Whether you’re looking for a new broadband internet plan, or wondering if you should upgrade your current one, the chances are good that the question is the same. Namely, what is the best NBN plan?
With the sheer number of NBN broadband plans available, it’s no surprise that the average user can feel overwhelmed when it’s time to choose a plan. Fortunately, you can narrow down your choices by keeping several factors in mind when you shop around.
Connection Type
In metro areas, there are five fixed-line connection types used to connect homes to the NBN. These are Fibre-to-the-Basement (FTTB), Fibre-to-the-Curb (FTTC), Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC), Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN), and Fibre-to-the-Premises (FTTP). Meanwhile, in more rural areas where properties are widespread or a lack of infrastructure needed for fixed-line connections, fixed wireless and satellite connections are used instead.
Before looking at all the different plans offered by various internet service providers, know what kind of connection type you have. Plans at certain speed tiers won’t be available for all connection types, so knowing what yours is will eliminate the plans you can’t even use right off the bat.
Household Size
The number of users simultaneously connected can and will affect everyone’s internet speed. So if you have a small household (up to three people), you won’t need fast internet, and you can narrow your choices to plans in the NBN50 speed tier and below. On the other hand, if you have a bigger household (at least four people), plans in the NBN50 speed tier and up are your best bet. That way, no one experiences a big drop in internet speed.
Online Activities
Different online activities use different amounts of data. For example, browsing the internet only uses up 60MB an hour, while online gaming can use anywhere from 3MB to 1GB an hour. Meanwhile, video streaming can use from 300MB to 1GB an hour, depending on the platform and the video quality.
Most – if not all – ISPs currently offer plans with unlimited data, so this isn’t a big problem. However, it’s still crucial that you take into account what you do online. For example, someone with many online meetings through Zoom or a similar platform will need more speed than someone who just needs to check their email and browse websites.
Cost
Once you have a list of ISPs and the plans they offer that suit your and your household’s needs, you can compare them to find one that fits your budget well. Whether this is the cheapest plan or the one that offers the best value is up to you.
For example, if you live in a two-person household and you’re looking for the cheapest NBN50 plan, you’d ultimately go with Tangerine, since the plan goes for $54.90 a month for the first six months, then $69.90 per month after that.
On the other hand, if you have a bigger household with at least one online gamer, Telstra’s Unlimited + Premium Internet plan would be one of your best options. This plan is at the NBN100 speed tier, and costs $95 a month for the first 12 months, then $110 per month after that.
Whatever plan you end up choosing, don’t forget to check the terms and conditions, too. For instance, discounts may apply only to new customers, or you may have to pay a termination fee if you switch providers a month or so into your new plan. However, as long as you keep the above four factors in mind, you’ll have no problems finding the best NBN plan for you.
