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NewsHow to Pick the Right NBN Plan for you
How to Pick the Right NBN Plan for you

How to Pick the Right NBN Plan for you

Tags: Telco & Broadband
Last updated by Joe Hanlon on

Like it or loathe it, the National Broadband Network (NBN) is coming to your home, if it hasn’t arrived already. More than half of Aussie homes are now wired into the NBN, with the most of the remainder to be connected by the end of next year. 

What a lot of people don’t realise is that once the NBN is connected to your house, you have just 18 months to switch to an NBN service before your existing phone and internet are switched off.

Like death and taxes, a switch to the NBN is inevitable if you want to stay online.

That said, it is also an excellent opportunity to reevaluate your monthly phone and internet bills. The design of the NBN creates a level playing field for all internet providers, so even if you’ve been a rusted-on Telstra customer for a decade, you can switch to a new, cheaper NBN plan and receive a excellent service from one of the numerous smaller, cheaper internet companies.

You really have to ask yourself, how much is the internet worth to me? It is easy to find yourself on a plan costing over $100 per month, which is a lot more than you should pay to check Facebook, read your emails and catch up on the news of the day.

SAVINGS TIP: With new NBN plans, you might find you can cut your current bill in half.

 

Before you start shopping around for a new NBN plan, here are a few important things to keep in mind:

  • You will probably need a new NBN compatible modem. The NBN is a brand new technology, and your current modem will need to be replaced with a newer model. Ask your provider about sending you one when you sign up.
  • Look for a ‘No Contract’ plan and keep your options open to move to a different provider if you need to.
  • Be brave and try one of the smaller providers. The best value plans tend to come from the companies you may not have heard of before. You might find that this is a blessing in disguise; smaller companies have more to prove and are more likely to use local teams for customer support, rather than off-shore call centres.

To get you started, here is a collection of some of the best value NBN plans around at the moment:

Joe Hanlon is the publisher at Whistleout.com.au

Originally posted on .

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brendon
brendon from QLD commented:

I have a lot of the comments, it seems to me higher cost for a lesser service, how does that work ?? Brendon. I'm not on L/L so I should be good.?? Brendon 

brendon
brendon from QLD commented:

I only use it on a irregular basis so why do I have to pay HIGHER Brendon 

Graeme
Graeme from VIC commented:

Been with aussiebroadband for more than 2 years .. No problem....don't be sucked in by limitless plans ..they simply don't have enough bandwidth to support the unlimited claim 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

Do you have any information on service, a good connection is more important than price. 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

To my mind the above recommendations are shallow in their content. There is no mention of potential download speeds, consistency of connectivity and after sales service., just "vanilla service and cost. The comment "NBN creates a level playing field for all internet providers" is only half of the full story, The other half is ..the field (standard) is well below what existed , at a lower cost, beforehand. I went with my old/ long term ISP and have never had anywhere near satisfactory speeds, connectivity or a timeline for resolution of the issues that have existed since connection. be mindful that there is 180 days before the old service is cut-off and "anything" will be said by sales staff to get one to sign a contract . 

John
John from NSW commented:

That's why I emphasized month to month contract. Jump around with no penalty with different providers if not satisfied. Providers try to lock you in to long term by giving you what seems a cheaper deal like no cost for the modem or free connection etc., Once you own your modem you can go anywhere with the same modem. I like the idea also of speaking to some one on the mainland if you have a query or problem. Aussie NBN has been excellent to date. Just my personal opinion and experience. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to John:

John, please remember you are communicating with 50up members..... we don't want to "jump around" between ISPs...., we want certainty in the product/service delivered..... hence my comment suggesting greater detail re speeds and connectivity. You have raised the issue of "owning the modem" there are doubts around who does own the modem. Some ISP plans include the modem (free) that doesn't not mean the user owns the modem nor does payment for connection, and so on, mean the user owns the modem. So "jumping around" can lead to additional costs and time wasting we don't want wasted time/costs in our lives. I note you comment re Aussie NBN., thanks. 

Ron
Ron from QLD commented:

what the hell is standard evening speed ! 

Chris
Chris from WA replied to Ron:

I think they're saying this is the speed in peak periods; bit like the freeways only travelling at 40Kmh during peak period, even though the signs promise 110! I'm hoping it means the slowest they will go rather than the fastest 

kevin
kevin from NSW commented:

These plans aren't particularly cheap. The NBN has generally been a disaster for people on the Central Coast of New South Wales. 

John
John from NSW commented:

I believe there will be a shake up in the not too distant future and that is one of the reasons why I refused to sign up to anything other than a month by month and not locked in to a long term contract. If something better comes on the market I can take advantage of it without a hefty penalty for breaking the contract. Aussie NBN pensioner plan is the best I can find at this point in time. $35.00 for 25GB plus $15.00 for home phone with unlimited calls. If you think about it, why would you want a home phone when you have a mobile phone. Just a habit we wrinklies.find difficult to break. My mobile is in my pocket at all times whether I am at the BBQ or sitting on the toilet. 

Someone
Someone from SA commented:

Surely there are much better value plans than these available ??? 

Allan
Allan from SA commented:

I believe that $59.95 is a ripoff for unlimited, even though I have been on regional NBN for the last 2 years. It's virtually impossible to get a better deal and to be honest I'm fed up with the way that Australians are getting ripped off with everything and it's about time the government stopped pandering and pouting and got on to the job we are paying them to do. And that is to start looking after the country and it's people which is what is expected of them. 

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