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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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Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

I was contacted by Telstra, my current provider, to connect to nbn, with a signal coming from a tower 10ks away. I normally have poor internet and mobile service, but they assured me it would work. Did all the prep., etc, but on the day of connection they found I have no signal, so no nbn. It is infuriating trying to use the internet, when the signal keeps dropping out. I don't know what the answer is. 

John
John from NSW commented:

Currently with Optus $75/month unlimited data, phone with free national calls. It is cable and flatlines at 30MB/s most of the time. The best NBN equivalent offer Optus can come up with is $85 but the peak speed will be 23MB/s. So up goes the price and down comes the quality - unbelievable! Also, they dont seem to have any other options available to me. 

Peter
Peter from NSW replied to John:

I am also with Optus at $90 per month with unlimited cable and all calls included. I would be luck if I got 15MB/s at the best of times as the modem is crap. NBN is supposed to be here middle of next year, but I don't see it being any better. 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

Quite expensive plans 

joan
joan from QLD commented:

these prices are more than what I am paying now. why and what do I actually get for the money? 

Peter
Peter from NSW replied to joan:

Those prices are like a lot of the suggestions from 50Up Club. Dearer than one can find by doing their own homework. Seriously though, why bother with the NBN when you can use mobile broadband or your mobile telephone as a modem. 

Denzil
Denzil from NSW commented:

I was browbeaten by Optus into continuing with them but they talked about a 2 year contract whereas I was previously on a rollover with them (no contract) The upside is, they provided the new modem and as an existing customer they offered up to 100 bps speeds instead of the standard 12 to 25 bps. (Existing Optus Cable connection is equal to about 30 bps speed) However, they conned me into action by saying the cable would be shut down but it hasn't been yet, and still using it. Don't like their dishonesty and all their customer service seems to be in Phillipines with strong accents. 

John
John from NSW commented:

I have done my NBN homework and find the best deal for me who doesn't down load movies or music is Aussie for $35.00/month. Speed 12/1- 25GB-no lock in contract. Plus $15 for home phone with unlimited free local, National and Mobile calls. Once off purchase of modem $110 plus $10.00 freight. Aussie happy for you to bring your own modem which is a Netcomm NF10WV and can be purchased on Ebay for $80.00 . In my 2 year contract just about to expire with another provider, I have never exceeded 20GB in any month which most older folk would be the same boat. ANYONE BEAT THIS DEAL@ $50.00/month all up. Oh! and you always speak to a local and not an overseas employee with strong accents. 

Andrew
Andrew from VIC replied to John:

Yes $39.99 for nbn12 with 100GB download; $10 for unlimited normal AU calls. 18 month contract, $59 plus $20 delivery for modem. So, $49.99 monthly cost, 4x more data, same speed. I am an agent for Exetel, if you wish to go with them, please let them know my agent code of V007, that is V for Victoria and 007 as in James Bond. Your price won't be different if you don't use the agent code, but I can help you as an extra point of contact if there are any issues at all. 

John
John from NSW replied to Andrew:

Thank you Andrew for your info. Modem cost is about the same if purchased through Ebay so all you are offering is more GB's than I and most older folk will ever use if we sign up for 18 months. Lilke wise, long term contracts 24 months etc., are a bit cheaper but if not happy with the service you are stuck with them or pay a penalty for breaking the contract. Most older folk don't realize that if they die before the contract is concluded, then the provider has a legal claim against the estate for compensation and can hold up settlement to beneficiaries.. The Aussie plan is the best for my situation. Any one else know of a better plan?. Aussie do not have this plan on the internet as it is a special plan for pensioners only and only available if you phone them. 

Andrew
Andrew from VIC replied to John:

There is a no lock-in option, but it has an activation cost of $99.99 instead of free. And I wouldn't be buying a modem from eBay when it is the same cost and the ISP needs to warrant it, plus it is simpler for setup. If the modem was much cheaper via an alternative, then perhaps... but anything from eBay might well be second hand. 

Sheila
Sheila from QLD commented:

If you live in an area with bad cell phone reception as I do, switching to the nbn creates some concerns, When the power goes out, as it often does in Queensland during summer storms, your "landline" phone service along with your internet are both inoperable. So this means that there could be times when you have no way to contact emergency services. I am told that a battery backup can be supplied which should last for up to 5 hours, no idea what additional costs this might incur. 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

Smaller priderd, as I understand it, in the main purchase smaller band width and causes unreliable/intermittent/slow nbn. We are rural victoria and cautiously considering our options 

Graham
Graham from QLD commented:

Protest group "Fix Redcliffe's NBN Action Group" has repeatedly seen the elderly rise at protest meetings to say "I don't have a computer, I don't want a computer..all I want is a phone I can use to call the kids." There is a need for those in marketing NBN plans to also tell of "phone only" schemes which can retail for little more than $20 per month. Next Sunday the Redcliffe group will hold another meeting where a speaker is scheduled to outline how home owners can still have a landline without the NBN...Graham. 

Colin
Colin from NSW commented:

Are there plans for someone who does not want a fixed landline, but prefers to use a mobile phone for all calls and data? Colin from NSW 

Andrew
Andrew from VIC replied to Colin:

This is not uncommon, but depending on your service, it may still need your landline to provide it (FTTN needs to use the copper). Your number can be ported as part of an order at no cost, you can just use the modem without a phone and incoming calls will just ring out. 

Peter
Peter from NSW replied to Colin:

Mobile telephone and mobile internet. 

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