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VPNs for ad-blocking With that said, there are a few key data points we can compare that paint a picture of what it’s like being a customer on either network. Optus still has the upper hand when it comes to price, and has better typical evening download speeds according to ACCC’s broadband speed test program. With that said, Telstra beats Optus when it comes to customer experience and stability. While the ACCC reports that Optus customers experience better speeds and fewer outages on average, its reports also show that Telstra outperforms Optus in terms of latency and web page loading time. The rise of home wireless broadband plans has also reignited the fierce rivalry between Australia’s telcos as more and more users choose to rely on 4G mobile speeds for their home internet connection. And with the 5G network slowly creeping its way into major Australian cities, the broadband battle is starting to heat up again. Before we kick things off, here’s a quick glimpse at the most popular NBN internet plans from Telstra and Optus. There are a few important differences to note, however. Telstra’s NBN plans are genuinely contract-free. If you leave within your first two years, you’ll just need to return your modem to avoid paying a non-return fee. Optus’ NBN plans are technically contract-free, but have a big catch. If you leave within your first 36 months, you’ll need to pay out the prorated value of your modem. This is equivalent to $7 for each month left in your three-year term on a standard plan, or $13 per month on an Entertainer plan. There are also differences when it comes to speeds on offer. Optus offers NBN 50 (Standard), NBN 100 (Fast), NBN 250 (Superfast), and NBN 1000 (Ultrafast) plans. Here’s how much each will set you back. Check out the prices for each speed tier below. Compared to just about every other provider in Australia, Telstra’s cheapest plan is incredibly poor value, offering NBN 25 speeds for $80 per month. The NBN rollout has lured an army of smaller broadband providers out of the woodwork and they’re just as viable as Telstra and Optus, at a much lower price. We recommend Tangerine for a flexible and affordable NBN 50 plan with unlimited data. For the cheapest of the cheap, you can’t go past SpinTel’s unlimited basic speed plan. And if you want premium speed with a friendly price tag, don’t look past MATE. Sick of researching? These are the most cheap NBN 50 plans this week according to WhistleOut’s comparison engine. Optus customers taking up an Entertainer plan will get a Netflix standard subscription included at no extra cost through the telco’s SubHub platform. Entertainer plans also include a WiFi Booster, which could be helpful for larger homes. While Optus Sport is no longer included for free, all Optus customers can get it at a discounted rate of $6.99 per month. Non-customers pay $24.99 per month. CVC is essentially a bandwidth currency. If a provider has purchased enough CVC in your area, you shouldn’t experience much congestion, and as a result, faster speeds. If the provider has underestimated the bandwidth it needs in an area, its customers may experience congestion and slower speeds. We’ve got more information on CVC in our guide to NBN speeds. Thankfully, there are a few institutions reporting on the performance of Australian ISPs. Most notably, the ACCC and Netflix. Optus was ever so slightly faster in terms of web page load time and latency. In both cases, the differences are so minimal we wouldn’t expect them to make much of a real-world difference. Optus did however rack up more outages (lasting more than 30 seconds) than Telstra. Optus customers, on average, experience one outage every three or so days, versus one every five or so days on Telstra. In terms of Netflix’s tracking program, the two providers are neck-and-neck. If the NBN still isn’t available (or isn’t reliable) in your area, home wireless broadband is a solid alternative. Optus even offer 5G home wireless plans in selected areas for as little as $79 with unlimited data. Optus’ cheapest 5G home internet plan has speeds capped to 100Mbps, but it also has an uncapped option for a little extra each month. Just note that if you leave within your first 36 months, you’ll need to pay out a prorated modem fee. This is equivalent to $16 for each month left in your three-year term. Telstra’s 5G home internet plan is completely contract-free. If you’re unhappy, you can leave at any time. You simply need to send back your modem to avoid paying a non-return fee. So as not to distract from its fixed-line range, Optus used to throttle the speed on its home wireless broadband plans (meaning you couldn’t take full advantage of 4G speeds). That’s not the case anymore, but you still can’t purchase a 4G home wireless plan with unlimited data. Optus also offers 5G home wireless broadband deals to customers with 5G coverage. Interestingly, these actually do come with unlimited data. Optus offers a little more bang for your buck when it comes to bundles; Fetch might not be the most favourable entertainment option, but it does offer 4K streaming, scheduled recording, and 1 premium channel pack fetch (Vibe, Knowledge, Kids or Variety). However, Telstra offers more bundling options, with Telstra TV and Xbox One console add-ons available. Both providers’ branded modems offer 4G backup these days (to cover you in the event of an outage) but user reviews suggest Telstra’s Smart WiFi Modem is the more popular choice. 4G backup allows your modem to switch to the mobile network via a SIM card in the event of a fixed-line outage. Telstra charges a premium but doesn’t show a whole lot for it (the exception being their 5G home internet plan). If you’re after quality service at a cheaper price, Optus offers much better value and should satisfy most users.
