Compare Internet plans & providers in Central Coast, NSW

Across the wider Central Coast area, it can feel challenging to find the right broadband provider and plan to meet your online needs. 

Here at Compare Broadband, we’re ready to lend a hand and advise you on your best options. That starts with knowing how to compare the best plans available across all connection types available on the Central Coast. 

You can call us to get advice at any time at 1800 061 200 to get started finding the best broadband plan for your circumstances, budget and needs.

Everyone’s Internet needs and indeed everyone’s budget differ, so here are the factors you ought to consider when picking your next great broadband plan: 

Speed

If you’re paying less for an NBN plan, it’s most likely because it’s on a lower speed tier. That’s fine if your needs are modest - single-person households or light users – but possibly not the best value for larger families or always-on heavy data users. 

Choosing the correct speed for your household requires research, and that's where we can help.

Price

Cost is always a factor when choosing a new Internet plan. If you’re already with a provider, the chances are good that it supplied you with a modem or modem-router device that you had to pay for. Why buy the same item twice if you don’t have to? Check with your new provider if they’ll let you use your existing modem-router to avoid needing to buy a separate new unit. 

Perks and features

Most broadband providers don’t just provide broadband. If you want or need a standard phone line, plenty of providers will bundle that in for you, sometimes as part of a plan or at additional cost. If you’re more interested in saving, consider plans that let you put your power and gas on the same bill as your broadband.

In that scenario, a lot of providers will cut the cost of your NBN connection in return for signing up for a longer term. You should also consider your streaming media tastes, as these are sometimes offered at a discount through specific ISPs.

You might read “Home Wireless” and think that we’re talking about Wi-Fi from your router. Home Wireless, however, is really much more akin to the data connection you already enjoy on your smartphone. 

While the NBN is available to all homes and premises, it’s not your only choice for broadband. 

Home Wireless plans use existing 4G and 5G networks to deliver broadband to a fixed location – which is to say, as long as you qualify, your home – instead of the fixed line solutions that most Central Coast residents will be using under the NBN. 

They’re the same networks your phone works on, though most Home Wireless plans have one big difference.

That big difference is that many Home Wireless Plans offer unlimited data quotas, whereas your phone’s plan has some kind of limit; either a data quota or a speed limit – or both. 

That’s so that Home Wireless Plans can compete with unlimited data NBN plans, but also because the telcos and ISPs that offer Home Wireless do so once they’re fairly sure that you’ll be able to get a good connection that way. 

Environmental factors and mobile tower locations can mean that while you can get a mobile signal in a property, you might not get enough of it for a satisfying home wireless connection. 

In those circumstances, you’ll typically be knocked back for a home wireless setup – or at least be able to get a refund if it’s not working to a satisfactory level if their coverage maps said it should. 

It’s also important to know that, unlike a mobile phone or mobile broadband, the “fixed” part of a fixed wireless plan is there for a reason. You can’t just pick up your modem and take it on the go with you because it’s provided to you for coverage in a very specific location. 

If the NBN’s speeds or plans don’t appeal to you, fixed wireless broadband can be a worthwhile alternative. Find out more about home wireless internet plans here. 

Mobile Broadband is another option open to you on the Central Coast. It’s a good choice obviously for if you’re on the go, but also if you’re not able to arrange a fixed line connection, like for example, if you’re a renter. 

Most Mobile Broadband plans rely on a dedicated hardware device – typically referred to as a “mobile hotspot” – with a mobile SIM inside. 

You power up the Mobile Hotspot, it connects the same way that your phone does and then sends out a Wi-Fi signal that you connect to for actual broadband. 

Speeds can vary both for network and coverage reasons and also depending on the hotspot device, particularly if it’s 5G capable or not. 

A lot of the Central Coast now has 5G coverage, so it’s worth considering if the (typically higher) cost of a 5G hotspot might not better meet your broadband needs. 

You also need to factor in data quotas, because they’re the norm for mobile broadband plans available on the Central Coast. 

In some cases going over quota may only lead to a drop in available speeds, but in some cases, you may either lose access or incur additional data fees. 

The fact that you can literally take your broadband with you gives mobile broadband a lot of its appeal, but it also brings with it some challenges around speed and network quality. 

If you’ve ever been using your phone in a lift, or while driving through a tunnel or near large hills, you’ve probably had your phone quality drop or network data speeds plummet. 

The exact same variables affect mobile hotspots as well, so it’s smart to think about where you might use a mobile hotspot and what that might mean for your usage. 

The upside here for home use is that if you’re getting a poor signal, sometimes moving the hotspot to a different location within your home can make a big difference. 

You’ve got a lot of choices when it comes to picking your Internet provider on the Central Coast. That’s good news in the sense that competition often breeds better price choices but it can also be a little challenging when you’re trying to pick between so many providers. 

The following list isn’t exhaustive at all, but it should give you at least a starting point to work from.

Telstra Internet plans

Telstra is the classic big player in the local telco space and, as well as the NBN offers fixed wireless and mobile broadband plans available across the Central coast using its 4G and 5G networks. 

Typically, Telstra’s plan prices are a touch more expensive than its competitors, although for NBN users it often advertises full typical evening speeds across its plans, suggesting a more robust approach to service delivery. 

You also get other bundled extras especially if you’re also with Telstra for your mobile plans or fixed line phone, including extras such as its Telstra Plus loyalty scheme. 

Optus Internet plans

Optus, like Telstra, provides a range of broadband plans utilising either the NBN or Fixed and Mobile Wireless products. It’s a premium player with premium price points, but also a variety of additional bundling features such as its unique SubHub subscription service. 

Optus NBN plans come with simple month-to-month terms and zero setup fees, which is always welcome.

TPG Internet plans

TPG is the other big player in the Australian telco scene; it’s the brand that owns and operates the Vodafone mobile network but also a slew of smaller ISP brands including iiNet, Internode and more. Of course, you can also get NBN plans through TPG itself as well. 

TPG often sells itself as a “value” brand with less of the frills of a Telstra or Optus – but also often slightly more affordable plan prices as a result.

Belong Internet plans

Belong is a Telstra-owned ISP focusing strongly on affordability. Think of it like a Telstra without the Telstra extras, but also without Telstra’s specific price points and you’re on the right track. 

Belong’s approach isn’t to overwhelm with extras but concentrate on simple services to Central Coast residents at the most popular NBN speed tiers.

Aussie Broadband Internet plans

Aussie Broadband prides itself on offering NBN broadband to Central Coast residents at attractive price points up and down the NBN speed tier tree – depending on your connection type. 

It sells itself strongly on the back of having dedicated Australian-based tech support that’s geared towards both NBN novices and users who want a little more fine-tuned control over their connection. 

This makes it popular both amongst the highly tech-literate as well as those folks who need a little more assistance along the way. 

If you still haven’t come across an internet plan that’s jumped out at you, don’t be afraid to hit us up for some direct assistance.

Compare Broadband is an Australian-based company that offers a free internet comparison service to all Australian homes, and we’ve been independently rated 5 stars by our customers with a Trust Pilot score of 4.8 out of 5 based on over 1,800 reviews.

You can call one of our broadband consultants directly on 1300 106 571, anytime between 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, or between 10am to 5pm Saturdays and Sundays. One of our trusty internet experts will be more than happy to help you find your perfect Central Coast broadband plan; it’s a free service, it’s fast, and it’s easy!

About the author

Alex Kidman is a multi-award winning Australian technology journalist who has been covering the Internet and communications space for more than 25 years across a wide variety of print and online publications, as well as on radio and TV.