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Best NBN 50 Plans

Best NBN 50 Plans

Tags: Telco & Broadband
Last updated by Jacqui Dent on

Best NBN 50 Plans From Big Providers

If you’ve moved to an NBN plan – or are considering making the jump soon – you’re no doubt expecting great speeds, a reliable connection, and value for money. Fortunately, thanks to recent wholesale price changes, getting a fast-and-furious broadband plan has never been more affordable.

Earlier this month, NBN Co. confirmed that customer satisfaction rates are on the rise, coinciding with more and more Australians switching to faster NBN 50 plans. In fact, almost one million customers have signed up for the NBN 50 price tier – over one quarter of all NBN connections. So what is NBN 50, and why is it such a popular option for NBN customers?

What is NBN 50?

NBN plans are currently available at four price and speed points. NBN 12 is the cheapest and slowest; NBN 100 is your ultra-fast premium option; and NBN 25 and NBN 50 fall somewhere in the middle. While NBN 25 is generally fast enough for everyday internet use for individuals and families, if you really want to congestion-proof your plan, NBN 50 is our top pick.

Also known as Standard Plus Evening Speed, NBN 50 offers download speeds of up to 50Mbps (Megabits per second). Your real-world results are unlikely to be quite this fast: depending on your provider and location, you can usually expect speeds of between 30-45Mbps.

Thanks to the recent price drop, many internet providers are scrapping the NBN 25 option completely, in favour of promoting 50Mbps plans. If you’re part of a multi-user household, spend a lot of time streaming and downloading, or just want a smooth and interruption-free connection, NBN 50 plans are an ideal choice.

Telstra NBN 50 Plans

Australia’s top network is promising typical NBN 50 download speeds of around 40Mbps during peak hours, and 45Mbps during quieter traffic times. While Telstra isn’t the cheapest NBN option, the telco does offer both 1000GB and unlimited data plans, with prices beginning at $79 per month.

A word of warning for Telstra users: while you can buy contract-free NBN service, customers who opt for a month-to-month plan will need to pay $435 upfront in setup and modem costs. Sign on for two years, however, and that upfront fee drops to $99.

Optus NBN 50 Plans

Optus’ NBN 50 plans start from $75 per month, and include unlimited data on both month-to-month and 24-month contract options. However, contract-free plans come with a $200 upfront setup fee, which you won’t be required to pay if you commit to a two-year plan.

Optus NBN 50 customers can expect typical peak hour speeds of 36.8 Mbps, and around 47Mbps during off-peak hours. You can also bundle your service with a Fetch Mighty set-top box for an extra $15 per month.

Vodafone NBN 50 Plans

If you’re considering a Vodafone NBN 50 plan, be aware that the telco hasn’t yet released its own typical speed results. Vodafone is also slightly more expensive than major rival Optus, with unlimited data NBN 50 plans priced at $79 per month on a 24-month contract.

No-contract plans are available, but this option comes with an upfront fee of $150. If you’re happy to be locked in for 24 months, this fee is waived (and you’ll get a free 12-month Netflix subscription when you sign up by June 30).

TPG NBN 50 Plans

TPG’s NBN 50 options are a little cheaper than its competitors, with prices beginning at $69.99 monthly for unlimited data, both on or off-contract. If you do sign up for an 18-month plan, you’ll pay $30 upfront, and receive three months of free TPG Mobile service when you bundle. Otherwise, no-contract customers pay $129.95 in setup costs.

TPG lists its typical evening speeds for NBN 50 plans as 44Mbps, which is pretty impressive. In fact, the company has previously been named the number-one provider for fast NBN speeds by the ACCC.

Other providers

It’s not just the big names offering NBN 50 at better-than-ever prices. Below are prices and plans available from smaller providers, including Exetel, amaysim, and Kogan.

Tara Donnelly is an editor at Australia's most comprehensive telco comparison site WhistleOut.

Originally posted on .

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Alfred
Alfred from QLD commented:

What about MUNGI, their prices beat most of the others and they are an Australian Company with Australian people for support. Support the locals please. 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

Majority of people do NOT need 50Mbps. A lot of people are overpaying for a service that they do not need and are not utilising. Unless they are transferring very large files constantly or 5 people streaming all at once, 25 Mbps is heaps. 12 Mbps is adequate for most. 

Ken
Ken from NSW commented:

25Mbps I would be happy with, the 9Mbps I am currently getting, not so much.I don't know too many ISP's who sell a 12Mbps package. 

Ken
Ken from NSW commented:

I signed up three months ago for Telstra's Connect Plus package which stated a minimum download speed of 40Mbps. I got only 14Mbps and took Telstra to task who in turn had the NBN look into the issue stating the fault was with them. After the NBN supposedly improved the line quality, the speed dropped to 12Mbps. I then took it up with the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman and was promptly assigned a Telstra case manager to specifically deal with my issue, (no good dealing with the NBN, they just fob you off back to your Internet Service Provider). After more battles between Telstra and the NBN who again, (the NBN) were supposed to have improved the quality of the line, the speed has now dropped to 9Mbps. The speed is an NBN issue, they are responsible for the infrastructure and who I have to add, is the most useless company to deal with, so beware whoever you sign up with as there is no guarantee of obtaining the speeds you will be paying for. Needless to say, the issue is still ongoing. 

Ray
Ray from TAS replied to Ken:

That's just woeful service but it's about par when dealing with the bigT. Have you tried using different speed test engines to establish an average d/l speed for your nbn connection. If you've signed up for a 50Mps package you should be getting in the range of 25-35mps. Cheers. 

Ken
Ken from NSW replied to Ray:

Thanks Ray, I usually use speedtest.net to monitor my download upload speed. Can you recommend another service to provide a comparison? I really don't believe the speed is Telstra related but the NBN themselves, just annoyed that Telstra sold me a minimum 40Mbps package which they can't deliver. 

Shelia at Fifty Up Club
Shelia at Fifty Up Club from NSW replied to Ken:

Hi Ken, take a look at https://speedof.me/ 

Ken
Ken from NSW replied to Shelia at Fifty Up Club:

Thanks Shelia, that speed test site returned a better result than speedtest.net - 10.44Mbps. Still woeful though and I'm still battling with Telstra and the NBN. 

Shelia at Fifty Up Club
Shelia at Fifty Up Club from NSW replied to Ken:

You're welcome Ken. Good luck with your battle 

Ray
Ray from TAS commented:

I switched to "MATE" several months ago and couldn't be happier. Speak to real Aussies if help is needed. Nothing is too much trouble for them. Also I have a landline in my package and everything works a treat. NBN 50 is very reliable too. A+ to this company. 

Someone
Someone from VIC replied to Ray:

Thanks Ray ....will check MATE out - much appreciated Christine 

Ray
Ray from TAS commented:

MATE does not lock you into any long term contracts either-just month to month. 

Someone
Someone from WA commented:

dont you thing unlimited better for your $ 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

I would also like to learn about "deals" that include fixed line phone calls? Christine - Vic 

Ray
Ray from TAS commented:

Check out MATE they do a landline package. 

Rodney
Rodney from NSW commented:

Thanks for the article, very informative. Does the NBN50 plan include a fixed line phone? Regards Rodney 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to Rodney:

Regarding the comments on "landline" or "fixed line" phone, just be aware that the phone line is just an internet VoIP (Voice over IP) phone that relies on NBN being online. When the NBN is down, the phone is also down. 

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