Review updated April 30th, 2020
When choosing a broadband plan, there’s lots to consider. From contract length to speed, from download limits to cost, the whole process can be overwhelming and clear answers can be difficult to find. But if your main objective is simply to find the most entertaining streaming bundle available, then there’s only one answer – Foxtel Broadband.
Foxtel NBN Review
Foxtel has been on the Aussie entertainment landscape for some time. Recently – and particularly as the bundling trend has taken hold over the past few years – they’ve also started to dip their toes into the telecommunications pool. In doing so, however, they haven’t sought to mirror their competitors – instead, they’ve done it in the most Foxtel way possible. Their broadband options – whether ADSL or NBN – are incredibly fast (there’s no ‘slow’ option) and there are no download limits. In fact, the only choice you really need to make is which Foxtel package to go for. (Hint: If you can’t decide, the Platinum comes with everything).
In this Review
What makes Foxtel Broadband unique?
Foxtel Broadband is unique because it is broadband combined with Foxtel TV. That’s the long and the short of it. If you’ve always wanted to get Foxtel but never done so – maybe because you were worried it would be too expensive – now might just be your chance. By rolling in world-class broadband with top-quality entertainment, the cost is perhaps not as expensive as you’d expect. By having all your entertainment needs taken care of at home, you also save yourself some dosh from not needing to go out. So in that way, Foxtel might be the definition of spending money to save money.
What are Foxtel Broadband’s Best Features?
What Bundles do Foxtel Entertainment Offer?
Foxtel Broadband offers unlimited, super-fast broadband with your choice of four packages: Foxtel Plus, Movies HD, Sports HD or Platinum. Foxtel Plus is the standard package, which comes with great reality shows, documentaries and TV series, as well as all the HBO goodness of the Fox Showcase channel.
Movies HD Bundle
The Movies HD pack is the next level up on Entertainment. This one is for all the movie junkies out there. In addition to everything offered by the Foxtel Plus pack, the Movies HD pack delivers ten channels of movies of all kinds, from the latest blockbusters to the timeless classics.
Sports HD Bundle
It’s not exaggerating to say that Foxtel Broadband’s sport package is the best sporting package out there in Australia. The Sport package will give you everything in the Foxtel Plus pack, as well as access to the best live sport from Australia and all around the world, including NRL, AFL, A-League, cricket, tennis, Super Rugby and loads more.
Premium Bundle
Finding it hard to choose? The Platinum HD package combines all of the above and adds the Kids Pack, meaning you won’t need to make a decision! (Although we do warn you now that choosing which channel to watch isn’t going to be easy). What’s even better is that once you’ve signed up to a Foxtel subscription, you can get free use of the Foxtel Go app, which allows you to watch your favourite shows, sport, and movies — all depending on which Foxtel pack you’re subscribed to. Check out the complete list of devices on which you can use the Foxtel Go app below.
Foxtel Device Compatibility
| Device | Available? | User Guide |
|---|---|---|
| PC/Mac | Yes | Web browser only (Chrome for PC; Chrome & Safari for Mac) |
| iOS Mobile Devices | Yes | Via native app (iOS 9.3.5 or above) |
| Android Mobile Devices | Yes | Via native app (Android 5 and above) |
| Google Chromecast | Yes | Via casting (only on Multiroom service) |
| Apple TV | Yes | Via AirPlay (only on Multiroom service) |
| Smart TVs | Yes | Via casting only (only on Multiroom service) |
What plans do Foxtel Broadband offer?
Although choosing a program to watch on Foxtel can be overwhelming – you might wish you had a few more sets of eyes – actually choosing a plan is relatively simple. There are just a few different choices to make. You’ll need to pick either ADSL or NBN (a choice which of course your address makes for you), but fortunately these offerings are largely the same. In addition, there are different plans and upgrades depending on whether you’re a new or existing customer. The real fun starts when choosing your Foxtel package – Entertainment, Drama, Sport or Platinum. Every package comes with a landline which gives you unlimited local and national calls.
Foxtel Broadband Plans
- $108/mth for first 12 mths, $124/mth afterwards
- 24 Month Contract
- Speeds Vary
- Unlimited Data
- ADSL2+
- Over 50 channels of entertainment, drama, lifestyle, docos, reality & more
- Unlimited standard local and national calls
- $114/mth for first 12 mths, $144/mth afterwards
- 24 Month Contract
- Speeds Vary
- Unlimited Data
- ADSL2+
- Thousands of hours of movies on demand plus 10 dedicated HD channels
- Over 50 channels of entertainment, drama, lifestyle, docos, reality & more
- $108/mth for first 12 mths, $124/mth afterwards
- 24 Month Contract
- Up to 40Mbps Standard Plus Evening
- Unlimited Data
- NBN 50™ Fixed Line
- Over 50 channels of entertainment, drama, lifestyle, docos, reality & more
- Typical evening speed 45.4 Mbps
Last audited 30 April 2020
Existing Foxtel customers
If you’re an existing Foxtel customer, Foxtel Broadband lets you include your internet and your entertainment in the one package. If you’re a Platinum HD TV customer, then you can sign up for unlimited internet at Plus Speed (45.7MBPS) on a no-contract basis with no set-up fees. If you’re not a Platinum customer, then you’ll need to sign a 24-month deal. This applies to both ADSL and NBN plans (with the ASDL speed dependent on your location and distance from the node).
New Foxtel customers
New customers in both ADSL and NBN areas will be able to sign up with Foxtel Broadband on the four different bundles outlined above (Foxtel Plus, Movies HD, Sports HD or premium). For NBN users, regardless of which entertainment pack you choose, you’ll get unlimited broadband and it’ll be provided at Plus Speed (45.7MBPS). All NBN deals are offered on a 12-month contract. ADSL users will also get unlimited broadband, but speed will depend on your location.
Enjoy the ultimate viewing experience with Foxtel
Get the world’s best dramas, live sport, latest entertainment, and Netflix shows, all in one place
Foxtel Awards and recognition
Foxtel is recognised as your one-stop shop for broadband and entertainment. Whether you’re a large household or a big family with a bunch of different entertainment needs, Foxtel Broadband provides excellent internet and top-quality entertainment on the one bill. Put simply, Foxtel doesn’t mess around. They don’t offer a slow internet speed and there are no options with download limits. They’re veterans of the entertainment game – and they do it very well.
Foxtel Broadband: Pros and Cons
The Good
The Gotchas
Summary: Is Foxtel Broadband right for me?
We will give it to you straight. If you’re looking for a cheap and flexible provider, Foxtel Broadband is not for you. But if you want a broadband provider with excellent internet specs – along with pure, unbridled entertainment – then Foxtel Broadband is definitely for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, the NBN is a completely separate service to Foxtel and one doesn’t affect the other. But for customers on Foxtel services delivered via cable rather than satellite, in the coming few years the plan is to shut down the Foxtel service on that cable and hand it over entirely to the NBN. This is some time away yet, but Foxtel will offer those customers options – including switching to satellite delivery with the advanced iQ4 box – when the time comes.
Yes, in many areas the NBN is connected to homes using the cable that was originally rolled out for Foxtel. While it used to be known as “cable internet”, the NBN calls this technology “HFC” and it’s taking advantage of some major upgrades and improvements to the existing cable to deliver much faster broadband.
If you’re connected to Optus NBN via cable (HFC) you may have assumed that you could also get connected to Foxtel via that same cable. But as of recently, Foxtel is no longer offering new connections via cable – instead, new customers connect via satellite, which delivers superior picture quality (up to 4K Ultra HD) via a more advanced set top box (the iQ4). Having Foxtel installed won’t affect your NBN service at all.
While you don’t need the NBN – or any internet connection at all – to receive, watch and record Foxtel’s channels, it’s highly recommended to have a reliable broadband connection at home to take full advantage of al the features Foxtel’s iQ4 set top box has to offer – including on-demand streaming of thousands of hours of shows and movies, and even renting the latest movies from the Foxtel Store.
When you’re setting up your Foxtel iQ box, you’ll be given two options for ways to connect to the NBN – via Ethernet, or using wi-fi. Ethernet is a cable that you plug between your iQ box and your NBN modem/router, and this provides a rock-solid and very reliable internet connection for streaming shows and browsing Foxtel’s other content. If Ethernet isn’t practical, though, don’t worry – the iQ boxes have wi-fi built in, and can connect to your home wi-fi easily – just find your wi-fi access point in the list during setup, and enter the password.
Yes it is – though if you’re switching to the NBN from Foxtel Broadband on ADSL, you’ll need a different type of Foxtel Hub, since the one you’ve been using for ADSL is an older model that doesn’t work with the NBN. One of these will be sent out to you, and you have to use this hub for your Foxtel NBN connection. The new Foxtel Hub is designed especially for the NBN, with support for up to 32 wi-fi devices at the ones time and high-speed connections for Ethernet devices.
While Foxtel’s 90+ TV channels will continue to be delivered via satellite, Foxtel makes great use of the NBN for streaming a huge library of on-demand content on the IQ box, a service available at no extra cost to all customers. With thousands of hours of TV shows, movies, docos and more, it’s a good idea to get your Foxtel iQ box connected to your NBN broadband so you can enjoy everything Foxtel has to offer!
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