Which nbn/Internet Plan to Get for Couple

Lthethinker on 23/11/2021 - 22:02
Last edited 04/12/2021 - 16:41

Hi all!

Me and my partner are moving out of a houseshare situation, and into our own rental property.

I wonder if ozbargainers can help me navigate which internet plan would be best value for money for us.

It's just the two of us (and our cat, who I suspect will not be using too much internet).
We probably need about 100GB data per month, reliable connection and good speeds.
There'll be some WFH, but mostly internet will be used for media and communication.
I'd ideally be paying maximum of $70 a month between us.

Can ozbargain help us with deciding the best plan to go for, to suit our needs?

Many thanks in advance!

EDIT: thanks everyone. With all your input, I've settled on superloop. Then might change to someone else after 6 months. You've been super helpful!

Internet Broadband nbn

Comments

  • El cheepo on 23/11/2021 - 22:09

    Do you have a shortlist of possible selections or hoping for one made up for you?
    What are good speeds for your needs?

    • thethinker on 23/11/2021 - 22:17

      I really don't know much about speeds.
      Is there a big difference in speeds across the providers nowadays? In the ADSL days they all seemed pretty equivalent from memory.

      • El cheepo on 23/11/2021 - 22:25
        +2

        We use aussie bb nbn on a low plan and it suits our needs fine.
        $65/m
        500gb
        25/10 down/upload speeds

        Its enough for some wfh and plenty of streaming, but we get a pretty stable 20/9 average speed

  • boomramada on 23/11/2021 - 22:12
    -3

    Iinet/tpg is best value for money but Ozb are cashed up and they would recommend you Aussie Broadband.

    • thethinker on 23/11/2021 - 22:17

      Is there a noticeable difference between these options?

      • boomramada on 23/11/2021 - 22:22

        Price lol

        Serious note, I been using Iinet for years and it just work, although I don't play games, just steaming and download movies.

        But Iinet mobile aka Vodafaile sux goat balls.

        • thethinker on 23/11/2021 - 23:18
          +1

          yah vodafone don't seem to have the best reputation

    • tight-ass on 23/11/2021 - 23:28
      +2

      iinet/TPG will be great until you have a need to call them.

      Wait times were regularly 1hr minimum when I had a need to call them for the 1st time after being with them for nearly 15 years…..this was just before COVID-19 existed.

      The bulk of their call centre staff are based in South Africa and the shitty quality of their VOIP lines meant your call would often disconnect with them. If the call dropped when speaking to someone they also didn't call you back. So what should have been a quick call/simple fix ends up taking several calls and hours wasted.

      When the call didn't drop out the quality was very poor, making a conversation with them really hard. Also many of the staff didn't speak English very well.

      I happily pay more with Aussie Broadband knowing wait times are rare, call centres are based in Oz & their staff are suitably trained.

      • thethinker on 23/11/2021 - 23:31
        +3

        Wow ppl really do like Aussie broadband! I might have to check them out

        • hairybum on 24/11/2021 - 08:00
          +2

          I have been with ABB since the NBN came to town in 2018, with 40 year old Telstra copper with degrading insulation causing lots of issues, and being almost a kilometre from the nearest NBN node, I can certainly attest to the superb customer support when needed. Their level of communication with customers is also superb.

  • jug123 on 23/11/2021 - 22:18

    We (couple) have FTTP and use TPG 25mbs, unlimted for $59,99 a mth. Works a treat for 2 of us WFH & streaming at night

    • AlienC on 03/04/2022 - 03:35

      What's do you do for work and your missus.. Must be nice to not have to lift a finger all day

      • jug123 on 03/04/2022 - 20:01

        yep, its great

        • AlienC on 03/04/2022 - 20:35

          Tell us more or is it illegal

  • Jolakot on 23/11/2021 - 23:00
    +1

    I'd check if you can get 5G home internet in your area, most providers are offering $75 a month for unlimited data and 100mbps speeds (likely to get bumped up for free as capacity grows), which is damn good for the price

    • thethinker on 23/11/2021 - 23:12

      is 5G internet better than NBN? I'm in melbourne (north fitzroy), so I suspect it should work. But it's pretty residential and i haven't sighted any 5G towers …

      • Russ on 24/11/2021 - 02:10

        Latency is worse, and sometimes there will be occasions where the internet just won't respond for 5-10 seconds. This is true for both 4G and 5G fixed internet, because the networks treat fixed customers as second-class. Mobile customers are treated as first class, but of course they're paying much more for their data.

        If you want a budget NBN service, FlipConnect have an unlimited 12/1 NBN service for $44.90/month, and usually they have a discount deal for the first few months. If one of you qualifies as a senior, there are a few seniors plans around, for about $40/month, but not with unlimited data AFAIK.

        FlipConnect also have faster plans, e.g. unlimited 25/5 is $54.90/month - again with discount deals for the first months.

    • thethinker on 23/11/2021 - 23:30

      Actually just checked. Not available. Damn

      • exulted on 24/11/2021 - 07:13

        Don't muck around bro. Check Telstra 5g, should be available for North Fitzroy, often where Optus isn't. $85 gets ya 500GB and great speeds. Portable modem too. Then get woolworths $25 sim cards for both of you and bank up to 300GB for emergencies.

        • Ade99 on 24/11/2021 - 08:31

          Telstra are now selling 1TB for $85 pm. So far all good with the connection.

        • thethinker on 24/11/2021 - 20:27

          according to Telstra website, not available :( sadly i was quite interested in this.

  • Qazxswec on 23/11/2021 - 23:09

    TPG - $70 NBN 50mbps UNLIMITED, Wireless Broadband $55 20mbps UNLIMITED(First month FREE), 5G $70 100mbps UNLIMITED(First month FREE)

    • thethinker on 23/11/2021 - 23:17

      TPG seems promising. I remember though I used to have TPG ADSL a few years back and it was a complete nightmare. I hope their service has improved!

      • zerocritical on 24/11/2021 - 07:26
        +2

        I had so many bad experiences with TPG for both internet and mobile services in past that I'll not go anywhere near them.

        Check Aussie BB or Superloop. Have been super happy with them

  • Qazxswec on 23/11/2021 - 23:27
    +1

    There are so many bad reviews on the internet for TPG but i've got to say, i've used them for 20 years and it has always been superfast and reliable, i can only speak for what i have experienced though, maybe it depends where you live

  • Morien on 24/11/2021 - 01:02

    Pick whoever, BYO router, go no contract, churn at will.

    • Russ on 24/11/2021 - 02:20

      Pick whoever, BYO router

      Many providers require that you buy the router from them, for example Belong. And it's locked to them, so you can't use it if you churn to another provider.

      • postman on 24/11/2021 - 08:40

        Using belong, free router for 12 months contract, 55$/month, but still using my own router without problem.

  • council on 24/11/2021 - 09:10

    I've been with iinet for 8 years, moving house and having different connections (FTTP, FTTN, HFC, back to FTTN).

    Connection type depends on your property/location.

    I'd choose TPG ($69.99 p/m @ NBN50 50mbps download, 20mbps upload, unlimited data) or its slightly more expensive sibling ($74.99 p/m for the same).

    We have 3 laptops, 1 desktop, 6 phones a TV and home security cams all connected just fine.

    • thethinker on 24/11/2021 - 20:24

      IINET must also depend upon location etc. I recall being with them some 4 years ago, and their service was atrocious. I hope it's better now! The deal certainly sounds good!

  • avoidfullprice on 24/11/2021 - 10:27
    +1

    Like some other comments, it depends what quality of customer service you need if you experience a problem with your home network, or the NBN network.

    With your use case description, start off on a 25mbps 1-month contract plan. You prob need a few months to gauge early next year.

    Provider wise, I found ABB, Superloop and Exetel customer service acceptable. I know how to troubleshoot my router on my own thou.

    Next step is search for deals out of the above three RSP and see if you get further referral benefit. For example with superloop https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/641893

  • idjces on 24/11/2021 - 14:13

    superloop and aussie seem to be best rated in terms of support, and technical features ("static" ipv4 for port forwarding, ipv6 support, etc)

    Superloop 50/20 unlimited is $70 ongoing, less with upfront discounts

    • thethinker on 24/11/2021 - 20:25

      Aussie just seem to be an obsession around here! I think I might have to seriously consider them.

  • 82norm on 24/11/2021 - 14:33

    Tangerine… 93 down/20 up $80.00 per month.

    • thethinker on 24/11/2021 - 20:33

      may be just out of our budget…

  • Bunsen on 25/11/2021 - 03:05
    +1

    Superloop 50/20 $54.95 for 6 mths.

    I used them without issue then found a deal with Exetel 50/20 for $50/mth for 6mths (which expires in about a mth).

    Both those plans are unlimited & still use my TPG NBN Modem.

  • Ruprect on 29/11/2021 - 19:51

    Since you don't need a lot of data I would highly recommend Future Broadband as they have data plans which are cheaper compared to unlimited. Other benefits are, you get a static IP address which is great for some games and if you have security cameras. They also allow data banking so if you don't use all your data you can bank it and use it later. They are a small Perth based company but service the whole nation and from personal experience, I'm in regional Victoria, its super reliable, never any slowdowns or issues.
    They do have a referral scheme that can offset the small sign up fee and you get extra free data in your data bank.

    • thethinker on 01/12/2021 - 06:59

      I'm just not sure what 600GB of data translates to. Do you ever run out, and if so with what sort of use?

  • Ruprect on 01/12/2021 - 08:54
    +1

    It is hard to equate unless you monitor your own usage. I use closer to the 1000GB myself, one person who streams (netflix, kayo etc) for a couple of hours every night and does download some files at other times.

    Data banking however… they give you 2000GB in the bank free to start with so when I save up enough extra I move back down to the 600 plan and just use up the data in the bank going over that which often takes several months.

    The other thing they don't advertise is, if you pay several months in advance they will give you a further discount. I think its about 7% extra off but you can only do that once a customer and you see the option in the change plan section of their portal.

    Future are not for everyone, I think most of their clients are modest internet users but like the idea of a stable business like connection, good all day speeds and routed static IP.

    The downside is they have very limited support hours. Mostly business hours (perth time) but after several years on FTTN so far I not had to use it. When I first joined I needed some help and they answered the phone instantly and helped so there was that. I've had a few questions over the time but I use the website 'chat' and that's worked well.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join