Just because it’s the most popular — and perhaps easiest — way to connect to the internet, it doesn’t mean you have to use NBN for your home internet. In this guide, we’ll cover those questions: is NBN compulsory and why do we need NBN for internet, along with any alternatives available.
Is NBN compulsory and do I need NBN for internet?
If you’re wondering do I need NBN for internet and is NBN compulsory, the short answer is no, the NBN is not compulsory in that no one can make you connect to the network. But it does mean you could be left without fixed-line internet for your home. While NBN Co may have already installed the network in your area, it doesn’t mean you have to have an NBN plan or use the NBN for your home internet.
However, any pre-existing ADSL and telephone lines connected to your property prior to NBN installation will be turned off after 18 months as this old technology is being phased out. So, if you’re using an ADSL broadband plan, you’ll need to switch to another service (although not necessarily the NBN) to continue accessing the internet at home.
Reasons why you might not want the NBN
In the initial stages of the rollout, you might have heard some stories or complaints about NBN connections that leave you wondering ‘do I need NBN’. Disappointment in slow internet speeds may have been part of the complaints, but with NBN Co rolling out a free NBN fibre upgrade program, those slower NBN connections are being upgraded to give millions of Aussie homes access to faster speeds. However, you might not want NBN because:
- You’ve heard bad stories about the connection process
- You’re disappointed by the type of connection in your area
- You already have an alternative, or want to wait for one to become available
- You simply don’t want an NBN connection box installed on your property
But you’ll have to weigh up the pros and cons, as well as any other options, before deciding which option is best for you.
Why do we need NBN?
While the NBN has caught a lot of flak over the years, regarding disappointing download speeds, connection woes and drop-outs, it’s still overall a much better service than its ADSL counterpart. NBN is generally much faster, making your home internet faster and more reliable, especially during high-usage activities like video streaming and online gaming, and the experience is even better if you connect to one of the super-fast NBN speed tiers. Working from home and study should also be much more efficient on an NBN connection, especially if you join lots of conference calls.
However, despite these criticisms, attitudes towards NBN have changed over the years. To give you can idea of what other Aussies think about the NBN, a Canstar Blue survey conducted in 2023 of more than 4,000 NBN customers found that:
- 34% switched over to the NBN as soon as it was available in their area
- 45% found the process of switching to the NBN easy
- 9% recommend that people stick to their old cable/ADSL connection for as long as possible instead of switching to the NBN
- 6% are considering ditching the NBN for another type of internet service (such as 4G/5G home internet)
Compare NBN Plans
To connect to the NBN, you’ll need to sign up to an NBN plan. There are a range of speed tiers to choose from, with each tier catering for a different internet usage needs. Keep in mind that faster speeds also mean more expensive plans.
Unlimited NBN 100 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 50 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 50 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 25 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 25 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 12 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 12 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Do I need NBN: What happens if I don’t switch to the NBN?
If you don’t switch to the NBN after its installation and activation in your suburb, you’ll have 18 months before the area’s ADSL and phone line services are disconnected. This is because the technology is being phased out and replaced by the NBN’s fixed-line fibre network.
Services that will be permanently shut off due to the NBN rollout include:
- All home and landline phone services delivered over Telstra’s copper phone lines
- All ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2+ internet services
- Telstra BigPond cable internet
- Optus cable internet and cable home phone
If you’re using any of the above, you’ll need to find an alternative internet service within 18 months of the NBN going live in your area, which may have already happened. If you’re a landline phone user, you won’t have to give up your home phone: you can simply move to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) home line, either via your NBN connection or through another VoIP provider.
If you’re already using a phone or internet service that isn’t included above, you should be able to stick with your plan and provider after ADSL, cable and home phone lines are disconnected. Services that fall into this category include private or non-government fibre networks, or cable networks that aren’t owned by Optus or Telstra. More information about these NBN alternative providers can be found below.
However, there is an exception to the ADSL and phone line switch-off. If your home is designated to be connected to the NBN via Fixed Wireless or SkyMuster satellite, rather than a fixed-line fibre connection, your existing home phone service won’t be disconnected (unless you’d prefer to move to a VoIP plan).
What else could be impacted by switching to the NBN?
Aside from your old internet connection, other services that may be impacted by a switch to the NBN include:
- Fire alarms and home security systems
- Medical alarms
- Elevator emergency phones
- EFTPOS and health claims terminals
- Fax machines and teletypewriter devices
If any of these apply to you, speak with your service, alarm or device provider about your options before switching to the NBN.
Do I need NBN for internet: NBN Alternatives
If you’re certain you don’t want to connect to the NBN, here are your other options.
Home Wireless Broadband
Home wireless broadband is one of the best and widely available alternatives to the NBN. It uses 4G and 5G mobile networks to connect to the internet (much like your smartphone) and provides your home with a broadband connection. Home wireless broadband, sometimes called 4G home internet or 5G home internet, uses a plug-in modem/router, and isn’t designed to be portable. As these plans are offered as a home internet alternative to NBN, you’ll often find unlimited data is available on these plans.
5G Wireless Broadband Plans
TPG 5G Home Internet Plans
The following table shows a selection of published TPG 5G home broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $69.99 over first month |
Unlimited | $69.99 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $79.99 over first month |
Unlimited | $79.99 | Go to Site |
 View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Vodafone 5G Home Internet Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Vodafone 5G home broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $75 over first month |
Unlimited | $75 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $85 over first month |
Unlimited | $85 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Optus 5G Home Internet Plans
The following table shows selected published Optus 5G home internet plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Optus 5G Internet Everyday
min. cost $655 over first month |
Unlimited | $79 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Optus 5G Internet Entertainer Superfast
min. cost $675 over first month |
Unlimited | $99 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Telstra 5G Home Internet Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Telstra 5G internet plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
5G Home Internet
min. cost $85 over one month |
1TB | $85 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Private Networks
If you want the benefits of a fixed-line broadband connection, but still don’t want the NBN, you may be able to access the internet through a private fibre network. These are purpose-built and privately-owned networks that service specific states and postcodes. Examples of private fixed network providers are Spirit, Lightning Broadband and Opticomm, all of which operate in certain locations across Australia.
- Spirit provides high-speed internet in apartment complexes in east-coast capital cities.
- Lightning Broadband is available across Australia, but you’ll have to check if plans are offered in your area.
- Opticomm is available in some housing estates where NBN is not currently connected.
If you’re not won over by the NBN, an independently-operated fibre connection may be worth considering, but keep in mind that these plans may be more expensive than plans on the NBN and speeds may also vary by provider and plan.
Mobile Broadband
Mobile broadband uses Telstra, Optus and Vodafone’s 4G and 5G mobile networks to connect you to the internet. Mobile broadband plans usually come with a data-only SIM card that can be inserted into a tablet or device, but these plans are often bundled with a USB dongle or portable modem. The major benefit of mobile broadband is that it’s portable, flexible and can be accessed anywhere you have network coverage and is typically used for internet on the go. That’s why these plans may have smaller data inclusions, as they’re not meant to be a home internet solution.
Mobile Broadband Plans
Telstra Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Telstra mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Small
min. cost $25 over one month |
30GB | $25 | |
|
Medium
min. cost $58 over one month |
75GB | $58 | |
|
Large
min. cost $90 over one month |
400GB | $90 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Vodafone Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Vodafone mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Small Data SIM Only Plan
min. cost $20 over first month |
30GB | $20 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Large Data SIM Only Plan
min. cost $40 over first month |
70GB | $40 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Amaysim Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Amaysim mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Sim Only 7GB
min. cost $15 over 28 day billing period |
7GB | $15 | |
|
Sim Only 50GB
min. cost $40 over 28 day billing period |
50GB | $40 | |
|
Sim Only 90GB
min. cost $60 over 28 day billing period |
90GB | $60 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Southern Phone Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Southern Phone mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Extra Small
min. cost $180 over 12 month plan period |
7GB | $15 | |
|
Small
min. cost $300 over 12 month plan period |
15GB | $25 | |
|
Medium
min. cost $480 over 12 month plan period |
50GB | $40 | |
|
Large
min. cost $780 over 12 month plan period |
100GB | $65 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Do I need NBN for internet: The verdict
Some Australians might not want to switch to the NBN, but the good news is that the NBN is not compulsory. That being said, you’ll need an alternative if you want to use the internet at home.
If you’re still unsure about the NBN, it may not be as bad as you think. Keep in mind that NBN plans are much more customisable than other broadband types, and you’ll be able to tailor your plan with options such as:
- NBN provider (such as Telstra, Optus, Aussie Broadband, TPG, iiNet, Superloop, etc)
- NBN speed tier (NBN 12, NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100, NBN 250 and NBN 1000)
- Entertainment extras (e.g. Fetch TV, Netflix, Telstra TV)
- BYO modem or modem included
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