Compare Internet Plans & Providers in NSW

You’ve probably already heard of 5G, the emerging wireless technology that’s expected to be the preeminent choice for broadband, both on the phone and in the home. 5G is a digital cellular network technology, the next evolutionary step after 4G (hence the name), the biggest difference being that 5G, at a theoretical maximum speed, is expected to be about 100 times faster than 4G. Whether 5G can still reach those kinds of speeds after a full rollout and subsequent configuration is yet to be seen, but that fact remains, it’s still going to be much quicker than most internet alternatives, and people are already champing at the bit for it. 

Fortunately for them (and possibly for you), the early 5G rollout has already begun, and there are already many 5G towers around New South Wales. At the time of writing, you’ll be able to find limited 5G coverage in Central Coast, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Wagga Wagga, and Sydney.

The NBN in NSW is largely completed, with the remaining areas set for completion later this year. The NBN (or National Broadband Network) is a countrywide government enterprise designed and implemented to upgrade the nation’s internet by replacing infrastructure by replacing all the old copper network system with a typically more efficient fibre optic cable system. The NBN is built and managed by a government corporation aptly named the NBN Co. During its lengthy rollout, the NBN has suffered a few setbacks here and there, but the NBN Co have cited that they are on track to finish their rollout by 2020. 

The NBN is a multi-technology mix, meaning that there are several different types of NBN connections that all work differently. Unfortunately, some NBN connections are typically more reliable than others, and customers are unable to select which connection their home is given (as system that has been derisively dubbed as the NBN Lottery). However, if a customer is experiencing subpar internet performance due to their NBN connection type, they can generally counter this by selecting an NBN plan that has more data and a higher NBN speed tier.

There are four distinct NBN speed tiers available in NSW. Each speed tier varies in speed, and also in cost. You can select the tier that best suits your budget and your internet speed requirements.

The four NBN speed tiers available in New South Wales are; 

- Basic evening speed: No minimum

- Standard evening speed: Minimum 15 Mbp

- Standard plus evening speed: Minimum 30 Mbps

- Premium evening speed: Minimum 60 Mbp

NBN outages in NSW (and everywhere else in the country) are not entirely uncommon, as NBN service can occasionally be affected by unexpected occurrences as well as planned maintenance. These network outages are usually fixed by the NBN Co as quickly as possible. If you would like to see if there is any planned maintenance that may disrupt the NBN in your area, or if you are currently experiencing an NBN outage and would like to be kept apprised on it, you can visit the NBN Co’s Network Status and Outages page directly, and enter your address for an update. Remember though, there are a lot of potential sources for a network outage, and it may not necessarily be due to the NBN network being down. You can sometimes fix the congestion simply by restarting your modem, or if that fails, by calling up your internet provider to troubleshoot the problem.

Whether you’re looking for the cheapest broadband plan in NSW or the fastest (or something in the middle), you’ll find that there is a surprising amount of options to choose from; but inevitably, the best internet plan in NSW is ultimately going to be very subjective. When finding your plan, you’ll need to factor in how much time you spend on the internet per month (or indeed, per day), how many people in your household will be using the internet (especially if they’re using it at the same time), and what exactly everyone is using it on; for example,  if you do a lot of downloading, online gaming or TV streaming, you’ll likely find that you’re best suited to an Unlimited Plan.

Now, Unlimited Plans these days are generally very affordable, but if you really want to tighten the belt and save some money on your broadband expenses, you’ll want to look at some low data plans - especially if you’re not one to go through a lot of data per month (there’s no point paying for data that you’re not using!). Consider Dodo’s 101 GB plan for $50 per month, or Belong’s 100 GB plan for $40 per month. Another good tip for lowering your broadband overheads is to sign on for a contract plan. While Month to Month plans certainly allow a little more freedom to change plans and providers, contract plans (which typically run for 6, 12 and 24 months) are more often than not cheaper. So if you already know that you’re happy with a plan and service, or you simply prefer to go with the most budget conscious choice, then a contract plan might be the option for you. 

Have more questions about wireless internet in NSW? Still unclear about home wireless? Need more help finding the best NBN Plans in NSW? Then get in touch with us! Compare Broadband is a free internet comparison service for all Australian homes, and we’re 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 use our free broadband search engine to find the best internet plans & providers for your home, and follow us on Facebook for broadband news. Or if you’d prefer to talk to a human voice in the real world, then you can call one of our friendly broadband experts for a free consultation on 1300 106 571. Easy!