NBN Benefits

How does the NBN compare to ADSL? 

The key difference between ADSL and NBN is how they connect us to the Internet. ADSL uses copper telephone lines to give us a basic broadband performance with speeds ranging from 256kbps to 25Mbps. NBN, on the other hand, uses fibre cables (and sometimes a little of the existing copper telephone lines, depending on the connection type) to get speeds of more than 800Mbps. Some more remote locations may access the NBN via satellite or radio signals and still achieve speeds of 25Mbps or more. 

Essentially, the NBN is the latest technology to connect you to the Internet, bringing with it faster connections and improved performance. For example, in December 2023, fixed line and fixed wireless NBN connections loaded pages in an average of 3.3 seconds or less.¹Australian Competition and Consumer Commission – Broadband performance data ,²As above 

As the NBN continues to roll out, more premises will no longer be able to access ADSL. You can check if your home is NBN ready by using the NBN Co website. 

How does the NBN benefit Australians? 

Sure, being able to play Wordle in bed is pretty great but there’s so much more that the NBN makes possible. 

• Ability to work and study from home: Approximately one in three NBN users work from home, with the majority saying it wouldn’t be possible without the NBN.³NBN Co – Life in the fast lane pays off for NBN customers, p1 Here’s to a better work–life balance! 
• Greater life satisfaction: 75% of NBN users say that having a reliable, secure and fast NBN connection has helped them maintain or improve their overall life satisfaction.⁴NBN Co – The social network: NBN customers reflect on healthier, happier, more enriching quality of life, p1
• Feel connected: Forget FOMO when you can share news, information and good times with friends, family and your local community online easily.  
• Convenient healthcare experiences: Being able to access telehealth appointments and online medical information and resources can help you look after your health without needing to take the day off work. 
• Greater choice in Internet Plans: As the NBN has a range of speed tiers available, Australians can choose plans that deliver them better value.   

How does the NBN enable smart devices? 

From smartphones to Internet-enabled lightbulbs, our homes can be packed with technology that can do more when connected to the NBN. 

For starters, that improved connection with faster speeds can mean less interruptions when you’re scrolling or streaming, even if multiple devices are online at your place. This includes improved latency and loading — you’ll likely have less buffering and juddering when it gets to the tense part of a movie or when you’re taking part in a busy online meeting. 

If you’re into smart tech, the NBN can also help you to automate your home for convenience and security. Going out of town but can’t remember if you locked the door? Simply use the app to check your WiFi-enabled smart lock and enjoy your holiday. Gone to bed but remembered you left the lights on downstairs? You can use an app to turn them off without having to find that comfy position again. The NBN allows you to do things like this because it can support multiple devices on a network seamlessly.  

What are the economic benefits of the NBN? 

From 2012–2022, it’s estimated the NBN allowed for such serious productivity benefits that it added a total $122 billion in GDP. And things are only going to get bigger and better with a further $399 billion predicted for the 2023–2030 period.⁵NBN Co – The economic and social impact of investing in the NBN network, p3 But what does that mean for you? 

Well, if you’re using the NBN to manage your work and personal admin online, you could be saving $1,800 annually on travel costs. Given the average NBN user pays $880 for the service each year that’s still a decent saving.⁶NBN Co – Life in the fast lane pays off for NBN customers, p1

For those running small businesses, particularly in regional and remote areas, there’s also lots of joy to be had. With the NBN, you may be able to find ways to reduce costs and become more efficient. Additionally, you could increase your revenue by accessing new markets. Transitioning from slow ADSL and enjoying greater connectivity, particularly if you’re business is physically isolated, could make a big difference in your business’ routine.  

Where can I find and compare NBN Plans? 

If you’re keen to see how the NBN could change your day to day for the better, iSelect, with the help of CIMET, is here to make it easy. We can help you compare a range of NBN Internet Plans from different providers using our convenient online comparison tool.