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One of the newest speed tiers on the National Broadband Network, NBN 1000 or NBN Ultrafast, offers up to 10 times traditional NBN download speeds. There’s a lot to learn about NBN 1000, as these ultrafast speeds come at a premium cost and aren’t currently available to everyone from every NBN provider. However, if you’re interested in learning more about NBN 1000 plans and want to find out if Ultrafast NBN is right for you, you can read more in our guide below.
NBN 1000 is the fastest NBN speed tier available in the country.
Also known as NBN Home Ultrafast, NBN Ultrafast, or Gigabit NBN, NBN Ultrafast is capable of reaching maximum download speeds of 1000Mbps (equal to one whole gigabit).
While NBN Ultrafast is the fastest NBN speed tier available, it’s also the most expensive, and only available at certain NBN connections, so it’s definitely not for everyone!
What's the Difference Between NBN 1000 and NBN Ultrafast? NBN 1000 and NBN Ultrafast are both names for the same NBN speed tier, which can reach maximum theoretical speeds of up to 1000Mbps. This is also known as Gigabit NBN, or NBN Home Ultrafast.
NBN Ultrafast offers a maximum theoretical download speed of 1000Mbps (1Gbps, giving it the name Gigabit NBN), and a maximum upload speed of up to 50Mbps.
However, not every NBN provider that offers NBN Home Ultrafast advertises these speeds. NBN 1000 is the most varied of NBN speed tiers, with providers offering anywhere from 250Mbps maximum download speeds, up to 700Mbps maximum download speeds. This makes it all the more important to compare NBN plans, so you can ensure you’re getting the best plan for your household needs.
NBN Ultrafast, with its full gigabit maximum download speed, can be used for almost anything.
At its maximum download speed, NBN 1000 can:
The long story short is for most downloads, you’ll be able to watch or listen in under a minute, and play a massive video game in less than half an hour. For audiophiles, movie buffs, and intense gamers, this could be a game-changer.
While the maximum theoretical download speed of NBN Ultrafast is 1000Mbps, this doesn’t mean you will always achieve 1000Mbps download speeds.
What is Typical Evening Speed? Most providers display what is known as “Typical Evening Speed” which is the average download speed you can expect during peak busy hours (generally between 7pm and 11pm). During this time, demand on the National Broadband Network is higher, which can lead to slower download speeds across all households.
It’s important to note that when it comes to NBN Ultrafast plans, this speed tier is quite new and not all providers are capable of providing an accurate typical evening speed. In addition, some providers offer NBN Ultrafast plans, but their maximum speed might not be a full 1000Mbps.
If you’re a household with NBN Ultrafast, you can generally expect a typical evening speed between 215Mbps and 250Mbps, though some providers advertise download speeds of up to 700Mbps.
The good news is at this speed tier, unless you’re using your broadband network to frequently download and upload multiple massive files, you probably won’t notice much of a difference between peak and off-peak speeds.
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If you’re considering an NBN 1000 plan, it’s important to compare what’s currently available.
At this speed, you can expect to pay a premium, and you want to be sure your NBN Ultrafast plan is what you need. However, most NBN 1000 plans come with no-contract, so you can always cancel or switch plans if you need, and unlimited data.
If you're looking for an Ultrafast NBN connection, then you should consider the following NBN 1000 plans summarized below:
| Provider & Plan | Cost / Month | Features & Typical Evening Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Aussie Broadband Power House NBN | $149 / month +$149 optional modem (or BYO) | 600Mbps typical evening speed |
| Exetel Lightspeed NBN | $135 / month Modem included if you stay for 6 months | 245Mbps typical evening speed |
| iiNet Ultrafast | $119.99 / month first 6 months $149.99 / month after Modem not included | 200Mbps typical evening speed |
| Internode Ultrafast | $119.99 / month first 6 months $149.99 / month after Modem not included | 200Mbps typical evening speed |
| Kogan Diamond | $139.90 / month +$69 optional modem (or BYO) | 250Mbps typical evening speed |
| MyRepublic Home Ultra-Fast | $105 / month first 6 months $135 / month after +$5 / month modem for 24 months (or BYO) | 350Mbps typical evening speed |
| Optus Home Ultrafast | $139 / month first 6 months $149 / month after Modem included if you stay for 36 months | 250Mbps typical evening speed |
| Telstra Ultrafast | $180 / month Modem included if you stay for 24 months | 700Mbps typical download speed |
| Vodafone Home Ultrafast | $150 / month Modem included if you stay for 24 months | 250Mbps typical evening speed |
| Westnet Ultrafast | $119.99 / month first 6 months $149.99 / month after Modem not included | 200Mbps typical evening speed |
Source: Providers individual websites. Actual offers may vary. Actual speeds may vary. Comparison does not include all providers, products, or plan features. Typical evening speed 7pm-11pm and subject to change. Valid November 2021. NBN Ultrafast only available at select connections.
THE VERDICT: NBN 1000
Selectra's opinions are based on a number of factors including price, inclusions (such as modem), and typical evening speed. Always do your own research before signing up for any broadband plan.
NBN Ultrafast plans might be the fastest broadband plans available, but they’re also the most expensive.
While recent wholesale price changes have made NBN 1000 plans more affordable for the average residential household, you can still expect to pay anywhere between $140 and $180 per month, making it difficult to find a cheap NBN plan at this speed.
Compared to the standard NBN 100 plans, which can cost around $75 to $90 per month, this is a massive price jump. The good news is that most NBN providers allow customers to move up in NBN speed tier for free so if you’re unsure if NBN Home Ultrafast is right for you, consider starting with NBN 100 or NBN Superfast, if one of these plans isn’t fast enough you can request an NBN plan change.
In addition, some internet providers offer new customer discounts for the first six months of service, so you can test out NBN Home Ultrafast at a cheaper rate to find out if it's right for you.
NBN 1000 Modem Cost It’s important to note that Ultrafast NBN also requires a modem that can handle these download speeds which, if yours is not capable of handling NBN 1000, often come at an upfront cost. While some providers, such as Telstra, offer a free modem if you stick with them for 24 months, you can expect to pay anywhere between $140 and $300 upfront for a new modem with other NBN Home Ultrafast providers.
NBN 1000 is only available at certain types of NBN connections.
Not every home has the same type of NBN connection, and not every connection is capable of achieving high-speed broadband such as NBN Ultrafast. However, If your home has a Fibre-to-the-Premise (FTTP) or Hybrid-Coaxial Fibre connection, then you’re probably eligible for NBN Ultrafast.
Due to the use of mixed broadband technologies in Australia other NBN connections such as Fibre-to-the-Node (FTTN) or Fibre-to-the-Curb (FTTC), which still utilise some of the old copper telephone wires from the antiquated ADSL connections, cannot handle such fast download speeds.
With the National Broadband Network rolled out across most of the country, however, NBN Co is working to now upgrade these slower connections.
If you absolutely cannot wait for NBN Co to upgrade your current NBN connection, and get NBN 1000, it is possible to apply for an upgrade either on your own or as a group switch with neighbours. It should be noted, though, that this can easily cost you well over $10,000 for the upgrade and can take more than 6 months to complete.
Looking for an NBN Alternative? Compare 4G and 5G Home Wireless Broadband Plans
As the fastest NBN speed tier currently available, and also the most expensive, NBN 1000 is not for everyone.
Most households, even large households, will find that other speed tiers such as NBN 50, NBN 100, or NBN Superfast, are perfectly suitable for their day-to-day internet habits.
If you’re considering whether gigabit NBN is right for you, you need to ask yourself some of the following questions about your internet habits and household:
If you answered yes to these questions, call our friendly Broadband Experts and get your household set up with an NBN 1000 plan today, or let us help you find the perfect NBN speed tier for you, today.
Looking for a New Internet Plan for Your Home?
Selectra Can Provide Advice & Help You Find The Best Plan
Selectra Can Provide Advice & Help You Find The Best Plan
NBN 1000 is definitely not necessary for every household.
If you’re unsure if gigabit NBN is right for you, consider one of the other available NBN speed tiers available.
Other NBN speed tiers are:
NBN 12 - 12Mbps download/1Mbps upload: The slowest NBN speed currently available, but also some of the cheapest plans. Best for a single-person household and suitable for browsing social media or the web and checking emails on one connected device.
NBN 25 - 25Mbps download/5Mbps upload: Best for small budget-conscious households who still want to watch Netflix in standard definition, connect a few different devices, and browse the web.
NBN 50 - 50Mbps download/20Mbps upload: Best for medium-sized households, who want to stream Netflix in HD, connect multiple devices, and occasionally game online.
NBN 100 - 100Mbps download/20 or 40Mbps upload: Best for large, budget-conscious households who want responsive gaming, work from home, connect multiple devices, and stream in HD.
NBN Superfast- 250Mbps download/25Mbps upload: Only available for certain NBN connections. Best for professional gamers, large households who don’t want to fight over bandwidth, and people who need a reliable internet connection to frequently download and upload large files.
NBN Speed Tier | What Are These Speeds Good For? |
|---|---|
| NBN 12 12Mbps/1Mbps |
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| NBN 25 25Mbps/5Mbps |
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| NBN 50 50Mbps/20Mbps |
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| NBN 100 100Mbps/40Mbps |
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| NBN Superfast 250Mbps/25Mbps |
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| NBN Ultrafast 1000Mbps/40Mbps |
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