If you find the NBN to be underwhelming, or it isn’t available to you at your home, you might be wondering what are some other options? ‘Downgrading’ to your old ADSL connection is pretty much out, because it no longer exists, and if you’re fed up it’s tempting to look at other avenues entirely. This has opened the door to many telco providers building their own internet networks – ones entirely separate from the NBN.
Usually, these providers service niche areas or particular suburbs in capital cities, but if you look hard enough you might find one that services your area. Compare NBN plans from some key providers below, and rest assured knowing that networks are likely to grow over time with new providers cropping up. Hit the links below to see what’s available in your state.
On this page:
- Mobile Broadband Plans
- Home Wireless Plans
- Australia-Wide Options
- Queensland NBN Alternatives
- New South Wales NBN Alternatives
- Victoria NBN Alternatives
- South Australia NBN Alternatives
- Western Australia NBN Alternatives
*Currently, it’s slim pickings in Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT, but keep your eyes peeled as more providers set up shop.
Alternatives to the NBN: What’s out there?
There are quite a few telcos building their own networks, mainly across the major capital cities, but several regional areas may also be covered. The common delivery method is through a fixed wireless connection using a provider’s own infrastructure, which is relatively straightforward to set-up and totally separate from the National Broadband Network.
- Internet providers often promise low contention, fast maximum download speeds and localised customer service.
- Many only service a particular area in a state or city, so it pays to double check if you’re covered.
Find out what alternatives are in your state below, but first consider if a home wireless plan is up to scratch. Home wireless plans can be set up virtually anywhere with 4G reception.
NBN Alternatives: Mobile Broadband
Mobile broadband uses 4G or 5G cellular networks to connect your devices to the internet, similar to home wireless broadband (as outlined below). However, it’s an option that works best for on-the-go broadband use, rather than as a total home internet solution.
Still, if you’re a low-level user, move around a lot or, or just want backup in case of home broadband outages, it could be worth looking into. Keep in mind, however, that data inclusions are generally much lower than what you’ll find on home wireless plans, meaning you’ll be be paying more for less gigabytes per month.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Data Bundle Plan
min. cost $95 over one month with an Essential mobile plan |
10GB | $15 | |
|
Small
min. cost $30 over one month |
30GB | $30 | |
|
Medium
min. cost $65 over one month |
100GB | $65 | |
 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Data Only 30GB
min. cost $25 over 28 day billing period |
30GB | $25 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Data Only 100GB
min. cost $50 over 28 day billing period |
100GB | $50 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Data Only 365GB
min. cost $350 over 365 day billing period |
365GB | $350 | Link to provider unavailable |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $180 over 12 month plan period |
7GB | $15 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $300 over 12 month plan period |
15GB | $25 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $480 over 12 month plan period |
50GB | $40 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $780 over 12 month plan period |
100GB | $65 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Tangerine Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Tangerine 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $34.90 over first month |
100GB | $34.90 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $49.90 over first month |
200GB | $49.90 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $64.90 over first month |
400GB | $64.90 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
The following table shows selected published Belong 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.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $15 over one month billing period |
20GB | $15 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $35 over one month billing period |
100GB | $35 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $70 over one month billing period |
400GB | $70 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
NBN Alternatives: 5G Home/Mobile Broadband
‘Home wireless’ is a burgeoning trend in the internet space, which basically delivers 4G or 5G mobile broadband in big data packages designed for at-home use, rather than on-the-go. This is set up using a ‘plug and play’ modem like most other internet connections, but the modem specifically picks up mobile cellular reception, like with your mobile phone.
As 5G coverage expands across Australia, more providers are now offering 5G wireless or mobile broadband options where available. Providers including Telstra, TPG, Optus and Vodafone all sell 5G home internet, and many telcos give customers the choice of fully unrestricted speeds or cheaper plans with data limited to 100Mbps or so. These plans are also competitively priced, being on par with what you’d pay for NBN 50 or NBN 100 speeds.
The following table shows selected published 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
5G Home Internet
min. cost $85 over one month |
1TB | $85 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G
min. cost $675 over first month |
Unlimited | $99 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
The following table shows selected published 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
5G Home Broadband Plus
min. cost $44.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $44.99 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
5G Home Broadband Plus plan
min. cost $44.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $44.99 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
5G Home Internet Plus
min. cost $65 over one month |
Unlimited | $65 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
5G Home Broadband Premium
min. cost $49.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $49.99 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
5G Home Broadband Premium plan
min. cost $54.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $54.99 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
5G Home Internet Premium
min. cost $70 over one month |
Unlimited | $70 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Optus Plus Everyday Fast 5G
min. cost $655 over first month |
Unlimited | $79 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
SpinTel 5G Unlimited
min. cost $89 over one month |
Unlimited | $89 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
NBN Alternatives: 4G Home Wireless Broadband
If you’re not currently in a 5G-serviced area, you can still sign up for 4G cellular home wireless broadband. Several providers offer this, including Southern Phone, Optus and iiNet.
iiNet Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published iiNet home wireless broadband plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home Wireless Broadband Limiitless Plan
min. cost $59.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $59.99 | Go To Site |
| View all internet plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
TPG Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published TPG home wireless broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home Wireless Broadband Unlimited Plan
min. cost $54.99 over first month |
Unlimited | $54.99 | Go To Site |
| View all internet plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Optus 4G Home Internet Plans
The following table shows a selection of Optus 4G 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. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4G Home Internet Unlimited (Month-to-Month)
min. cost $275 (incl. $216 modem cost) over first month plan period |
Unlimited | $59 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all internet plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Southern Phone Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Southern Phone wireless 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Home Wireless Unlimited M2M
min. cost $270 over first month plan period |
Unlimited | $60 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Home Wireless Unlimited 24M
min. cost $1,440 over 24 month plan period |
Unlimited | $60 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all internet plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
NBN Alternatives across Australia
It’s more common to see state-specific telcos offering their own infrastructure and broadband plans, but a number of them do offer services in many areas of Australia. However, you’ll mostly find that coverage is not widespread, and while they have a presence in multiple states, only certain regions will actually be covered.
- Spirit is a provider specialising in high-speed internet for apartments. It’s heavily Melbourne-centric, but some apartments in Sydney and on the Gold Coast are covered. All plans come with unlimited data, with prices starting at $55 a month and going up from there. Some plans also come with set up fees.
- Lightning Broadband is another provider with various networks set up across Australia – you’ll just have to find out if they are available in your neighbourhood. Speeds range from 25Mbps up to 100Mbps, with unlimited data as standard. Prices start at $75 a month.
- OptiComm is a fibre network which is offered by mainstream providers including Telstra and Aussie Broadband. Some housing estates use this network instead of the NBN and plan prices vary. Note there is often not a choice if you live in these estates – OptiComm is your only network option.
- RedTrain operates a private fibre network similar to Opticomm or Spirit, which is currently available in selected new developments and apartments in NSW and Victoria. RedTrain plans are available through ISPs such as iiNet and iPrimus.
With most NBN alternatives delivering broadband through a fixed wireless connection, rollout is made simpler and easier. This means that a provider could easily establish itself in a suburb overnight without heavy infrastructure to build. There are no copper lines to install and no dealing with the NBN. This map gives an overview of networks available in each state. Read on for further details.
NBN Alternatives in Queensland
Queenslanders kick-off the NBN alternatives race with a provider that’s not even based in Brisbane. It’s based in Bundaberg and services that area:
- Open Cloud Broadband uses its own network, capable of delivering up to 200/100Mbps speeds, which is simply outstanding. Unlimited data comes on some of the lower-end plans, while higher-end plans are capped at 500GB.
When asked about why its faster plans are data-capped, Open Cloud General Manager Luke Baker said it’s to ”Keep our network saturation to our target levels and also to discourage people torrenting as this creates issues for us both with our network but also in a legal capacity.” There you have it; data-capped internet plans aren’t the devil!
Open Cloud Broadband is currently one of the only NBN alternatives in Queensland, and it’s refreshing to see it’s not based in a capital city.
NBN Alternatives in NSW
Despite being Australia’s most populous state and home to Australia’s largest city of Sydney with more than five million residents, NSW is relatively sparse when it comes to alternative internet networks.
- OpalNet operates with plans from about $80, and this comes on a 50/50Mbps speed tier, with up to 1000/1000 available. All plans come with unlimited data and connection fees are $0 for 12 month contracts, whereas month-to-month plans attract a $200+ setup fee. A lower monthly payment is available for those who persist past the initial 12 month contract.
OpalNet is a relative newcomer, with a subscriber base in the double figures, rather than triple or quadruple. The NBN-alternatives market is growing in Sydney, and with over five million residents, it’s about time.
NBN Alternatives in Victoria
Currently it seems that Victorians – and particularly Melbournites – get the lion’s share of alternative providers with some of the best speeds on offer. There are a few networks out there worth looking at, and you’ll have to see if your house is covered. Some telcos currently only serve a particular end of town, or even a particular suburb. The best you can do is look at the coverage maps of the telcos in question to see if you’re covered and type in your address.
- Uniti is a provider operating in Melbourne, with various suburbs covered. Inner suburbs are mostly covered, while some areas out near Moonee Ponds, Ivanhoe, Kew, Laverton, Altona and Highett are also covered – quite the spread of suburbs! Prices start at around $50.
- Rocket Wireless is a mainly small business-centric provider, but offers apartment internet to various locations across Melbourne with speeds up to 200Mbps.
- RocTel is another telco with plans starting at around the $100 mark. All come with unlimited data, with speeds starting at 100/100. Gigabit speeds are also available.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. You may find a tiny telco in your neighbourhood providing the perfect plan for you. If it’s an NBN alternative you’re after, Melbourne is spoilt for choice.
NBN Alternatives in South Australia
South Australia is another state with a promising future for internet, but those living rurally may miss out. Most of the action seems to be in Adelaide:
- Uniti strikes once again with much of Adelaide and surrounds covered. Prices start at around the $50 mark with speeds options up to 25/10Mbps.
- Kern Wi-Fi is another Adelaide-centric provider, servicing various inner and outer suburbs of the city. Prices start from $80 a month and the telco offers a support pack for an additional $30 a month.
Adelaide certainly has its pick of providers, but regional areas may miss out. There are a few providers to choose from, but note prices might be higher than what you’ll find with the NBN – especially if you want lots of data.
NBN Alternatives in Western Australia
Providers often forget about WA, but there is certainly a presence of NBN alternatives in the great state. However, most plans are Perth-centric and regional areas may miss out.
- Pentanet This Perth-based provider operates on a fixed-wireless network with plans starting at $59 per month, and data allowances of either 100GB, 250GB, or unlimited. Speeds achieved are up to 120/20Mbps.
Just because you live out west doesn’t mean you miss out. Those living in Perth get most of the fruit, but those living rurally don’t necessarily miss out with Red Broadband flying the flag for those living outside the capital.
Should I stick it out with NBN or go elsewhere?
If you’ve experienced a disappointing NBN connection, it can be all too easy to simply pack it in and give up on the national network entirely. Despite all the flak that NBN cops, however, there are some things you can do to improve your speeds, such as:
Beyond that, simply changing providers might yield the results you’re after. Some providers purchase enough bandwidth for everyone, while some scrape by with only the bare minimum. This is explained further here. As such, paying a little extra for a provider that prides itself on low contention may be a good option. And simply changing providers may also yield the results you’re after, especially if you’ve automatically stuck to the big providers for years.
Note that there are more providers than just the ‘big 5’. Often, choosing a smaller challenger brand that you may not have heard of could provide the remedy. However, they may still only service select areas or have a limited amount of plans, but what you usually receive in return is lots of data for comparatively little money.
The following table shows a selection of published GigaComm fibre and fixed wireless plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from lowest to highest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $1,619 over first month |
Unlimited | $119 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $2,427 over 12 months |
Unlimited | $119 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $2,856 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $119 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $1,669 over first month |
Unlimited | $169 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $3,027 over 12 months |
Unlimited | $169 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $4,056 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $169 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $1,498 over first month |
Unlimited | $199 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $3,187 over 12 months |
Unlimited | $199 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $4,776 over 24 months |
Unlimited | $199 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Is it worth switching to an alternative internet network?
A lot of complaints about the NBN are warranted – it’s slow, it’s took forever to rollout with upgrades ongoing, it’s expensive to get anything decent and so on. As such, switching to a provider using its own network is mightily tempting. They aren’t bound by CVC costs, dealing with the NBN or other infrastructure. They are often future-proofing and using 4G connections or a fixed wireless connection. However, there are some considerations you’ll have to make:
- Consider whether a network in your area is even available. They tend to spring up overnight, but many networks are run by small telcos with a small footprint.
- You may have to budget extra money for the same amount of data. It’s rare to find an unlimited, top-speed plan for under $100, and cheap plans often have paltry amounts of data.
- Consider that these networks likely face the same setbacks as any other network, with peak time performance issues being the biggest one. However, the extra costs per gigabyte means that more bandwidth can be dished out to each customer.
- Many are focused in capital cities, with little choice for rural customers.
If there’s a network in your area, it can’t hurt to enquire with the company running it. Though don’t give up on the old NBN just yet! If you undertake some of the measures we’ve outlined above, there could be some surprising results. If you’ve really had enough, however, it can’t hurt to look at an alternative network to the NBN.
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