Compare and find the best Internet plans in Brisbane

Brisbane has an extensive range of options for Internet service providers. Each offers different plans with various speeds and prices, which is why it's so important to compare broadband plans before you decide.

Start by determining the Internet needs of your household. It's important to consider your usage habits. At Compare Broadband, we take the hassle out of comparing different plans. We have all the information you need to make an informed decision, including prices, speed comparisons and data allowances.

We also have an Internet plan finder that makes finding the best plan for your needs easy.

Call our broadband experts, tell us what you need, and we'll help you compare Internet plans in Brisbane to find one that best suits your home or business.

There's a lot to do in Brisbane, whether it's strolling along the South Bank or soaking up the food and music of the West End. Likewise, it's also a thriving metropolis when it comes to choosing from the vast array of home Internet plans.

Fixed-line broadband connections are one of the most popular options in Brisbane, offering download speeds of 100 Mbps, and even faster in some areas. 

Popular Brisbane Internet providers in our database include Aussie Broadband, Optus, Telstra, Exetel, More Telecom, Dodo and Belong. 

Internet plans typically include unlimited downloads, no lock-in contract, 24/7 support and a free modem or router. Some also bundle a home phone service with free local and national calls. 

Of course, with so many Internet service options at your fingertips, we understand that things can get a little overwhelming. The good news is that Compare Broadband is here to help you find the right Brisbane Internet plan for your needs.

Brisbane is well-served by the network, with different fixed-line connection types available depending on your location. 

These include Fibre to the Premises, Fibre to the Curb, Fibre to the Building, Fibre to the Node and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial.

In more remote areas of Brisbane, where a fixed-line connection is unavailable, NBN might offer Fixed Wireless or SkyMuster Satellite. 

Fixed Wireless relies on an NBN outdoor antenna to send and receive radio signals from a nearby transmission tower. Alternatively, SkyMuster relies on a satellite dish.

Each NBN connection technology offers varying levels of speed and reliability, with Fibre to the Premises the pick of the bunch. Connecting to some technologies requires a visit from an NBN technician to install the necessary equipment at your premises.

You can easily find your NBN connection type using our handy broadband comparison tool.

Our Compare Broadband experts have thoroughly reviewed and analysed top NBN providers – considering pricing, speed, connection types and reliability. Our user-friendly search engine tool makes it easy to discover the best NBN unlimited data plans available at your address.

As of writing, Brisbane fixed-line connections have a median download speed of 54.38 Mbps and an upload speed of 18.47 Mbps, according to Speedtest.net data.

Checking a provider's typical evening speed is crucial, as it reflects the actual performance you can expect during peak even hours of 7pm to 11pm, when most users are online. This increased demand for bandwidth can cause the connection to slow down.

Below is a guide to the minimum typical evening speed per each speed tier, keeping in mind these speeds vary between providers.

Basic: Offering speeds up to 12 Mbps, this tier supports video streaming at DVD quality (480p). It is fine for users who surf and occasionally stream, but not for most users who use their Internet connection for activities that require higher bandwidth.

Standard: Offering speeds up to 25 Mbps, this tier supports video streaming at HD quality (720p). Offering a lag-free streaming experience, it's ideal for users who surf and stream.

Standard Plus: Offering up to 50 Mbps, this tier supports video streaming at Ultra HD quality (4K) or streaming on multiple devices in HD. It's also well-suited to gaming with reduced latency. It is good for heavy users who surf, play games and use bandwidth-hungry applications like video calling.

Premium Evening Speed: Offering up to 100 Mbps, this tier is great for streamers and gamers who want a very smooth online experience. It's well-suited for households where several users and devices want to stream multiple Ultra HD videos or play games simultaneously. It's also a good fit for people who need fast Internet speeds to work from home, or to video chat on multiple connected devices.

It's important to note that some NBN connections like FTTN can struggle to reliably deliver more than 50 Mbps. Depending on your area, some connection technologies such as FTTP and HFC are capable of going even faster than 100 Mbps.

NBN 250: Provides download speeds of up to 250 Mbps. It's designed for big households and/or super heavy Internet users who really feel the need for speed. It might also be a good option if you need fast and reliable Internet to run a small business from home, with a few people using the Internet at the same time.

NBN 1000: Provides download speeds of up to 1000 Mbps, also known as gigabit Internet. Dubbed "Ultrafast" Internet, this tier is designed to satisfy Internet users with extreme needs, perhaps including bandwidth-intensive home businesses.

Customers are not free to choose their NBN connection type, so it's important to understand which option is available at your address. Thankfully, NBN is offering some homes on FTTN and FTTP connections an NBN FTTP upgrade, if they're also happy to upgrade to a faster plan.

To apply for an NBN FTTP upgrade:

- Check your eligibility: Contact us at Compare Broadband to determine your eligibility for the connection upgrade. If you're eligible, you must order a plan based on NBN 100 or higher when upgrading from an FTTN connection, or NBN 250 or higher when upgrading from an FTTC connection.

- Choose an Internet provider: Only participating service providers can offer the NBN FTTP upgrade. This includes Aussie Broadband, Dodo, Exetel, More, Optus, Superloop, Tangerine and Telstra.

- Consider costs: There might be additional fees, depending on factors such as your building type and the complexity of installing the new connection. To confirm the costs, contact us at Compare Broadband to assist you with the NBN FTTP upgrade process.

- Prepare for installation: Upgrading to FTTP requires new NBN equipment to be installed inside and outside your home. This requires at least two visits from an NBN technician, which your FTTP provider will help coordinate.

- Check equipment compatibility: Your existing modem or router may need to be replaced in order to work with NBN FTTP. Check with your provider, which can sell you the equipment you need, or you might be able to purchase it elsewhere and BYO.

- Transfer your service: After confirming that your new FTTP service is up and running properly, you can transfer your NBN service across from your previous connection type. Make sure you cancel your previous plan. Otherwise, it will remain active and you will get charged for both connections.

Home wireless broadband is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to NBN fixed-line connections in Brisbane. It uses the same mobile networks as your smartphone, but the supplied home wireless broadband modem is only designed for use within your home. Thankfully, it's a hassle-free set-up which doesn't require a visit from a technician.

When comparing home wireless broadband plans in Brisbane, you'll notice that the more affordable options run on the older 4G networks, while premium plans run on the faster 5G networks. Providers offering 5G home wireless plans include Uniti, Optus, TPG, iiNet, Internode, Spintel, Telstra and Vodafone.

Mobile broadband also utilises the same mobile networks as your smartphone. Along with USB dongles for your computer, you can also get portable wireless hotspots designed to provide you with large data allowances and support all the devices in your home.

Like home wireless broadband plans, one of the main advantages of a mobile broadband connection is hassle-free set up. You can start using your Internet connection almost immediately without waiting for technicians or installations. 

Optus, Telstra and Vodafone are the top providers for mobile connection in Brisbane, but mobile broadband is also available from a wide range of other providers who take advantage of one of these three mobile networks.

Even though providers all rely on the same NBN connection to your home, not all Brisbane Internet providers are the same. Along with different plans, these providers also offer a mix of additional features, bundles and offers. Typical evening speeds can also vary.

There are a few things you need to take into account when finding the right Brisbane Internet provider. Firstly, how much do you want to spend? Besides the monthly price, you also need to keep an eye out for any potential upfront costs that you might incur, such as the cost of hardware like a new modem. 

Secondly, how much data do you need each month? If you're a light Internet user, there's no point in paying more for unlimited data that you're not using. But if your household uses the Internet quite a lot, especially for data-intensive activities such as Ultra HD video streaming, then an unlimited plan is probably the way to go.

Thankfully, Brisbane plays host to all of the major Australian Internet providers including Telstra, Optus, TPG, Dodo, Belong, Harbour ISP, Superloop, Exetel and others. Before you sign with anyone, it’s best to call the Internet providers you're considering so it can confirm that your home has access to its service and give you any other relevant information, such as potential discounts. Calling them is also a great way to gauge the quality of the customer service.

Need more information? You can call one of our friendly broadband consultants directly on 1300 106 571. Compare Broadband is a free internet comparison service for all Australians, so get in touch! We’re also independently rated 5 stars by our customers, and we have a Trust Pilot score of 4.8 out of 5 based on over 1,800 reviews. We’re here to help! 

About the author

Adam Turner is an award-winning Australian technology journalist, corporate writer and podcaster who has been writing for more than 20 years about the technology challenges facing Australian businesses and consumers.