KEY POINTS
- The NBN 12 speed tier — also called Home Basic I — offers up to 12Mbps download speeds and 1Mbps upload speeds.
- The slowest speed tier available on the NBN, however it isn’t offered by many providers.
- Prices are usually between $50 to $70 per month and up, excluding discounts.
When choosing an NBN plan, one of the biggest decisions is which speed tier you should choose. There are several different speed tiers available and it can be tricky to decide which speed tier is best for your internet usage needs.
The NBN 12 speed tier — also called Home Basic I — typically offers the cheapest NBN plans on the market, but the slower speeds aren’t for everyone. In this guide, we take a look at what is NBN 12 and whether an NBN 12 plan is best for your household’s internet needs.
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Compare the best NBN 12 plans and providers
The NBN 12 speed tier – also called Home Basic I speed – is the entry-level NBN speed tier available to households. The NBN 12 speed tier has download speeds of up to 12Mbps and up to 1Mbps upload speed.
NBN 12 plans are also typically cheaper than plans on other speed tiers and some of the cheapest plans in the market. However, these plans are also harder to track down as not all NBN providers offer plans on the NBN 12 speed tier, with many providers opting to start their plans with NBN 25 speeds. Popular providers offering NBN 12 plans include:
- Aussie Broadband
- EscapeNet
- Flip
- iiNet
- Moose Mobile
- TPG
When you compare NBN 12 plans, it helps to look at a range of providers and consider your needs, including budget and what you want from a plan, such as an included modem or any discounts on plan fees. If you’re still struggling to find the right NBN 12 plan for you, you can check out our NBN provider most satisfied customers ratings to find out what Aussies think of their NBN provider.
The following table shows a selection of NBN 12 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then alphabetical order. Use our internet comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
How fast are NBN 12 plans?
NBN 12 is suitable for light users, and smaller households that only need to get the basics done, such as web browsing and checking emails, although NBN Co states it should also handle a standard-definition or high-definition video stream along with basic online gaming.
The slow upload speed also means that, according to NBN Co, it would take around three hours to upload a 1GB file. Compared to NBN 25 (which would take 35 minutes) and NBN 50 (which would take nine minutes), the slow upload speed could be a deal breaker if you regularly upload files, especially if you work from home.
NBN 12 evening speeds
You may have noticed when shopping around for an NBN 12 plan that many providers advertise ‘evening speeds’. Evening speeds basically denote typical speeds experienced in busy hours, between 7pm and 11pm – when everyone’s at home from work or school and using the internet.
If you’re curious about your provider’s typical evening speed — or you’re comparing speeds from a range of providers — you can check out our guide on typical evening speeds, or check the provider’s website directly. It’s worth noting that typical evening speeds are advertised speeds only; your own personal experience may differ, especially in the aforementioned peak periods.
Test your internet speed for free
NBN offers you might like
The following table shows a selection of sponsored unlimited data Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50), and Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners..
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $79.99) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$79.99 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $65.00) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$65.00 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $68.90) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$68.90 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
Unlimited Home Standard (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 (excluding discounts), 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 Home Fast (NBN 100) Plans
The table below shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
How much does NBN 12 cost?
As NBN 12 plans are the slowest speed tier offered on the NBN, these plans are typically some of the cheapest available. Prices for NBN 12 tend to range between $50 to $60 per month excluding discounts, although some providers may charge over $70 per month.
With so many providers offering discounts on plan fees to new customers, it’s important to compare the standard price of plans to ensure that whichever plan you sign up to, will still suit your budget.
Is an NBN 12 plan right for me?
Choosing an NBN plan may look like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Considering your own needs – especially in peak times – is a good first step into finding the right plan for you and then you can compare NBN 12 plans. The Home Basic I speed tier looks good on paper, but first consider if you can get by with such little bandwidth.
If you’re on a tight budget, choosing an NBN 12 plan, while it can cut your internet costs, might not be the best option for your needs. Considering the slow download and upload speeds, these plans are designed for small households and those with light internet usage needs. If you have a larger household or more intensive internet usage needs, NBN 25 plans can be found at a similar price point and from a wider range of providers than NBN 12 plans.
Ultimately, an NBN 12 plan isn’t going to work for everyone. While it might be tempting to switch to a Home Basic I plan to save some money, if it impacts how you and anyone else in your household uses the internet — especially for work or study at home — an NBN 12 plan isn’t going to suit your needs.
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