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NBN Plans
What you need to know when comparing Australia’s National Broadband Network internet plans.
We’ve heard a lot about Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) over the past few years. The network is currently being constructed and if you don’t have access to it already, you will shortly. In order to maximize your Internet experience, you’ll need to connect to the NBN. This means choosing the NBN plan that’s right for you and your household.
Because people use the internet in very different ways, most service providers will offer a range of NBN plans to suit a variety of needs. For example, if you regularly download big files or stream TV shows in HD, it’s likely that you’ll need an NBN plan that comes with lots of data and delivers faster speeds. Conversely, if you’re just using the internet for emails and general browsing, you’ll probably be able to get away with a simpler plan that doesn’t come with all the bells and whistles.
The important thing to remember is that choosing the right NBN plan doesn’t have to be difficult. And at iSelect, we’ll do whatever we can to help you find the perfect plan for you.
Have The NBN Speed Tiers And Plans Changed?
Yes, the NBN speed tiers and plan names have changed. This was established by the ACCC1 in an effort to create greater transparency around how NBN plans and speeds were presented to consumers. In a nutshell, the goal of the changes are to give you a better idea of the minimum internet speeds you can expect during peak periods for you plan.
The Different NBN Speed Plans Available
There are four main NBN internet speed tiers available to consumers1. They’ve replaced the previous NBN tiers such as NBN25, and NBN50. As mentioned earlier, this was to give consumers a clearer idea of what internet speeds they could expect during peak times on the different plans. Below is a brief breakdown of each plan, and the kind of user they may be well-suited for.
| Old NBN Speed Tiers | New NBN Speed Tiers | Best Suited For | Minimum Speeds During Peak Times 7PM-11PM |
| NBN 12 | Basic Evening Speed | General online browsing. | Maximum 15Mbps |
| NBN 25 | Standard Evening Speed | People living in residential areas streaming across a range of devices. | Minimum 15Mbps |
| NBN 50 | Standard Plus Evening Speed | People who require more advanced levels of internet speed. | Minimum 30Mbps |
| NBN 100 | Premium Evening Speed | Households streaming ultra-high definition movies/shows, online gaming etc. | Minimum 60Mbps |
Basic Evening Speed: Maximum 15Mbps
This is an entry level NBN plan. It’s most suited for general online browsing, but not for high definition streaming, or for online gaming.
Standard Evening Speed: Minimum 15Mbps
This is typically considered a plan most suited for people in residential areas. It’s ideal for households using the internet across a range of devices, and using those devices those devices for streaming high definition shows or movies.
Standard Plus Evening Speed: Minimum 30Mbps
The Standard Plus Evening Speed plan is ideal for people who require a more advanced level of internet speed. This may be for you if yourself or the people you live with are streaming ultra-high definition movies, whilst also streaming music and videos.
Premium Evening Speed: Minimum 60Mbps
This is the most advanced NBN speed plan. At a minimum of 60Mbps during peak periods, it’s ideal for people or households that are streaming ultra-high definition movies and TV shows, as well as online gaming (where high speed is crucial for the user experience), all during peak periods.
Ready to find the NBN plan that’s right for you?
At iSelect we can help you discover an NBN plan that’s right for your needs and lifestyle. You can start comparing right away on our site, or feel free to give us a call on 13 19 20.
We do not compare all plans in the market. Not all plans are available at all times.
Sources:
1. ACCC
https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/national-broadband-network/broadband-speeds#broadband-speed-claims