Australia 26 Mar. 2022

No Upfront Costs Internet & Best Price Comparison for High Speed

Do you want a fast high speed internet for your home? Are you looking for an internet subscription without upfront costs? You can compare the best internet packages online to find the most suitable options that include all wanted requirements!

Check out our guide for the best internet packages of 2021 below. Get yourself an internet plan that suits your needs!

The Best Internet Packages in Australia

Are you sick of the lackluster performance of your current service provider and want something better? Or are you looking to get your internet service for the first time? If you are, there is good and bad news for you. The good thing is that there are a host of broadband options and internet service providers in Australia. The bad news is there is a staggering number of options and it can be challenging to find the best deal. This list will attempt to help narrow down some of the best choices for you.

Internet Service in Australia

To choose the best internet package for your home, you first need to know the different internet plans that are available to you. There are various ways to connect to the internet, and these options may not all be offered where you are. The first category of connections is the National Broadband Network (NBN). It is the latest way to get the Internet in Australis. Depending on your location, you can connect your office or home to the NBN using optical fiber, Cable/ Hybrid Fiber Coaxial, or fixed wireless. There is also the satellite connection where the data is beamed down from Sky Muster Satellites. However, this is known to provide the slowest access and is only made available to provide service to the remote parts of the country.

Optical fiber connects you through high bandwidth cables found overhead in the power lines or laid in the ground. This is a favorable option because the connection is relatively stable as it travels through the fiber optic cable. However, there are areas in the country that are not covered by this option. You may have to check if FTTN or FTTC is available for you.

The HC option, on the other hand, connects your building to the internet using similar cables to the one used for your pay-TV connections. While the service is fairly stable, it does tend to be a little more expensive in certain parts of Australia.

Finally, there is the Fixed wireless option. This utilizes the same technology that lets our mobile phones access the Internet. Just like the Satellite connection, this is mostly available only in rural areas. You can also get service in your home via ADSL2+. This connects your structure using a modem and an existing phone line. You can check your options for your address through NBN’s official website.

A closer look at NBN

For this article, we will be looking at NBN and how you can connect to the Internet using it. The National Broadband Network is a country-wide project of the Federal Government. It aims to provide a speedy and reliable Internet connection for all the homes and businesses in Australia.

It will replace all the outdated infrastructure with supercharged connections. The department recognizes how access to the Internet is integral in all the citizens’ personal lives and work so they are putting money into building a faster and sturdier network.

As mentioned above, you can check if your area is already covered by NBN using the search tool on their website. You can also get an estimate of when it will be made available in your area. But, note that NBN Co is merely the wholesaler. To be able to use the Internet, you’ll need to contact and sign up for a plan with a phone and Internet service provider. There are over a hundred service providers in Australia at the moment. We will look at the top few to help you choose which one can help you connect to the Internet.

How to Prepare for NBN connection

If you already have an existing internet and phone service, and your area just became “ready for service”, you will be given 18 months before the old one gets disconnected. When you go to the NBN website, you will also learn what technology will be used at your address.

The next step would be to place an order to switch to the NBN. This will be facilitated by your service provider. Before making that call, think about your Internet needs.

  • Are you getting just the internet service, or will you sign up for telephone service as well?
  • How much data you’ll need?
  • What speed do you need?

Read the Critical Information Summaries of the providers that you are eyeing. The summaries contain the different plans and products offered by these providers.
Call the providers you are considering and talk about your requirements so you can pick the most suitable for your Internet needs. Check the terms and conditions and ask all your questions so that you can sign up for the best plan. The provider will be the one to coordinate with NBN Co to arrange for the installation of the service.

Top Internet Service Providers in Australia

Some internet providers publish broadband plans that are extremely affordable at first glance. But if you factor in the set-up cost as well as the price of a new modem, these plans aren’t’ cost-effective at all. Here are two of the top providers that do not charge connection fees.

Aussie Broadband

Aussie Broadband is a popular choice since the company consistently provides local support and high evening speeds. The telco boasts that their customers rarely experience congestion at peak times.

Their current plans are customizable. You can pick the data inclusions and speed tiers you would need. You can also choose to sign up for phone service. If you already have your modem, you can use that. If not, you can buy a modem from them for a one-time fee.

Their basic plan offers speeds of up to 12 Mbps and unlimited data for a minimum cost of $59 a month. Their Ultrafast plan reaches NBN 1000 with an unlimited data plan for $119 per month.

The great things about Internet Plans from Aussie Broadband are: You don’t need to sign a lock-in contract. There are no excess data charges. They provide step-by-step setup instructions.

TPG

TPG is one of the country’s largest Internet service providers. They offer ADSL+2 packages as well as standard to Superfast NBN plans. In 2019, it was announced that this telco has the fastest speeds in terms of download among all the existing NBN providers. They offer a month-to-month plan that offers the basic speed of 12 Mbps. It comes with 10GB of data. The cost is $29.99 per month. However, this comes with a $99.95 setup fee.

The cheapest plan you can get that doesn’t have a set-up fee is their TPG 5 Bundle. This offers a speed of 12 Mbps with 10 GB of data. The cost is still $29.99. This has a lock-in period of 6 months.

Their fastest plan with unlimited data is the TPG SL Bundle. The service can reach speeds up to 50 Mbps and is bundled with a Home Phone. The cost is $69.99 per month with a lock-in period of 6 months.

The great things about Internet Plans from Aussie Broadband are: There are no excess data charges.

They provide step-by-step setup instructions.

If speed is essential in your Internet usage, these are the companies that you need to look at.

Optus

Optus is the second-largest and another well-trusted telco in Australia. Recently, this company has been putting a focus on acquiring better content and was able to secure rights to premier sporting events.

Besides the regular broadband plans, they also offer their customers entertainment bundles that include subscriptions to Fetch TV and Optus Sport. Fetch TV gives you access to choice channels while Optus Sport is a sports content streaming service.

Their standard plan offers speeds of up to 50 Mbps and unlimited data for a minimum cost of $75 a month. Their Ultrafast plan reaches 250 Mbps with an unlimited data plan for $165 per month. The downside to the stable Internet connection that Optus provides is that they charge a $99 up-front fee.

The great things about Internet Plans from Optus are: You don’t need to sign a lock-in contract, but you will have to pay for the Ultra WiFi Modem used if you terminate your connection before the end of 36 months. There are no excess data charges.

Telstra

Telstra remains to be the largest telecommunication company in Australia. Admittedly, its service is not as cheap as the ones offered by other providers. However, if you want to experience speedy and reliable internet, you may want to invest in their services.

It is now considered as having the fastest Internet speeds during peak evening hours. All their plans are contract-free so you can change providers at any time. You just need to pay out the value of the modem you will use. This modem comes with a 4g backup for cases when the NBN service goes down.

Their Basic II plan offers speeds of up to 25 Mbps and 500 GB of data for a minimum cost of $75 a month. Their Ultrafast plan reaches 250 Mbps with an unlimited data plan for $130 per month. The great things about Internet Plans from Telstra are: You get the Smart Modem for free if you stay connected with them for 24 months. You don’t have to pay the $99 set-up fee if you sign up online. The plans come with a 3-month subscription to BINGE.

iiNet

iiNet is a great option for those who do not want a phone line to go with their Internet plan. This is known as the Naked DSL service. Plus, all limitless data plans from iiNet come with a Fetch TV box.

iiNet offers 60 different plans but its Basic plan offers speeds of up to 48 Mbps and unlimited data for a minimum cost of $74.99 a month. Their Ultrafast plan reaches 200 Mbps with an unlimited data plan for $99.99 per month for the first 6 months. The great things about Internet Plans from iiNet are: You can use your own modem. There is no activation fee. They offer round-the-clock tech support.

Final Thoughts

This analysis of the service provided by the top broadband Internet providers in the country will help set you in the right direction. If you want a no-contract plan with a zero-set-up fee, it may be best to choose a plan from Aussie Broadband. They have a good track record when it comes to providing stable internet and the monthly fee is very affordable. If you want to go for reliability and speed, nothing can beat Telstra’s service. There is no lock-in fee so if the service is not up to your standards, you can quickly switch providers. The Ultrafast plan is priced reasonably, and they offer the best speeds for peak hours. However, you have to understand that the best for you will still depend on many factors including your location, your internet needs, and your budget.