Whether you just moved to Australia or you’ve lived here your whole life and need a new internet plan, you’ve got some shopping to do. With the numerous internet packages and providers available, finding the best internet plan for you can be challenging. You may even be wondering, “Who provides internet in Australia?” Today, we’ll be answering that question and covering a few other essentials you need to know when shopping for internet in Australia.
Who are Australia’s internet providers?
One of the most crucial choices you’ll make for your home is your internet plan. There are many internet providers to choose from in Australia. However, we’ll cover the top six internet providers below:
- Belong
- Origin Broadband
- Aussie Broadband
- Harbour ISP
- Optus
- My Republic
Each of these providers offers a wide variety of plans to suit your unique needs.
What internet plans are available in Australia?
Before you choose between the above providers, you should understand the different kinds of internet packages available to you. There are plenty of different ways to connect to the internet in Australia. However, that doesn’t mean they’re all available at your address. The most common way to connect your home is through the National Broadband Network (NBN). The NBN is Australia’s newest way to connect to the internet and has drastically improved internet speeds across the country. In addition, there are several ways to connect to the NBN.
The first way is through optical fibre. Optical fibre involves connecting your home to a high-bandwidth fibre-optic cable. These cables can be both underground or in overhead power lines. Fibre-optic cable is the most popular option for connecting via NBN, as the connection stays more consistent than other methods. Although, fibre-optic cable is not as readily available as other methods. To be sure if your home is compatible, check if Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) or Fibre to the Node (FTTN) is available at your address.
The next way to connect via NBN is through coaxial cables. Coaxial cable connects to the internet the same way your television’s coaxial cable connects to your cable provider. Fixed wireless internet is another option that uses the same methods as a mobile phone to connect to the web. However, fixed wireless NBN internet is usually only available in rural areas. Finally, satellite connections are the last way to connect with the NBN. Satellite internet utilizes two Sky Muster satellites to beam data to your modem. Although, satellite internet is currently the slowest way to connect and is only an option for the most remote parts of Australia.
The last way to get internet at your home is with an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL). ADSL and ADSL2+, an updated, faster version of ADSL, connect your home to the internet using a modem and phone line. ADSL and ADSL2+ are also not NBN internet plans.
Compare plans and providers to find the best internet for your house.
Now that you know who provides internet and what plans are available, you’ll need to make some comparisons to find the best package for your needs. So, you’ll need to consider a few different factors.
First, you should consider how fast of a connection you need. For example, if you work from home or have a large family, you’ll need faster speeds to accommodate your needs. Second, consider speed shaping. Speed shaping is when some providers slow your rate once you’ve reached a monthly data limit. This limit may not be an issue if you don’t use much data. However, if you plan on using large amounts of data, you should check this limit. Finally, consider reliability. There’s nothing worse than watching the season finale of your favorite show and the internet cutting out at the climax. Some providers offer a Service Level Agreement (SLA) to guarantee a predetermined performance level.
Pick a provider and start surfing the web.
With the various providers, plans, and factors to consider, you should have no trouble narrowing your internet search down. Remember to consider speed, speed shaping, and reliability when choosing an internet package.
