Based on Digital 2020, an annual report on the world’s internet and mobile usage, there are 4.54 billion internet users around the globe. The average amount of time spent per day on the internet by each user is 6 hours and 43 minutes. In Australia alone, there are 22.31 million internet users, which is 88% of the total population. An Aussie spends an average of 5 hours and 41 minutes each day on the internet.
No wonder why internet speed is one of the most controversial subjects in the country. Almost everyone is racing against each other on the information superhighway. Catering to the needs of millions of internet users, there are over a hundred NBN providers offering a wide range of broadband services and internet plans. And the list just keeps growing.
Thus, we made this guide to share to you Australia’s best NBN providers in terms of performance and speed. No, this is not another hearsay or paid review. This one is based on the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) recent report for the second quarter of 2020. Read on.
Note: Busy hours run from 7pm to 11pm.
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iPrimus
First on our list is iPrimus. The company offers a small set of NBN plans that includes month to month and 12-month contract terms, Fetch entertainment bundles, call packs, and home phone line. Based on ACCC’s performance data, iPrimus reached 79% of its maximum download speeds during the busiest hour. Whereas, amid busy hours, it reached 82.5% of its maximum download speeds and 82.2 % of its maximum upload speeds.
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Dodo
Coming in close to iPrimus is Dodo. This provider offers NBN plans you can bundle with their own energy plans, as well as Fetch entertainment and additional channel packs. According to ACCC’s performance data, Dodo reached 79% of its maximum download speeds during the busiest hour. Between hustling hours, it reached 82.5% of its maximum download speeds and 82.2 % of its maximum upload speeds.
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MyRepublic
Next on our list is MyRepublic. Since it started way back 2016, the NBN provider has been providing amazing NBN plans to thousands of subscribers. Now, it’s offering gamer-focused plans delivering low latency and good server connectivity. Based on the broadband performance report of ACCC, MyRepublic hit 77.8% of its maximum download speeds during the busiest hour. It also delivered 82.9% of its maximum download speeds and 83.9% of its maximum upload speeds in the course of the busy hours.
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Vodafone
The lucky seven on this list is Vodafone. This NBN provider offers a simple set of plans that covers three speed tiers and includes a 4G backup modem on each of its available NBN plans. Just recently added to the ACCC quarterly report, Vodafone is said to have reached 78.6% of its maximum download speeds within the busiest hour. In the thick of the busy hours, it reached 83% of its maximum download speeds and 82.2% of its maximum upload speeds.
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iiNet
Next, we have one of the oldest internet providers in Australia, iiNet. The company offers regular fixed-line plans, as well as satellite plans and NBN internet plans. In ACCC’s broadband performance chart, iiNet hit 78% of its maximum download speeds during the busiest hour. Between the hustle and bustle periods, it reached 83.9% of its maximum download speeds and 84.2% of its maximum upload speeds.
Top 10 Fastest NBN Providers in Australia
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Telstra
Moving on to the fifth, we have Telstra, also known as Australia’s largest mobile network. The company offers both internet-only plans and NBN bundles. As reported by ACCC, during the busiest hour, Telstra reached 80.1% of its maximum download speeds. On the other hand, it delivered 83.9% of its maximum download speeds and 82.7% of its maximum upload speeds during busy hours.
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Aussie Broadband
For our top four, we throw the baton to Aussie Broadband. Founded in 2008, this provider offers pre-made NBN plans and customisable broadband plans at five different speed tiers. As per ACCC’s performance report, Aussie Broadband hit 82.2% of its maximum download speeds during the busiest hour. Within the most active hours, it reached 86.1% of its maximum download speeds and 82.9% of its maximum upload speeds.
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TPG
Standing on our podium after finishing third is TPG. The company is one of Australia’s leading internet service providers, offering straightforward NBN plans in three different speed tiers. As shown in the recent performance data report of ACCC, TPG delivered 76.4% of its maximum download speeds during the busiest hour. Between peak hours, it hit 86.7% of its maximum download speeds and 87% of its maximum upload speeds, which is quite impressive.
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Exetel
The silver medal goes to Exetel, a family-operated company and independent internet service provider. It offers a wide selection of mobile and wireless broadband plans, including three unlimited NBN plans. According to ACCC’s latest performance data, Exetel successfully targeted 82.2% of its maximum download speeds during the busiest hour. Also, in the span of the most active hours, it hit 87% of its maximum download speeds and 88.3% of its maximum upload speeds. How remarkable!
And the winner is…
- Optus
Optus is among the largest internet providers in Australia, offering a wide range of NBN plans and bundles. Topping the recent ACCC performance data report, it is unquestionably one of the best when it comes to performance. Optus knocked out other telcos by delivering 87.5% of its maximum download speeds during the busiest hour. Outstandingly, it reached 89.3% of its maximum download speeds and 86.8% of its maximum upload speeds during peak hours. If your NBN plan is with Optus, you’re surely a gold medalist!
So, there you have it. But wait. We have given you the 10 fastest providers as declared by ACCC, but this doesn’t mean you have to transfer to one of them right away or force yourself to buy their fastest internet plans. Do take note that the results are based on a limited sample of population and not entirely based on your actual needs. Plus, you don’t need to subscribe to an NBN100 plan if you live in a small household or when all you do all day long is post your photos on Facebook.
In the end, speed is not the sole metric when measuring the performance of an NBN provider. Cost of contract, customer support, quality of service, and satisfaction ratings should also be considered when finding the perfect NBN plan. Most importantly, your choice should match your data needs because everything goes back to you, the internet user.
