There is a lot of confusion about what an ISP actually is and what it does, but essentially, an ISP is your go-to retailer for signing up to NBN and broadband plans. Want to know more? Read on to find out everything you need to know about ISPs.
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What is an ISP?
ISP stands for Internet Service Provider and is responsible for supplying internet connections to residential and commercial customers. To put it simply, an ISP is the company who gives you access to the internet at home and on your portable devices.
Examples of ISPs include companies such as Telstra, TPG, Aussie Broadband, Vodafone and Optus. This is not an exhaustive list, however, and there are many more providers to choose from. Our free internet comparison tool is a fantastic way of seeing what kinds of offers are out there, to help you decide which provider might be the right fit for you.
What does an ISP do?
First and foremost, ISPs supply your home or portable device with an internet connection. Other bundles including call packs, entertainment packages and more are also often available.
It is worth noting that an ISP is different to a network technology owner, such as NBN or OptiComm. Instead, ISPs buy network access from these network technology owners, to then supply to customers.
NBN Providers & Plans
Looking for a new NBN provider or plan to make the most of your ISP? Check out some of the providers and plans available in the table below. The table contains affiliate links.
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 $74.99) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$74.99 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $99.99) Typical evening speed of 90Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$89.99 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $85) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$85.00 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
Unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (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 Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) Plans
The table below shows a selection of published unlimited Premium Evening Speed (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.
Which is the best ISP in Australia?
The best ISP is one that offers a plan that aligns with your needs, and therefore can’t be pinned down to a single provider. That’s why shopping around to see what is on offer from different providers is always a good idea.
There are a few things that you should consider when doing your research:
Costs
One of the biggest factors in your decision is going to be the price tag attached to the plan. There are plenty of budget-friendly options out there, so making sure that the price you’re paying is reasonable for the services you receive is key. Reasonableness is going to be determined by speeds, inclusions and where the offer sits when compared with similar plans from different providers.
Speeds
The usage habits and needs of people in your household will determine the speed that you’ll need to sign up for. It is important to match the speeds with your needs to ensure you aren’t paying for faster internet than you need but that the speed you do have can keep up with your online activities.
Inclusions
Some providers will offer inclusions to sweeten the deal. These inclusions can include Fetch set top boxes, phone lines, static IP addresses, entertainment packages, etc. Plans with these inclusions tend to cost more than the bare bones options so it is worth considering whether these inclusions are worth it. You might also need to consider whether you will want a modem supplied, or if you would prefer to BYO modem.
Flexibility:
Although most providers offer flexible, no lock-in contracts that you can generally leave at any time, it is important to read the fine print before you sign up with an ISP. Some providers will require you to stay for a minimum term, particularly if you have a modem included, and leaving before this term may result in a fee. To avoid this, it is just important that you know what you’re signing up for.
When should I contact my ISP?
If you’re having issues with your broadband or NBN connection, then your ISP will be the first port of call to see what’s going on. You should contact your ISP if:
- The speeds you are getting do not match the speeds you’re paying for (a free speed test tool is a great way of monitoring this)
- You lose your internet connection for an extended period of time and can’t seem to resolve the issue yourself
- You want to make any changes to your plan, such as switching to a different plan or cancelling your service
What ISP should I sign up with?
The first thing you need to consider before you even start comparing ISPs is what is important to you and what you want to get out of your broadband plan. This may include factors such as the internet connection type (NBN, home wireless broadband, etc), price, speeds, extras, customer service etc. Once you have established your priorities, then a great place to start is our comparison tool, so that you can see a wide range of plans on offer from a range of telcos in the market, all in one place!
You’ll find a range of NBN providers listed below that may be worth considering.
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.
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