Affordable Plans
Exetel is a great option for those who are looking for affordable OptiComm plans. They offer a variety of plans that come with different speed options, so you can choose the perfect one for your needs. You can also add extras such as a home phone.
Uniti Wireless: A Great Option for Those Who Want Reliable Speeds
Uniti Wireless is a great option for those who are looking for reliable OptiComm internet speeds. They offer a variety of plans that come with different speed options, so you can choose the perfect one for your needs. You can also add extras such as static IP addresses to your plan.
The Difference Between OptiComm and NBN
An OptiComm internet connection is practically identical to an NBN FTTP connection, with the same high-speed fibre-optic cables used to transmit signals to a household. In a way, though, OptiComm is superior to most NBN connections because they don’t use older technology. NBN, on the other hand, still uses copper wires and coaxial cables as part of their networks, thereby limiting the speeds some NBN connections are capable of.
There is a downside to this refusal to incorporate decades-old technology, however, since OptiComm is available only in a select few areas. Conversely, the NBN rollout has been completed for some time now and is available to almost all areas of Australia. In fact, there’s a slim chance that NBN connections will replace OptiComm ones if the former is available in the area.
Also, OptiComm services are limited to a relative handful of buildings and communities, including new residential homes as well as commercial and office buildings that chose OptiComm as their wholesale internet service provider before construction began. As far as specifics go, OptiComm is available in a few key cities and suburbs located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney. Still, that numbers to about 120,000 premises across Australia, measured against NBN’s 13 million. It’s clear that NBN is the winner when it comes to reach; in fact, there are currently upwards of 8.2 million subscribers, with 12.1 million homes able to connect to the NBN.
Speed and Available Internet Plans
As with the NBN, OptiComm has several speed tiers ranging from 12Mbps all the way up to 1000Mbps, with plans at the higher speed tiers costing more. In total, there are eight different speeds: 12Mbps download/1Mbps upload, 25Mbps download/10Mbps upload, 50/20, 75/20, 100/12, 100/40, 250/50, and Home Ultrafast (100Mbps upload speed).Prices start at about $59 a month on a month-to-month plan, with a Home Ultrafast plan going for $149 a month. All plans include unlimited data.
By default, you’ll need to bring your own modem, although some ISPs like Aussie Broadband can supply a modem, priced at $249 and up. More powerful modems that are compatible with the higher speed tiers can cost at least $369.
Is Opticomm Better than NBN?
The main advantages of OptiComm over NBN are its lack of reliance on older technology as well as its higher speeds. Still, these come at the cost of reach, since OptiComm is available in only a fraction of the areas that NBN is. If you’re lucky enough to live or work in an area where OptiComm is available, then you may want to consider it as your next internet service provider. Otherwise, you’re likely better off with an NBN connection.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
|
OptiComm |
✔️Lack of reliance on older technology ✔️Higher speeds |
❌Limited reach/availability in only a few areas |
|
NBN |
✔️NBN is available to almost all areas of Australia ✔️NBN rollout has been completed for some time now ✔️12.1 million homes able to connect to the NBN ✔️8.2 million subscribers |
❌Some NBN connections are limited by older technology ❌NBN connections may be replaced by OptiComm if available in the area. |
The answer really depends on what you’re looking for, what’s available for your premises, and your budget. In general, OptiComm is the better option if you want a high-speed internet connection, want to work with an internet wholesale provider whose approach is centred more on the customer, and don’t mind paying a little more. However, NBN comes out on top when it comes to accessibility because it’s so widely available across Australia, and is therefore more affordable in comparison.
Loading...
