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What is an ISP?

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If you’re shopping around for anything home internet related, you’ve probably seen the acronym ISP floating around out there. But you may be wondering what is ISP and what it mean?

Essentially, an ISP is your go-to retailer for signing up to NBN and broadband plans. If you’re wondering ‘who is my ISP’ and if it’s the best provider to be with, read on to find out everything you need to know about ISPs in Australia.

NBN offers you might like

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.

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.

What is an Internet Service Provider?

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, to name a few. 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?

ISPs supply your home or portable device with an internet connection. Other bundles including call packs and entertainment packages 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.

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:

How much does the ISP cost?

One of the biggest factors is going to be the price tag attached to the plan. There are plenty of budget-friendly options out there, so make sure that the price you’re paying is reasonable for the services you receive. Consider speeds, inclusions and where the offer sits when compared with similar plans from different providers.

What are the ISP’s speeds?

The usage habits and needs of people in your household will determine the speed that you’ll need. It is important to match the speeds with your needs to ensure you aren’t paying for faster internet than you need but that it can keep up with your online activities.

What else is included?

Some providers will offer inclusions to sweeten the deal. These can include Fetch set top boxes, phone lines, static IP addresses and entertainment packages. 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.

How flexible is the ISP?

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.

Compare NBN plans

If you haven’t yet signed up to an internet plan with an ISP, it’s likely you’ll be after an NBN plan. There are plenty of speeds, plans and providers to choose from. You’ll find a range of NBN plans and providers in the below table to compare.

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.

Who is my ISP?

If you don’t remember who your ISP is, there are a couple of ways to find out:

Search via a website

  1. Open your browser
  2. Search for an IP lookup tool (e.g. Router Network or Top10VPN</a rel=”nofollow”>)
  3. Your ISP will be displayed below your IP Address

Check your bank statement

Your ISP should be listed as a regular payment on your bank statement. You can request a physical copy of your statement from your bank. Alternatively, your statement can be found in your banking app or via internet banking.

Check your internet bill

Even if you have direct debit set up, your ISP may provide you with a bill via email or a paper copy in the mail. Checking your internet bill should tell you not only who is my ISP, but it may also tell you what type of internet plan (even including speed tier) you have and your usage.

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

Which ISP should I sign up with?

The first thing you need to consider is what you want to get out of your broadband plan. This may include the internet connection type (NBN, home wireless broadband, etc), price, speeds, extras, customer service etc. Once you have established your priorities, use our comparison tool for a wide range of plans on offer from telcos in the market, all in one place!

 

Abi Buckland
Casual Content Producer
Abi Buckland covers a wide range of topics at Canstar Blue, including the Telco and Energy sectors, as well as consumer news. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Business Management and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at the University of Queensland.

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