If you’re looking for a National Broadband Network (NBN) plan, Aussie Broadband and Telstra are two strong industry competitors you can choose from. But which one has the other beat?
When it comes to choosing a network plan, you need an NBN provider with reasonable pricing plans and full coverage for the features you’re looking for. Plus, you need to know about the additional features available, such as whether you can roll your home network and mobile plan into one bundle and whether you have to buy your own modem.
This article will explore the features, plans, and internet speed of Aussie Broadband vs Telstra to determine which is better. This is your go-to guide for finding the perfect network provider in Australia.
Aussie Broadband Plans
Aussie Broadband NBN plans are based on NBN speed tiers. They have specific pricing for NBN 12, NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100, NBN 250, and NBN 2000. Aussie Broadband even provides a convenient NBN 75 plan for those wishing to access more than NBN 50 without breaking the bank for NBN 100.
Take a look below to see the specific prices for each plan tier, as well as more details on Aussie Broadband bundles and included services:
Telstra Plans
Telstra offers pricing plans for different NBN speeds: NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100, NBN 250, and NBN 1000. Their NBN 25 plan is helpful for low-income households looking to access internet connectivity on a budget.
Please note that some Telstra NBN plans (250, 1000) are only accessible for households with FTTP, HFC, or NBN connections, so check with your provider before requesting a higher-tier plan.
You can find more details of Telstra’s plans below, including prices and features. Telstra even lets you bundle additional services into your NBN plan, including Telstra TV and certain streaming app subscriptions.
Aussie Broadband vs Telstra: Features
What are the features on offer with Telstra and Aussie Broadband? Let’s take a look.
Aussie Broadband Features
Aussie Broadband’s plans offer a wide range of attractive features. Some, however, are restricted to particular areas, so read carefully before choosing the provider based on a specific feature offering.
- Unlimited data across all pricing plans: No need to limit your streaming, gaming, or work.
- Opticomm Fibre Broadband for selected areas: Access faster broadband speeds if you live in an eligible region.
- Australian-based support: Clear, responsive support is accessible 24/7. Aussie Broadband hires Australian support staff to provide jobs for the local economy.
- Fast setup: Sign up for Aussie Broadband in minutes.
- No lock-in contracts: You can stay with Aussie Broadband or leave as you please, with no obligation.
- Mobile packages: Bundle your home and mobile networks into one convenient, streamlined package with Aussie Broadband.
- Fetch TV: With certain packages, you can access Fetch TV, which allows you to control all entertainment services in your home using a single remote.
Telstra Features
Telstra boasts a huge offering of diverse features, allowing you to protect your network, access on-the-go WiFi, and more. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer with Telstra.
- 5G home internet connection: Access fifth-generation internet connection for faster connectivity.
- WiFi 6: Connect more devices without compromising browsing speeds.
- Easy setup: You don’t need cables, technicians, or complex setup processes to access Telstra broadband.
- Advanced cyber threat protection: Keep your home network safe and your data secure.
- No lock-in contract: You are free to leave as you please with an unlocked plan.
- Home phone line: Add a home phone line to your plan for house calls.
- Mobile broadband: Telstra offers a mobile broadband option, so you can have WiFi wherever you go.
Aussie Broadband vs Telstra: Customer Service
When choosing between NBN providers, you need to know their customer service team will be ready and available to help whenever your broadband is experiencing technical difficulties. Let’s take a look at the customer service options on offer with both broadband providers.
Aussie Broadband Customer Service Options
Aussie Broadband offers a wide range of customer support options for their customers, including:
- Help Center: The Aussie Broadband help centre offers various resources to help customers answer queries and troubleshoot various issues with their network independently.
- Contact Support: You can call the Aussie Broadband’s all-Australian network support team or message them using their contact page.
- Outage Checker: Aussie Broadband offers an outage checker so you can see whether there’s an outage in your area. This feature is extremely valuable for households in remote locations where outages may be frequent.
- Moving Home: Get support for moving home with the Aussie Broadband customer support service. They can help you change your listed address, set up your network in your new home, and more.
- Network Speed Test: Check if your network is operating at optimal efficiency so you can boost internet speeds for your home.
While some customers praised Aussie Broadband for responsive, helpful, and friendly customer service, others complained of delays in resolving issues with their network.
| Contact Methods | How to Access | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Aussie Broadband Call Centre | 1300 880 905 | Every day from 8am to midnight |
| complaints@aussiebroadband.com.au | 24/7 |
Telstra Customer Service Options
Telstra offers the following customer service and support resources for their customers:
- Multilingual support: Telstra offers all customers multilingual support with inclusive support options. This makes Telstra an attractive option for foreign residents in Australia.
- In-store customer support: If you struggle with over-the-phone support, you can always visit a Telstra in-store location for more hands-on assistance. This support option is particularly useful for less tech-savvy customers, making their services more accessible.
- My Telstra App: Telstra offers an app that allows customers to manage their network from anywhere. You can check Telstra internet speeds and manage devices on your network using your mobile device.
- Phone Support: You can call Telstra using the number on their site or call them via the My Telstra App. An assistant will guide you through troubleshooting and help you resolve network issues.
- Help Center: Access troubleshooting, instructions, and resources in the help centre for self-service customer support. You can also manage your payment method and other account information in the help centre.
- Feedback and complaints: Telstra allows customers to leave feedback and complaints in their Help Center to stay in touch with customer queries and pain points, striving to improve their services consistently.
Although Telstra’s customer service options are extensive, their reviews are often negative. According to existing customers, Telstra customer support is not as responsive as it could be.
| How to Contact | Number | Call Centre Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Telstra customer service | 13 22 00 | Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 7:00 pm |
| Telstra Help Centre | My Telstra app | 24/7 |
FeaturedWhich Broadband Has the Best Internet Speed?
Internet speeds are the deciding factor for some regarding the broadband they choose. Let’s take a look at how Aussie Broadband and Telstra compare when it comes to internet speed.
Aussie Broadband Speeds
A recent evaluation by Opensignal revealed that Aussie Broadband offered average download speeds of up to 100Mbps faster than its competitors. The average maximum speeds were around 157 Mbps.
The survey, which covered the top competitors from Australia’s largest cities (Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Sydney), found that Aussie Broadband was leagues ahead of its competitors regarding internet speeds.
But what do the reviews say?
On ProductReview.com.au, Aussie Broadband has a whopping 4.5 stars for internet speed. With such lofty recommendations, it seems Aussie Broadband is a great choice for lightning-fast broadband and reliable typical evening speeds.
Telstra Speeds
Though Aussie Broadband is sitting at the top of the hill when it comes to internet speed, this doesn’t mean you should discount Telstra. According to the same Opensignal survey, Telstra sits 5th in the rankings for internet speed.
If you choose Telstra, you can access a network speed of 134.6 Mbps. Their handy internet speeds test allows you to ensure you’re getting the internet speeds you pay for and troubleshoot any interference. Telstra also offers 5G data roaming, with mobile broadband, allowing you to access fast internet speeds from anywhere.
What are reviews saying about Telstra’s internet speeds?
On TechRadar, Telstra has a 3.5 star rating for internet speeds. The broadband is praised for its high performance during busy evening hours and for providing limitless entertainment add-ons for customers.
Verdict: Which is Better?
Which broadband is right for you depends on your unique needs and specifications. Below is a list of some factors to consider when weighing up Aussie Broadband and Telstra for your home or business.
Where You Use The Internet
When will you need a fast internet connection? Do you use the internet to mostly stream entertainment and play games online at home? Or do you prefer a portable internet solution that you can take with you to work online in cafes and outdoor locations?
If you need a portable solution, then Telstra offers mobile broadband to suit your needs. You can travel anywhere and still access the internet for work, entertainment, and emergencies. This is an extremely attractive option if you’re part of the ‘van life’ trend.
However, if you mostly use the internet at home, you can count on Aussie Broadband for reliable home internet and lightning-fast internet speeds.
What You Use The Internet For
There are certain activities online that become tedious with slow internet speeds. You might experience lagging or poor loading speeds for the following activities:
- Streaming/live recording: Live recording requires fast internet speeds to ensure your viewers get high-quality content.
- Zoom/business meetings: Nothing gets in the way of a work meeting like slow internet speeds, missing audio, and frozen pictures.
- Online gaming: Online gaming requires top-notch internet speeds to ensure you can interact with others without delays.
If you engage in any of the above activities, it’s best to prioritize internet speed when evaluating broadband providers. Since Aussie Broadband is the top Australian provider for internet speeds, they might be your best bet.
Your Internet Support Requirements
If you aren’t tech-savvy or need minimal internet downtime, then you need responsive and accessible customer support. Telstra offers a wide range of support options, including multilingual support. Telstra is the best option for foreign Australian residents who require support for language barriers.
On the other hand, Aussie Broadband is a great choice if you’re seeking excellent over-the-phone support from an all-Australian team. They even offer a support ticket system, allowing you to send a message rather than pick up the phone (which is excellent if you’re not a fan of phone calls).
Both providers offer extensive online troubleshooting, network testing, and knowledge bases, allowing you to take a self-serve approach to your network support – making both a suitable option if you’re handy with technology.
FAQs About Aussie Broadband vs Telstra
Still not answered all your questions about Aussie Broadband and Telstra? Let’s do something about that.
Telstra is revered for its fast performance during peak evening hours – if you need reliable internet access in the evening, Telstra makes a great choice! Aussie Broadband also offers reliable and supercharged internet speeds, so you can choose either broadband for evening use.
Telstra definitely has Aussie Broadband beat when it comes to extras – you can access mobile network access, 5G data roaming, a home phone, and WiFi 6. However, Aussie Broadband also offers an Opticomm Fiber broadband option for selective areas, so be sure to consider this when making your choice.
Aussie Broadband has adopted Telstra’s 400 Gbps wavelengths in order to meet capacity demands. The provider is also seeking additional links to expand its offering and better adapt to customer demands. Furthermore, the service acts as a reseller for Optus network capabilities to provide better mobile services.
