Whether you’re running a busy household, or you just never want to run out of data when you’re online, an unlimited broadband plan makes sense.
But where do you start? We’ll take you through what you need to know to pick the best value unlimited broadband connection for your needs and budget.
NBN
Fibre
Unlimited Data
No lock-in contract
Bundle & Save and get $5/mth off your internet when you add a mobile SIM
Sign-up friends or family to Superloop nbn and you’ll get 10% off your monthly bill
Free Amazon eero6+ router if you stay connected for 24 months
Special Offer
NBN
Fibre
Unlimited
Data
No lock-in contract
Get 5 free speed upgrade days every month
Free Amazon eero6+ router if you stay connected for 24 months
Bundle & Save and get $5/mth off your internet when you add a mobile SIM
Special Offer
NBN
Fibre
Unlimited
Data
No lock-in contract
Backed by Telstra. Every day the Telstra security team block millions of cyber threats
Simple plans and features mean low costs for you
Self-manage online, or reach out via phone, chat or email
NBN
Fibre
Unlimited Data
No lock-in contract
Simple plans and features mean low costs for you
Self-manage online, or reach out via phone, chat or email
Backed by Telstra. Every day the Telstra security team block millions of cyber threats
Special Offer
NBN
Fibre
Unlimited Data
No lock-in contract
100% Australian-based support
Award-winning customer service
No lock-in contracts
NBN
Fibre
Unlimited
Data
No lock-in contract
No lock-in contracts
Unlimited standard calls to fixed & mobile numbers in Aus for $10/mth
CommBank customers can receive $10 off nbn® plan fees for 36 months
Special Offer
NBN
Fibre
Unlimited
Data
No lock-in contract
Free Amazon eero6+ router if you stay connected for 24 months
Bundle & Save and get $5/mth off your internet when you add a mobile SIM
Get 5 free speed upgrade days every month
Special Offer
NBN
Fibre
Unlimited Data
No lock-in contract
No lock-in contracts
100% Australian-based support
Award-winning customer service
NBN
Fibre
Unlimited Data
No lock-in contract
Turbocharge your nbn® speed for 5 days for just $5
Pay $0 for our Ultra WiFi Modem Gen 2 when you stay connected for 36 months
Netflix included in select plans
OptiComm
Fibre
Unlimited
Data
No lock-in contract
Bundle & Save and get $5/mth off your internet when you add a mobile SIM
Sign-up friends or family to Superloop nbn and you’ll get 10% off your monthly bill
Compatible with Opticomm
Special Offer
Best is always a relative term, and it’s one that’s slightly tricky to balance when you’re talking about unlimited broadband plans.
By design, these plans offer unlimited data, so there are no concerns about being speed limited or unable to access Internet services.
Price is obviously a key way to determine the best unlimited Internet plan for your needs, but we’d suggest that you look not so much at price as your budget.
Why frame it that way? Because while you could simply opt for the plan with the lowest shiny dollar price next to it, that could be poor value for your needs even if it seems more affordable.
| Unlimited data NBN | Unlimited data wireless | Internet bundles with unlimited data | OptiComm unlimited data |
|---|---|---|---|
|
NBN uses fibre optic cables that can provide super fast and reliable Internet to your home. |
Unlimited Wireless Internet Plans use 4G and 5G mobile technology to deliver fast Internet speeds. |
Internet bundles allow you to get the best deals for a home phone and Internet service. |
OptiComm is a privately owned network offering a high-speed cable connection. |
Lower priced unlimited broadband plans, especially those on the National Broadband Network tend to be those on lower-speed tiers. This won’t suit every household or online user.
Some providers are cheaper because their typical evening speeds are lower at the same NBN speed tier.
The general sweet spot for NBN plans to cover most needs is in the NBN 50 tier. This is also where we see a lot of plans with unlimited data provisions and a lot of competition.
That’s good for you when you’re selecting your next unlimited broadband plan.
Here are some top value contenders at the NBN 50 speed tier:
Superloop nbn™ Extra-Value Broadband Plan
Unlimited NBN50 Fixed Wireless Plus Dodo broadband plan
Optus Plus Everyday NBN™ Bundle Plan
Superloop nbn™ Extra-Value Broadband + PAYG Home Phone Bundle Plan
Standard Plus (nbn50) Unlimited Dodo broadband plan
Optus Plus Family Entertainer Bundle Plan
To find out more about how we recommend plans, take a look at how we work.
Most Australians connecting online at the moment are doing so via the NBN, so unlimited NBN plans are the most common type of plan offered. There are some providers that may offer data-specific bundles, but these are now fewer and further between.
One big factor is your NBN technology type. If you're on a fixed line NBN connection - including FTTP, HFC, FTTC or FTTN, then most place on offer will have unlimited data.
If you are on a wireless connection - either Satellite or Fixed Wireless - then plans with data quotas are more common. Don't forget that the location of your home determins the NBN connection type you have, but plenty of users are being upgraded to FTTP connections as part of ongoing development plans.
There have also been some shifts to fixed line from Fixed Wireless in recent years, but the bottom line is that you don't get to choose your NBN technology type, which means you do need to pay attention when choosing the plans availabel to you!
Here's a selection of popular plan options at every speed tier with unlimited data on the NBN:
There’s a variety of bundling options open to you if you want more than just an unlimited Internet service.
One of the most popular bundling options is to include a phone line with your broadband plan.
Phone provision via these plans is in nearly every circumstance (excluding some fixed wireless and satellite customers) via providing a Voice over IP (VoIP) line that plugs into the same modem that gives you your NBN broadband connection.
You get a dial tone – though it’s virtual – and a phone number just as you always have done, but the actual “phone call” parts are all carried securely over the Internet rather than through a tangled bevy of copper wires and telegraph poles.
Be aware that some plans will simply include a VoIP line as part of your deal, while other providers will charge an additional fee for VoIP lines.
Another way you can make more out of your unlimited broadband plan is by signing up with a provider that also bundles entertainment options as part of a unified package deal.
These almost always rely on streaming video delivered over your Internet connection, and they can be a good way to save money if they’re offering discounts on what you’d pay for a service you already want.
Of course, the inverse is true as well; a bundled entertainment package for shows or events you rarely or never watch isn’t the best match for your needs, so make sure you check the real value to you before signing up.
Another way you can save while getting an unlimited broadband plan is to bundle in your electricity and gas bills with a single provider. These deals are typically quite simple with a flat rate dollar discount on broadband if you’re also a power or gas customer with the same provider.
Here it’s well worth doing your sums to determine if this type of plan is right for you. A straight discount on unlimited broadband might sound tempting, but check your contract commitments and power/gas prices.
A rise in power prices could wipe out any broadband savings you might be making, depending as always on your usage.
You can find out more about unlimited broadband, energy and gas bundles with our guide.
Opticomm offers a range of unlimited broadband plans to customers on its privately owned fibre network, exclusively using FTTP connections at a variety of speed tiers.
However, it is a bit like the NBN in that Opticomm’s the wholesaler in this equation, onselling its services to a range of providers who then sell Opticomm based unlimited bundles to you.
You’re on the Opticomm network rather than the NBN, but you’re not directly an Opticomm customer, in the same way that NBN home users aren’t NBN Co customers – they’re the customers of whichever NBN ISP they’ve signed up with.
Opticomm’s primary speciality for consumers is typically in newly built residential areas and apartment blocks, and as such it doesn’t have quite the same range of availability.
If you can get Opticomm it’s worth consideration, given the general reliability of FTTP network technology and the price points typically offered, which are usually similar to NBN plans at the same speed tiers.
Unlimited wireless Internet plans can be delivered via different technologies. This includes the same 4G and 5G networks that your smartphone runs on, dedicated fixed wireless hardware as used by the NBN, or even satellite.
They’re a good alternative match to fixed line services, especially if you’re in an area poorly provided for by those types of connections.
At your home, you usually end up with a very similar kind of setup to a home fixed line system. A 4G or 5G modem router device supplies Internet services over Wi-Fi to your devices.
They’re typically very simple devices to set up, because nobody has to run any cables to get your service up and running. In most cases, you unpack the supplied device, plug it in and get online easily, as long as you’ve got sufficient 4G or 5G coverage.
For a percentage of the population, unlimited home wireless is provided as part of NBN Co’s fixed wireless footprint, most typically in smaller towns or regional areas just outside larger population centres.
That does mean that if you’re in an area served by a different NBN technology – including fixed line – you could switch to an unlimited home wireless service instead.
Nearly every Internet service provider will offer some kind of unlimited data plan, though pricing, access and availability can vary.
The one exception to this is in the mobile broadband space, where there’s only a handful of providers offering “endless” data provisions, and none without some kind of speed limiting.
After a good quality unlimited data plan? Check out our listing of the top 10 Internet providers.
While the concept of unlimited Internet sounds enticing, there are some drawbacks to consider.
Here’s what to consider when choosing the right unlimited Internet plan for your needs.
| Pros | Cons |
|
You never have to worry about data quotas, and either running out or getting speed limited |
Some connection types don’t have many “unlimited” plans – or put time or usage limits on what’s “unlimited” as part of the deal |
|
Wide variety of cost effective options available |
Unlimited data, not unlimited speeds |
|
Month to month contracts mean you’re not tied down |
Some plans/technologies need specific hardware at additional cost |
Everyone’s needs vary when it comes to Internet services; a flat full of 20-something students and office workers is going to need the Internet for generally different purposes to young family, or a retiree, or any other Australian Internet user for that matter.
But there’s a few key factors to consider when choosing the right unlimited plan for your needs:
You can spend a little or a lot on an unlimited broadband plan, but the limits on your wallet will determine the kinds of plans you can sign up for – and the value you’ll get as a result
You don’t really have a choice when it comes to NBN connections if that’s where you want to get an unlimited connection, but the same is true for 4G/5G fixed wireless, Opticomm or satellite connections through services such as Starlink.
Commercial service availability varies, and this may limit your choices when it comes to choosing an unlimited broadband plan.
You’re getting unlimited data, but not unlimited speeds. Speed is a key criteria when choosing an unlimited broadband plan, with most providers charging more for access to the fast lane of Internet connectivity.
It’s worth knowing what your usage and needs are in speed terms when choosing an unlimited broadband plan to ensure that you’re going to be happy with your service – or not spending money on speeds you don’t need.
Most unlimited broadband plans work on a month to month basis, so switching away typically isn’t too stressful. However this isn’t always the case, with some providers wanting 12 month contracts or longer.
In some cases there may be discounts at play to entice you, but tread carefully around longer term commitments. They could lock you into plans that aren’t good value in the long term.
We’re here to help you pick your best unlimited plan option – give us a call at any time on 1300 764 000.
Switching over to an unlimited Internet plan can be an easy and stress-free experience. With Compare Broadband, finding the best deal and switching to a new provider that better fits your needs is simple.
Firstly, check to see what kinds of connections with unlimited broadband are available in your location. For most Australians that going to be on the National Broadband Network, but other options are also available, and it’s worth comparing what’s available to you to pick the right package.
Once you've determined the connections available in your area, you can start to compare unlimited Internet plans from different providers. Use Compare Broadband's comparison tool to filter results by speed, price and provider, making it easy to find the perfect plan.
Unlimited broadband plans by definition don’t need comparison on data inclusions, but you should consider the different speeds available to you, and the typical evening speeds offered by each Internet service provider. Matching a speed tier to your usage is an important step to getting a good value plan that will leave you satisfied rather than frustrated.
If you’ve already got a compatible modem, one way to easily save a few bucks is to select a plan that lets you bring your own modem to your new provider. This can often save money on setup/installation costs, as well as the ongoing cost of the modem itself.
It’s worth considering and comparing here, as some providers will simply bundle in a new modem with a new service anyway, and if you’re relying on an older modem model, a newer system might provide better Wi-Fi coverage to your home or premises.
Once you've found the right NBN plan, it's time to sign up. You can do this online or call our hotline on 1300 764 000 for faster consultation and sign-up assistance.
With Compare Broadband, switching is simple. Whether you're a homeowner looking for a new connection or needing faster speeds, we're here to help. Plus, with no lock-in contract options available, you can switch providers with confidence and ease.
While “unlimited” might suggest no limits whatsoever, it is worth checking the fine print on any unlimited plan to make sure it meets your need.
Most plans prohibit you sharing your connection with other premises, so if you’re in an apartment you technically can’t share it with the people in the flat next door, for example.
These vary by provider and even over time, so pay attention if your ISP tells you they’re changing the terms and conditions of your contract.
Many ISPs also put in a “fair use” restriction on these plans, to potentially limit anyone from over-using their connection. While ISPs rarely comment on how often they enforce these policies, generally speaking you’d have to be online using a lot of data on a near continuous basis, or using a consumer-level service to provide some kind of data-heavy commercial service to likely run foul of those provisions.
When ISPs talk about “unlimited” Internet, they’re really talking about data usage.
On more traditional plans – and many mobile broadband services – you get a data quota. This is used up both by the data you use surfing the web, watching videos or any other online pursuit, as well as your uploads. Unlimited in this context means that there’s no specified data quota that you can go “over” for those kinds of activities.
What it doesn’t mean is unlimited speeds. Your online speeds will vary depending on the type of connection you have, as well as the services you’re trying to access. So for example most NBN plans fit into specific speed tiers, and while you might have an unlimited data quota on, say, an NBN 50 plan, it typically won’t hit above 50Mbps down as part of its plan structure.
This will depend on your contract and whether you’re opting to stay with the same ISP or switch to a different provider. If you’re staying with the same provider, many will let you change to an unlimited plan during a contract period, especially as most broadband plans work on a month-to-month (sometimes called “zero contract”) basis.
In some cases they may be willing to switch you to a new plan, but you might not get a refund for the unused paid time left on your month’s access.
If you’re changing ISPs it can get a little more tricky, though typically again that’s just a matter of forfeiting any remaining value left in your monthly contract. If you are signed to a longer-term contract there may be early termination penalties to pay, as well as any remaining payments on your broadband modem device where applicable.
There aren’t usually specific fees to consider when choosing unlimited Internet plans, but it is worth considering the charges you may incur when switching to one. Rather obviously, you’re kissing any excess usage fees goodbye, but you may need to budget for a new modem or connection device as part of your unlimited usage broadband plan, as well as any connection fees. It’s also a good idea when signing up for a new plan to look at any other termination fees or similar if you wanted to change providers down the track.
Setup depends on connection technologies and which provider you’re shifting to, so if there does need to be any work done to or outside your premises – switching up an NBN plan to a full fibre upgrade, for example – but if you’re just switching from one NBN plan with a data quota to an unlimited data plan on the NBN, then it could all be sorted within the same day in some cases. Give our call centre a ring on 1300 764 000 and we can help you make the jump to an unlimited broadband plan.
In most cases, yes. If you’re using the NBN for your broadband, most providers will allow for users who want to use their own hardware to do so, as long as it’s broadly NBN compliant.
The potential issues to consider here are whether it’s locked to a different NBN ISP and the level of support you might require to get it up and running or troubleshoot if something goes wrong.
NBN ISPs will support their own hardware, but the variety of compatible modems can make it difficult for them to cover every device, interface and potential issue. In some cases ISPs may provide you with a modem/router device and ask you to plug it back in to troubleshoot if you’re experiencing problems.
You may also forego other features offered by specific ISPs, such as mobile broadband backup if your primary broadband connection goes offline.
Absolutely. Most providers will offer the option to add an Internet-based phone service to your broadband plan using VoIP (Voice over IP) technologies. In some cases that may be all part and parcel of your plan, while other providers offer VoIP lines as an add-on extra. Find out more about broadband phone bundles.
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