Compare Optus Broadband Plans
As one of the leading broadband providers in Australia, Optus is known for its variety of home internet plans, including NBN Home Internet, 5G Home Internet, and 4G Home Internet. Australians who are looking to upgrade their home internet plan may be interested to know how the Optus plans on offer stack up against the rest of the market.
Below are details of the internet plans offered by Optus.
What’s In This Article?
What Plans Does Optus Broadband Offer?
For home internet, this service provider offers three key plan types. These are as follows:
- NBN Home Internet
- 5G Home Internet
- 4G Home Internet
Optus Broadband NBN Plans
Australians around the country are aware of the National Broadband Network, better known as NBN. This network replaces older copper infrastructure with fibre optics and has been developed to give Australians more reliable internet and faster speeds. While using NBN is not compulsory in Australia, the rollout has been successful and provides users with a stable internet connection in their homes.
Optus offers a home internet plan using NBN. It comes with:
- Unlimited data
- Month-to-month contract
- Range of plan speeds
- WiFi 6 modem
- Plug & play (4G backup, which requires Optus 4G coverage. Speeds vary and are limited to 25/2Mbps)
- Netflix subscription included (allows you to move an existing subscription across with you)
This Optus plan also lets you BYO modem but it is recommended that you use their Ultra WiFi Modem. If you stay connected for up to 36 months using this modem, you pay no start-up costs at all. The Optus modem is optimised for their network. It is important to note that if you don’t stay with them for this period, you will be subject to fees and will have to pay for the modem when you cancel.
Due to the nature of NBN, some addresses may not be able to get online using this type of internet plan. While the NBN rollout has been successful, there may still be some remote parts of Australia where NBN cannot be used. Optus allows you to search for your address on their website to ensure you can connect with NBN before you purchase.
Optus offers two NBN plans: the Optus Plus Everyday NBN plan and the Optus Plus Family Entertainer plan. You can then choose from 50 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 240 Mbps, and 600 Mbps speeds.
Typical busy periods of this plan are between 7 pm and 11 pm. Both are designed to suit households of 3-4 people and you can use them for HD streaming, fast downloads, video calling, gaming, and working from home.
The main difference between the two is that the Family Entertainer plan comes with an Ultra WiFi Booster to make sure everyone in the household can get online and enjoy faster speeds.
NBN Speed | Description |
---|---|
NBN 50 | Standard plus evening speed provides a download speed of 50Mbps and an upload speed of 18Mbps. Great for multiple devices using the internet at once. |
NBN 100 | Premium evening speed provides a download speed of 100Mbps and an upload speed of up to 36Mbps. A great choice that can suit multiple needs for home or business use. |
NBN 240 | Provides all the benefits of lower speed packs plus a significant increase in typical download speeds that are ideal for concurrent 4K and 8K streaming, serious online gaming, downloading large files, and business collaboration tools |
NBN 600 | Home Superfast with improved upload speeds that are ideal for concurrent 4K and 8K streaming, competitive online gaming, downloading or uploading large files, and business collaboration tools – all at the best speeds. |
5G Home Internet
As an NBN alternative, Optus offers 5G-powered home internet. Like the 5G you use on your mobile phone, you access the internet via this wireless network, rather than NBN. The plan comes with the following.
- Unlimited data
- Month-to-month contract
- Uncapped speed (typical speed is 240/20Mbps)
- 1 month free
- Plug & play
- Netflix included
- $0 start-up fees
As with other plans offered by this service provider, you will need to check your address for 5G connectivity before setup. Optus offers three different 5G plans that you can ‘set up and forget.’ Plans include the following.
- Optus Plus Everyday 5G – This plan costs $69/mo and offers maximum speeds of 50Mbps. Set up is free and Optus currently offers the first month for free too. It is good for HD streaming and comes with unlimited data.
- Optus Plus Everyday Fast 5G – Perfect for 4K streaming and with a max download speed of 100Mbps, this plan usually costs $79/mo but offers often run with a discount on the first 6 months. There are no set-up costs and unlimited data.
- Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G – For 8K streaming, an uncapped download speed, and a Netflix account, this plan is the best choice. With unlimited data and a monthly fee of $99, this contract offers typical speeds of 240/20Mbps.
All 5G plans with Optus come with a Nokia 5G modem. This device uses fast Wi-Fi 6 technology and is very easy to set up.
4G Home Internet
The last option that Optus has within its internet plans offering is the 4G Home Internet plan. Like with 5G, this option uses the 4G network used by mobile phones to help you connect to the internet at home.
Optus only offers one plan with the 4G options. This is the Optus Everyday Basic 4G and includes:
- $59 per month with the first month free
- Plug & play
- Modem included
- $0 set-up costs
- Max download speeds 25Mbps
- Max upload speeds 2Mbps
This option comes with dual-band WiFi, plug & play, and an Optus 4G WiFi modem. Delivery of the modem is usually between 1 and 5 business days and once you’ve got it, you simply need to plug it in and connect.
Optus Broadband Features
The Optus home internet plans available all have different features included, but consistent elements found across all packages include those detailed below.
Plug & Play
Optus promises an easy setup with its plug & play Wi-Fi modems. These devices allow customers to skip the professional installation and simply plug their devices in. Plug & play technology means that networked devices can connect to a network without any setup on the customer’s part.
This feature means that customers with busy lives can connect seamlessly to a network without waiting for a professional service to install the device. Provided your area has the correct network service, logging onto the Optus networks is very simple.
First Month Free
While you will still have to pay for the modem devices you receive, your first month of connectivity is supplied by Optus. This offsets the cost of the devices you need for an internet connection, making it easier on customers’ bank accounts when they start their contracts.
First-month free discounts may vary depending on when you set up your Optus account, but the internet provider often offers similar discounts on their unlimited data home internet packages.
No Lock-In Contract
Optus plans are essentially contract-free. This means you’re not locked into your contract and you can cancel anytime. The perks of sticking with the plan include a free modem, which means you avoid any setup fees.
In addition to this, if you relocate to a new address, you can usually take your Optus plan with you. If you move out of an area with the required connectivity, Optus will help you with alternative services.
No lock-in contracts and an option to move to a new address means that you can install Optus broadband in your home without worrying about relocating or deciding to change providers in future.
It is important to note that while Optus doesn’t use lock-in contracts for any of their unlimited data plans, if you don’t stick with them for 36 months and you have been provided with their modem device, you will need to pay any remaining charges on the modem as part of their cancellation policy.
What are Optus Broadband’s Best Features?
Optus Broadband Offers
If you’re looking at Optus as your next internet provider then you’re probably interested in what kind of offers they have. Currently, Optus is offering the first month free with all of its unlimited data plans. The plans are also contract-free, which means you have a lot more flexibility than with some other providers.
Get Optus Broadband with Netflix
You can pair your broadband deal with a subscription to Netflix with their Superfast 5G with Netflix bundle. This bundle is just $79 per month and comes with a Wi-Fi 6 modem. You may bring an existing subscription over with you. This offer also comes with $10 off the first 6 months.
This plan is great value for money and means you can get set up with your internet access and your entertainment all in one go.
Get EOFY Offers With Optus Broadband
With the approach of the EOFY, Optus is running several offers that help to reduce the cost of their broadband services, as well as other services they provide, like Optus Subhub. As with all the broadband deals at Optus, these discounts come with no lock-in contracts, offer unlimited data, and help you to save money.
The EOFY currently offered by Optus gives new users $10 off for the first 6 months of their contract. This means savings of $60 across the first 6 months and a chance to test out the Optus Wi-Fi at a reduced price.
This offer extends across internet packages and speeds, including NBN and 5G, and is great value for money.
Netflix included on Family Entertainer nbn® plans.
Plus get next gen WiFi 6 modem with 4G backup, unlimited data, a WiFi Booster and a Netflix Standard subscription (RRP $16.99), all included in the one plan. T&Cs apply.
Optus Broadband Vs Other Providers
Optus broadband certainly has some benefits for Australian customers, but how does this internet provider compare to other service providers?
Optus NBN Vs Telstra NBN
Telstra is another broadband provider operating across Australia. In comparison to the Optus NBN plans, Telstra is slightly more expensive at $89 per month, but they do offer better modem options.
While both providers offer unlimited data and no contracts, Telstra is slightly more ‘contract-free’ than Optus. If you leave Optus within the first 36 months, you still need to pay off the rest of the modem. With Telstra, this isn’t the case. This gives users more flexibility and may benefit those who don’t intend to stay in one place.
However, Optus currently offers NBN 1000 plans, but Telstra doesn’t. NBN is the fastest internet speed currently available on an NBN plan. So if you’re looking for superfast NBN internet plans, Optus is the best option here.
Optus Vs MATE
When it comes to broadband providers, MATE Broadband is a well-known service in Australia offering a range of NBN plans. They are budget-friendly, and oftentimes their NBN plans come at a much-reduced rate compared to Optus.
However, Optus has other services, like Optus Subhub and Optus Sport, along with a range of discount offers. You can add phone calls to both Optus and MATE packages, and MATE is the slightly cheaper service provider still. However, if you’re looking to get all your technology subscriptions in one place, including TV, home phone, and mobile phone plans, Optus could be the better option.
MATE is known for offering impeccable customer service. It has won awards for being the best in Australia. On the other hand, Optus’s customer service appears lacking, with many users giving it extremely poor reviews.
If you want a more well-rounded service with multiple packages available, you will be best choosing Optus. However, if you’re just looking for an affordable internet package with good customer service, MATE comes out on top.
What People Are Asking About Optus Broadband
As a popular service provider in Australia, people undoubtedly have questions about Optus and their internet services. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Optus.
Yes. Optus offers a range of internet packages. These packages include NBN, 4G and 5G broadband for your home and mobile. Services are available across Australia and come with many speeds, package deals, and discounts. Read our Optus review to find out more.
Optus NBN internet packages come with a high-tech WiFi 6 modem. This router costs nothing if you stay with the plan for 36 months. However, you will incur early exit fees if you leave the plan before this time. The router is optimised for the Optus network and is recommended as the modem of choice for their plans.
Optus currently offers several types of internet, including NBN, 4G, and 5G plans. This means that if you live in an area with limited NBN coverage, you can still get online with a 4G or 5G plan. Most modems will automatically revert to the 4G network in the unlikely event that your 5G or NBN goes down.