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Same network, three things that actually differ
Australia has dozens of internet providers, but they almost all sell access to the same network: the NBN. That is good news, because it means the choice comes down to three things you can actually compare, the speed tier you buy, the price after any intro discount, and the quality of support when something goes wrong. Use the speed finder on the right to size your plan, then browse every provider below, from the big three to the challenger telcos that often beat them on value.
Why the underdogs win so often: because the NBN line into your home is identical no matter who bills you, a smaller telco competes on the bits it controls. It buys enough network capacity to keep evening speeds high, prices below the majors, and answers the phone faster. That is why challengers like Superloop and Exetel sit right alongside the big three here, often ahead of them on value.
How to choose
Three questions before you pick a provider
Answer these and the shortlist almost writes itself.
What speed do you need?
NBN 50 suits most small homes, NBN 100 a busy household streaming, gaming and working at once. Only heavy 4K and big downloads justify NBN 250 or 1000. The finder above sizes it for you.
What is the ongoing price?
Most plans dangle a six-month intro discount, then step up. Compare the price after the promotion ends, not the headline, because that is what you will pay for most of the year.
How good is the support?
On a shared network, support and evening speeds are the real differentiators. Australian-based help and high typical evening speeds are worth paying a little more for when the connection drops.
Compare providers
Every NBN provider, grouped by type
Independent profiles of the major telcos, the value-driven challengers, and the specialists for regional and remote homes.
Major networks
Challenger & value telcos
Tangerine
Consistently among the cheapest NBN, with big new-customer discounts and a 14-day trial.
Superloop
Fast typical evening speeds and sharp pricing, a favourite of value-seekers.
Exetel
A long-running challenger telco known for speeds that meet or beat the advertised tier.
Mate
Aussie-owned, simple no-lock-in NBN with local support.
More Telecom
Low-cost NBN with long-running price-lock promotions.
Kogan Internet
Budget NBN from the online retailer, billed simply with no lock-in.
Belong
Simple NBN with free activation and a bundled mobile SIM, on Telstra's network.
Internode
A veteran ISP with a strong reputation for support and reliability.
MyRepublic
Gamer-friendly plans and gigabit speed tiers for heavy households.
Uniti
Fibre and fixed-wireless networks across selected estates and regions.
BroadConnect
Home and business NBN with a service-first focus.
Move Up Internet
No-fuss NBN plans with straightforward, transparent pricing.
EnergyAustralia
Bundle your NBN with energy for a single bill and member discounts.
Regional & satellite
Activ8me
Specialist in Sky Muster satellite and fixed-wireless NBN for rural and remote homes.
SkyMesh
Satellite and fixed-wireless NBN built for regional and remote Australia.
Southern Phone
Regional-focused telco with no-contract NBN and satellite for remote customers.
Westnet
A long-standing ISP with bundled home phone and email, part of the iiNet group.
The network behind them all
Keep exploring
More ways to get the right connection
Check your current speed, brush up on the NBN, or sort the rest of your home services.
Internet & NBN guides
The mother hub: how the NBN works, the technology at your address, and every broadband guide.
ExploreTest your speed
Run a live speed test to see what you are actually getting before you switch.
ExploreMobile plans
Sort your phone plan too, or compare 5G home wireless as an NBN alternative.
ExploreCommon questions
A Selectra expert answers your questions on NBN providers
There is no single winner, because the network is shared. Challenger telcos like Superloop, Exetel and Aussie Broadband consistently rate well for speed and support, while the big three (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone) trade a higher price for reach and bundles. The best provider is the one that hits your speed tier at the lowest ongoing price with support you can live with.
NBN 50 suits most small households, and NBN 100 is the comfortable choice for a busy home streaming, gaming and working at once. Only heavy 4K, very large downloads or many simultaneous users justify NBN 250 or 1000. The speed finder above sizes it from your household and usage.
Often, yes. Many providers let you bring your own modem (BYO), though some configure it for you or include a modem with a contract. Check that your modem is compatible with your NBN connection type before you switch, and weigh any setup fee against a free included unit.
They run on the same NBN, so the underlying line is identical. What differs is the amount of network capacity a provider buys (which shapes evening speeds) and the quality of support. Several challengers publish faster typical evening speeds than the majors, which is why they feature so strongly here.
NBN Co builds and wholesales the network: the poles, fibre and fixed-wireless infrastructure. It does not sell to you directly. Retail providers buy access from NBN Co and package it into the plans you actually pay for, which is why you choose a provider but never choose NBN Co.