Telstra Broadband Review: Internet and Your Choice of TV Entertainment


Summary

Our Verdict

Telstra Broadband


Telstra's world-leading broadband offers speed, service and simplicity

 
Overall 89%
Plans
Extras
Value

Review was updated on 26 May 2021

Telstra has made a resurgence in recent years, adopting a fresh attitude alongside a willingness to change and improve. The result has been a company with the best network and reach in Australia, helping us communicate with ease whilst offering entertainment bundles that help us catch all our favourite films and series.

The oldest and most experienced telco in Australia, Telstra started listening more closely to their customers’ needs and concerns in recent years. The onset of increased competition – along with some refreshing new thinking at the top level – has led to a change in the way they do things. And the customer is reaping the rewards.

What’s In this Review

Telstra Broadband Review

A short while back, Telstra started offering month-to-month contracts on all plans and and unlimited downloads on most. This move has seen Telstra again top the charts among Aussies and shows that after a period of time when they were sometimes criticised, they have become competitive again. They’ve also embraced bundling perhaps more than any other Aussie telco. Their current bundled streaming options include Telstra TV 3, as well as various Foxtel plans.

So, if you’ve lived in Australia for five minutes or more, you’ve surely heard of Telstra – and you’ve probably also used one or more of their telecommunications services over the years. But are they right for you? Is their coverage – long considered the best in Australia – still truly world class? Have they managed to keep their costs down? We’ve gone through all of the relevant info to bring you all of the most important answers to those questions. Read on to find out what we’ve discovered!

What is Telstra Broadband?

No other Aussie telco can match Telstra’s extensive network and expertise in the industry. Every Telstra Broadband service comes with the Telstra Smart Modem Gen 2, which gives you excellent wi-fi speeds and uninterrupted internet access thanks to its built-in 4G backup. Telstra’s Broadband Protect gives you insulation from online threats, which is great for families or anyone who is concerned about their privacy and viruses online (which should be everyone).

All Telstra broadband plans also come with a home phone line with no line rental charge – and unlimited phone calls to anywhere in Australia, including the usually expensive calls to mobile phones. It’s a huge inclusion, considering that only a few short years ago, you’d have been paying around $35 for line rental and were billed for each and every call. If you value your home phone for keeping in touch with the people that matter most, this is a brilliant feature of Telstra’s plans.

Telstra Broadband members also get access to Telstra Air, which is a network of over one million Wi-Fi data hotspots across the country as well as millions more around the world. Telstra also has deals for seniors and pensioners so it’s worthwhile speaking to a member of their customer service team to find out the best possible deal, as these are always changing.

What Broadband Plans are Available?

Telstra’s plans are available on a month-to-month contract, though if you stay for 24 months you can keep the Smart Modem, as well as entertainment devices such as Telstra TV or Xbox One if they’re bundled in. There’s a $99 connection fee for new customers on the plans, but that’s waived if you order your service online. Both the NBN and ADSL options are available with unlimited data. The Standard Speed Plan is configured on the NBN25 speed tier while the Standard Plus Speed Plan runs on the faster NBN50. There’s also the Premium NBN100 Speed Plan (for FTTP, FTTC and HFC only). All internet plans can be bundled with a variety of entertainment options.

Telstra NBN plans

Keeping it simple, Telstra now only offers unlimited plans, with the 500GB option connected at NBN 25 no longer available. The starter unlimited plan connects also at the NBN25 speed while it’s only $10/month extra to get to the next speed plan (NBN50), making it ideal for families or shared households, especially if streaming video is a popular entertainment choice. Optionally, customers can opt for the Premium upgrade to NBN100, the fastest speed available; however, this speed is only available to users on Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) and cable (HFC) connection types.

Last audited 2nd of January 2023

Telstra ADSL plans

Telstra still offers ADSL plans for those who haven’t yet switched over to the NBN, and their month-to-month pricing also applies to their ADSL broadband plans. The decision you’ll have to make is whether or not to go with a download limit. There are two choices: a data limit of 500GB or Unlimited data. Speed will depend on where you are located, but given that even 500GB isn’t much these days, you might not be doing much streaming or downloading with the lower limit. However, a 500GB limit does make a lot of sense with the slower speed of ADSL, although Telstra did retire the 500GB data plan recently in favor of offering an all-unlimited plans.

Telstra High Speed Add-ons

Telstra has also launched their new speed add-ons: Superfast (NBN250) and Ultrafast (NBN1000) for $30 and $50 per month, respectively, on top of the base NBN100 plan.

Last audited 2nd of January 2023

Telstra TV Plan

On top of offering one of the fastest and most reliable broadband services in Australia, Telstra also offers very competitive internet and entertainment bundles. The key options here include Telstra broadband bundled in with the Telstra TV 3 streaming box. Packed with powerful features, the Telstra TV 3 allows you stream all your favourite shows from leading streaming providers including all free to air catch up services, plus streaming giants such as BINGE, Netflix, Stan, hayu, Foxtel Now, Amazon Prime Video, Telstra TV Box Office and Kayo Sports. Again with unlimited data options, these bundles also come with 20,000 Telstra Plus Bonus Points, the latest Telstra Smart Modem, and no connection fee. You also have the option to opt out at any time and only need to pay out the remaining cost of the Telstra TV box and modem if you leave in less than 24 months. 

Last audited 2nd of January 2023

Telstra Xbox All Access Plan

Video gaming is a vital part of our entertainment culture these days, with the latest games drawing bigger audiences than blockbuster movies. So it makes sense for Telstra to offer plans that bundle their fast home broadband with a game console. Telstra’s partnership with Microsoft has resulted in them offering the Xbox All Access bundle, which is an amazing deal and a great way to get your game on without having to spend up big on a console and games to play on it. Xbox All Access gets you an Xbox One S console as well as a subscription to Game Pass Ultimate, instantly granting full access to hundreds of games of all kinds, from Minecraft to Metro and everything in between. You can optionally upgrade the console included to the more powerful Xbox One X if you’d prefer – and the console is yours to keep after you’ve stayed connected for 24 months.

Last audited 2nd of January 2023

Join the Telstra Plus Loyalty Program

Telstra Broadband customers now get free membership to Telstra Plus, the new rewards program that delivers a range of valuable perks for all customers, while also giving you reward points that you can redeem for a range of desirable tech items. Customers can sign up instantly on the Telstra Plus web site or via the My Telstra app to start taking advantage of the perks and receiving points right away.

There are three tiers of Telstra Plus membership, based on the amount of money you spend on Telstra products and services over a one-year period. All new members automatically get Member-tier membership, which grants perks such as discounted movie and sport tickets, pre-sale access to concert and arts tickets, and chances to win experiences that money can’t buy. The Silver tier adds member support service, 30% off a Telstra TV from the Rewards Store, and 25% off selected shows and movies on Telstra TV Box Office. And those on the Gold tier get VIP service, free Telstra TV from the Rewards Store, and 50% off on Telstra TV Box Office entertainment.

All members accumulate points at a rate of 10 points for every dollar spent. Those points can be redeemed in the Telstra Plus rewards store on a vast range of desirable tech – smartphones, earbuds, 5G modems, smart speakers, smart watches, gaming headsets and much more. As a free ongoing bonus with your Telstra Broadband service, it adds even more value to what is already one of the best broadband packages around.

Kayo from Telstra

One of the handy things about getting your internet through Telstra is that you’ve got access to a range of add-on services that you can easily add to your account at any time, and pay for on your regular monthly bill (earning Telstra Plus points in the process!) Kayo Sports is one of the most popular add-on services with Telstra customers, and with exclusive high definition live and on-demand coverage of premium sport from Australia and around the world, it’s not hard to see why. Getting Kayo from Telstra currently has a very desirable perk, too – it’ll cost you a whole $10/month less for the first 12 months! So that’s $15/month for Kayo Basic (2 screens) or $25/month for Kayo Premium (3 screens).

Last audited 5th March 2024

BINGE from Telstra

Offering the best in premium entertainment – drama, comedy, docos, lifestyle and much more – streaming service BINGE! With access to the acclaimed HBO library of shows amongst its thousands of hours of TV and movies, it’s a must-have for any entertainment fan. As a Telstra customer you can add BINGE to your account and enjoy the free months you can get with your plan, then pay for it easily on your monthly Telstra bill.

Last audited 5th March 2024

Netflix and Other Subscriptions on Your Telstra Account

The convenience of getting your streaming subscriptions through Telstra extends to a wide range of other services, including the entertainment powerhouse Netflix. You can also subscribe to Foxtel Now, DocPlay, Garage and AnimeLab (all with the first month free) and reality streaming service hayu, which gives you months of free access. You can also add on subscriptions for Aussies sports apps – AFL, NRL, Netball and A-League.

Telstra Broadband Features

With Telstra Broadband, it’s clear that you get what you pay for and more. It’s not only internet you get, and a fast one at that, you also enjoy all the benefits and conveniences you can experience as a Telstra customer. Nearly everything you’ll ever need, broadband and entertainment-wise, are all here, plus so many more add-ons like Kayo Sports and gaming bundles.

What are Telstra Broadband’s Best Features?

  • Telstra Smart Modem included
  • Get loyalty rewards via Telstra Plus
  • Add entertainment add-ons to your account
  • Pay all subscriptions in one bill
  • NBN Satisfaction Guarantee for new customers
  • Free streaming offers with BINGE and Foxtel Now
  • One of the NBN providers to top Netflix’s ISP Index

How to Contact Telstra Broadband

Call 13 22 00 from 8 am to 9 pm Australian Eastern Time to be connected to a Telstra customer service representative. They’ve also got a 24/7 chat function on their website, as well as the CrowdSupport forum which will be able to answer loads of your questions. Telstra’s call centre is primarily based in the Philippines with some supplementary Australian support, and more Aussie call centres are in the planning stages.

Telstra Broadband summary

As the biggest and most experienced telco in Australia, Telstra has a deserved reputation for top-quality connections and excellent bundles. Telstra has made several changes in recent years and while they used to be a tad expensive, that’s no longer the case. They get an 89 per cent rating according to our score. If you want guaranteed top-quality broadband plus loads of extras, Telstra is the provider for you.

The Good

  • Massive, very fast network.
  • Comprehensive range of services
  • Save big when you bundle

The Gotchas

  • Can be expensive
  • Best value when bundled with other Telstra services.

Frequently Asked Questions about Telstra Broadband

Can I Switch from ADSL to NBN on the Same Account?

Yes – if you get connected to ADSL through Telstra, you can easily switch over to the NBN when the time comes, and your existing plan will just switch over to the new network seamlessly.

Do I Need a Telstra TV Box to Get Streaming Services from Telstra?

While Telstra TV makes it even easier to add streaming services to your Telstra account, you don’t need to own a Telstra TV box to take advantage of the convenience (and the special offers). Just visit your Telstra account page on the web (or sign in to the My Telstra app on your phone or tablet) and you can find the range of services you can add in the “My Offers” section.

Can I Keep the Telstra TV or Xbox I Get with My Bundle?

All of Telstra’s broadband bundle plans, while contract-free, are based around you staying connected for 24 months. After that time, your Xbox game console, Telstra TV box and smart modem become yours outright. If you need to cancel before 24 months is up, you can just pay out the remaining instalments for the devices and keep them.

What Is Included in the Telstra TV Bundle?

Containing everything you need to get set up and streaming, this bundle connects you to fast Telstra NBN broadband at the NBN25 or NBN50 speed tier – perfect for video streaming with enough speed to handle family usage. You get a home phone line with unlimited calls within Australia, Telstra’s Smart Modem with 4G backup, three months of free access to BINGE, 20,000 Telstra Plus rewards points, and the acclaimed Telstra TV 3 box to handle all your streaming needs, from Kayo to Netflix.

Is There A Long-Term Contract for This Bundle?

Telstra’s approach to contracts has changed in recent years, and the Telstra TV bundle is no exception. While it offers the best value if you stay connected for 24 months, you’re free to leave at any time, and all you’ll need to pay is the remaining cost of your Telstra TV and Smart Modem.

Are Streaming Services Data-Free with this Bundle?

While none of the popular streaming services are “unmetered” – that is, their usage is counted against your data allowance – with the broadband plan included in this bundle you get unlimited data so there’s no need to worry about data usage when streaming at all, just watch what you want, when you want.

Why Can’t I Select the Premium NBN100 Plan?

Telstra only offers NBN100 connections to addresses where the NBN connection type is either Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or cable (HFC). That’s to ensure that the promised speed can be delivered 100% of the time, something other NBN technologies can’t guarantee.

Is Foxtel Through Telstra the Same as Regular Foxtel?

Absolutely! Telstra has been an alternative way to subscribe to Foxtel for years, and if you order one of the Foxtel internet bundles, you’ll be getting the full-featured Foxtel satellite service, with the same Foxtel iQ4 set top box.

Do I Get to Keep the Games I Get with the Xbox Bundle?

Introduced as a way of rewarding loyal Telstra customers, Telstra Plus is a rewards program where you earn points for every dollar you spend on Telstra products and services – and that includes your monthly subscription to this bundle. The games that you get access to as part of Xbox Game Pass can only be used while you remain a subscriber to that service – but you can buy any of the games to own with a generous discount if you want.

What Is Telstra Plus?

Introduced as a way of rewarding loyal Telstra customers, Telstra Plus is a rewards program where you earn points for every dollar you spend on Telstra products and services – and that includes your monthly subscription to this bundle. Points can be spent on a wide range of items, from desirable tech gadgets and useful accessories to mobile phones and mobile broadband modems.