The National Broadband Network, or NBN, is a government-owned and operated wholesale broadband network in Australia. It aims to provide high-speed internet access to different households and businesses in the country. Now, NBN has different plans, and choosing one among them can be confusing. 

One thing you need to remember is that there is no such thing as the “best internet plan.” The best plan is the one that is most suitable for your needs. In the article below, we will try to find out which of all the NBN internet plans will be the most suitable for your household.  

The Number of Devices: 

The first thing to consider when choosing the most suitable internet plan is the number of people using the connection and the devices connected. If you have many devices connected to the internet at the same time, you will need a plan with a higher speed. 

Usage Pattern: 

Once you have determined the number of devices, you need to consider the usage pattern. If you are someone who regularly uploads or downloads big files on the internet, you need a high-speed internet connection. However, if you need it for streaming videos and browsing, a slower plan will suffice. In addition, if you are a remote employee working from your home, opting for a high-speed internet plan is a must. As remote working becomes the new normal, you need to find a plan that is genuinely reliable. Considering these points will ensure you don’t face connectivity issues while working online. 

Talk to Your Internet Provider: 

After you have determined the number of connected devices and the usage pattern, it is time to talk to your internet provider. In Australia, NBN is one of the most popular internet networks. So, if you are on any other plans, it is time to reconsider your choice. 

Talk to your provider and ask them about the available plans. If you are already an NBN user and currently facing difficulties with your existing plan, discuss the problems with your provider and ask them for the right solution. 

The Type of Connection Available: 

The type of connection available plays a crucial role in determining the most suitable plan. NBN offers three types of internet connection technologies: Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), Fixed Wireless, and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC). 

• FTTP connection: In an FTTP connection, fibre optic cable runs directly from the internet provider to your home. This technology provides a fast and extremely reliable internet connection. It is best suited for households with heavy internet usage. 
• Fixed wireless: Internet is delivered via radio signals from a nearby tower to an antenna on your property. The speed is decent. However, it is prone to weather or line-of-sight problems. 
• HFC connection: Here, the fibre optic cable runs to a nearby node, then the coaxial cable connects the node to your property. It generally offers good speed, but can slow down during peak hours.

Comparison of the Most Popular Plans

Here is a short comparison of the five most popular home internet plans offered by NBN: 

• Home basic I: 

• Provides standard or high definition screening
• Best for normal internet browsing, basic online games, and making phone calls. 
• Needs 3 hours or more to download a 10 GB file. 
• Can upload a 1 GB file within 3 hours. 

• Home Basic II: 

• Provides 4K streamlining in one device
• Best for normal internet browsing and video calls. 
• Needs 1 hour and 10 minutes to download a 10 GB file.
• Needs 35 minutes to upload a 1 GB file. 

• Home Standard: 
• Streaming in 4 K resolution on one or two devices at the same time. 
• Best for online gaming and attending online meetings. 
• Needs 35 minutes to download a 10 GB file. 
• Can upload a 1 GB file in 9 minutes. 

• Home Superfast: 
• Smooth 4 K streaming on up to 10 devices. 
• Can play online games, operate cloud-based platforms, and enjoy smooth video calling.
• Needs 7 minutes to download a 10GB file. 
• Can upload a 1 GB file in less than 7 minutes. 

• Home Ultra Fast: 

• Smooth 4K streamlining on more than 10 devices at one time.
• Highly reliable and offers seamless access to all internet activities. 
• Downloads a 10 GB file within 2 minutes. 
• Uploading a 1 GB file takes less than 4 minutes.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, there is no such thing as the best internet plan, and the ultimate decision boils down to your needs and preferences. If you need an internet connection for basic browsing and streaming, a connection with normal speed will suffice. But if you need it for meetings and access to cloud-based services, you will need a plan with higher speed.