Before the 1990s, Australian communication was centred around voice transmission. There were reports of ARPANET connections in Australia during the 1970s. These are through international dial-up service offered by the Overseas Telecommunication Commission (OTC). Data connections are very limited. It’s because the network was designed for voice. In 1989, AARNet provided the first permanent internet access in Australian Universities.
By mid-1990, dial-up ISPs were introduced in the entire country. Optus and Telstra have separately made internet plans available in Australia. In 2007, iiNet introduced the first DSL internet plan. Australia set up the National Broadband Network (NBN) in 2009. It’s a government project to speed up digital transmissions. By 2013, it used a multi-technology mix leading to the completion of the project this 2020. Let’s now see what internet plans are available in Australia.
There’s a sheer number of internet providers in the land down under. Below is a shortlist of what internet plans are available that provide the best service as of 2020.
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Aussie Broadband
Founded by Phillip Britt, Aussie Broadband internet plans have been available since 2008. The company offers 28 internet plans with monthly prices ranging from $59.00 to $429.00. Aussie Broadband is an excellent choice for small businesses. It offers telephony technology at an affordable price. It also has an outstanding customer service reputation.
iiNet
Naked DSL internet plans are available in iiNet up until today. It’s one of the few companies still using such technology. Founded in 1993 by Michael Malone and Michael O’Reilly, it offers 63 plans, which include ADSL, cable, fibre, and naked DSL internet services. Monthly plan prices range from $39.99 to $119.99. iiNet has won prestigious awards in customer service and technical support. They offer excellent entertainment bundles. The only downside is that they are available in limited locations.
Internode
Internode was founded by Simon Hackett in 1991. Nineteen NBN internet plans are available with monthly prices ranging from $49.99 to $99.99. The company has been a customer’s favourite. It has a long-standing positive reputation for customer service and technical support. Even though they offer expensive internet service, they earned customer loyalty by being competitive.
Kogan Internet
Ruslan Kogan founded Kogan Internet in 2006. The cheapest NBN internet plans are available in this company. Monthly plan prices range from $57.90 to $134.90. Kogan Internet offers a zero-fee activation with premium speed. One downside of a Kogan plan is not offering bonuses and perks. It also has limited customer service and lacks online account management.
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Optus
Optus was founded by Paul O’Sullivan in 1981. Around 8 NBN internet plans are available on the said company. Monthly plan prices range from $75.00 to $165.00. In 2012, Optus made a radical shift by offering 4G wireless internet plans. Being a long time competitor of Telstra, Optus is now the first Australian telco to offer 5G.
Southern Phone
Founded in 2002, Southern Phone is the largest telco in regional Australia. Around 21 internet plans are available in the company. These cover ADSL, cable, and wireless. Monthly plan prices range from $50.00 to $190.00. They have been known to provide excellent customer service and fast internet speed. Also, they have a 24/7 customer service call centre located in the country. The only downside of the company is the costly exit fees on each contract.
Tangerine Telecom
Designated as Australia’s juiciest NBN provider, Tangerine Telecom was founded by brothers Andrew and Richard Branson. It’s an internet plan available in Australia since 2013. It offers 18 affordable plans using fixed lines and wireless connections. Monthly plan prices range from $49.90 to $84.90. With a customer base of 40,000, the company does not only provide cheap internet. It’s also known for its incomparable customer service.
Telstra
The largest internet provider in Australia is Telstra. It was founded in 1975 but adopted its trading name in 1995. ADSL, cable, mobile broadband, and NBN fixed-line internet plans are available among 23 options. Monthly plan prices range from $75.00 to $300.00. What’s good about Telstra is its national pricing on all plans. Most choices are contract-free and offer extras like Foxtel Now, smart home accessories, Telstra Air, and Telstra TV. The downside is that Telstra plans are expensive and they have a bad customer service reputation.
TPG
TPG has successfully positioned itself as a cut-price internet provider. David Teoh founded TPG in 1986. He transformed the company’s investment from computer retailing into internet services. TPG internet services are available in 63 NBN choices. Monthly plan prices range from $29.99 to $119.99. TPG plans are attractive because they offer the fastest NBN speed at a low-cost. The company’s downsides are having no mobile broadband options and peak hours connection issues.
Vodafone
Vodafone is commonly associated with cellular phones. It was founded in the United Kingdom by Ernest Harrison and Gerry Whent in 1982. It entered the Australian market in 2009. Vodafone’s internet plans are available in 13 mobile broadband and NBN fixed-lines choices. Monthly prices range from $20.00 to $99.00. Vodafone offers fast download speeds, a secured network, and unlimited data. They also have a 4G WiFi hub backup in case there’s a slow NBN connection.
The Bottom Line
There is a wide range of choices among what internet plans are available in Australia. The top 10 best providers are listed above. To decide what works best for you, consider the cost, how much data you need, and the internet speed. It also helps to look at reviews. Don’t forget to assess customer service and technical support because they play important roles in the long run.
