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NewsTelstra NBN plans are great but is there anything better?
Telstra NBN plans are great but is there anything better?

Telstra NBN plans are great but is there anything better?

Last updated by Joe Hanlon on

Based on recent figures, four out of ten Aussie homes and businesses use Telstra services to connect to the internet. Even as the NBN rolls out this figure hasn't changed too much. 

Mostly people are happy to stick it out with the big T.  

But is this the best idea? Are there better NBN plans to consider? Though we all know the plans are more expensive, there are a number of solid reasons to choose Telstra for NBN. For starters, Telstra doesn't sell the slowest NBN speed tier, so every connection offers a big step up in performance from older, slower technologies.  

You also get a special Telstra modem that will automatically connect your home to the Telstra mobile network when there is a network outage. And let's face it, there will always going to be outages from time to time, so this modem is a great idea.  

On top of this, you can also bundle in home entertainment with several of the Telstra plans. You get a choice of installing Foxtel or receiving a Telstra TV box to use with online services like Netflix.   Comparatively the plans are more expensive than with the competition, but you'd argue that you get your money's worth if you plan to make use of the extra features and gadgets.

What about the rest?

The central idea of the new NBN network is that all providers get the same access to the network, regardless of whether they are a big, well known brand or a small upstart company. While Telstra has a strong reputation, it won't necessarily offer a better NBN service.

A key benefit of the smaller brands tends to be that they have their calls centres in Australia. These companies aren't yet big enough to warrant overseas support teams, so you get to speak to a local person who understands the local market.

Two great examples of this are Mate Communicate and Barefoot Telecom.

Also, a number of the smaller players offer no lock-in contracts on NBN plans. They understand that you need to build trust with their service, so they give you the option to leave anytime.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. Telstra offers a great range of NBN plans and is easy to recommend, but there are a number of newer, cheaper options to check out before you sign on the line.

Joseph Hanlon is the publisher at Australia's most comprehensive telco comparison site WhistleOut.

Originally posted on .

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David
David from QLD commented:

Telstra are HOPELESS whenever there is a problem or fault. The poor Filipinos who get calls about this never have any information about outages, that is if you can even get through (3 days trying and dropped out lines -- sometimes such a backlog you can't even hold). You will spend hours and days trying to get any issues resolved and the real culprit behind a lot of it is the NBN in my area (still using copper wires and no option to upgrade). Multiple times have had internet and land line and Telstra TV out for days. Latest is 5 days and only offered $17 in compensation. As I am a senior and just out of my 24 month contract (latest after 30 years with Telstra), I am now looking elsewhere ! 

Someone
Someone from SA commented:

I live in a rural area; although less than 6 klms from a Town in SA. NBN only offers Sky Muster Satellite; there's multiple providers; all of which I've never heard of! I'm presently with Telstra mobile for internet, it's very expensive with limited GB. I pay over $280 per month for 2 mobile phones and with only 34 GB. Is there anything better on offer? Thanks Mary Fahy email: myhaf2@bigpond.com 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

We have prepaid wireless internet and prepaid mobile phones. We just need a landline service from NBN. Is there such a plan? 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

Gee. Anti Optus or what? I wouldn't touch telstra with a 10 foot pole. I've got unlimited, very fast, (100/40), HFC NBN broadband along with Fetch TV for $100 p/m from optus. Even if you don't want the $20 add on speed pack, the basic speeds Optus offers are much faster than many of these other companies. 

Robert
Robert from NSW commented:

Hi Anonymous, I've been with Telstra since Adam was a pup. Landline, mobiles and now NBN. Never had a problem - ever. And I do like to do business with an Oz owned company, 

Allan
Allan from NSW replied to Robert:

I have also been with Telstra for many many years and always spoke highly of them , untill something out of my control went wrong > they are not interested in solving problems ( NBN -no internet for 4 weeks and it took 6 weeks to get my original phone no back , a number that i have had for 40 plus years !! still getting wrong bill 12 months later No one wants to take responsibility ) will be off to Optus !! 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I have had nothing more than trouble with Telstra and will be kicking them to the kerb - I have had to contact the ombudsman several times during the past twelve months and am over them - and I am not the only one - and a warning to everyone - check you phone bill even if you have to go back four to five years - you might just find you are paying for something you didn't ask for or need like we did - it cost Telstra a four figure cash refund for our complaint and at the present another member of our family is also in negotiations for same including loss of earnings due to their bloody mindedness - as for the NBN - we have been told it is only 2 klms away and yet we still have no NBN connection - this whole scenario has been nothing more than a cash grab 

Mary
Mary from VIC commented:

I've had my phone line with Telstra for several years with no problems, but recently moved house and dealing with T over the move has been a nightmare. I asked for the line to be moved to the new place on the day I was moving, and NBN to be connected the following Monday. They cut off my phone line at the old place 11 days early, and despite hours of conversation on many occasions it was never reconnected. I also had the Ombudsman involved but it didn't seem to make any difference. Their customer service is non-existent; if you can get through on the phone at all the person you speak to never does what they promise. I was planning to get Telstra NBN when I moved, but am so sick of the problems my only choice of NBN provider now is "anyone but Telstra". Then the other day I got a bill from them up to 4 Feb, despite the fact they had cut me off almost two weeks before that and despite the fact the Ombudsman had contacted them on my behalf. Gill from Victoria 

margaret
margaret from NSW replied to Mary:

Oh Yes Yes Yes. I have written a few times about the many, many,many problems I have had with Telstra's internet connection at one place and dongal and phone connect at an other, so I won't bore you all again. Just a second friendly reminder that although you will get a friendly easy to understand Aussie based call to start you off, after that, when the many,many problems occur you are contacting an overseas call centre and... well do I need I continue ????..... 

margaret
margaret from NSW commented:

Oh yes I paid for the hire of two phones for years. I only had one. It was not a large amount however I did receive a very generous amount from Telstra as a 'sorry'. Yes, do check. 

Someone
Someone from NSW replied to margaret:

Our son was charged for two smart phone accounts that he never had - despite many hours on the phone to Telstra regarding this they removed all access to his work mobile and website that governed his business - the matter has now been handed over to a reputable Trader with good access to Telstra locally - the Ombudsman is also involved in this as well - there will also be a claim for a cash refund as well as loss of business 

Robert
Robert from NSW commented:

I have what must be an old Telstra plan - Telstra Small Bundle. Recently upped to 50Gb data plus a home phone line. $60/month. Suits me fine. 

Ray
Ray from QLD commented:

Why do I have to pay for an expensive bundle when all I want is a land line and the internet nothing else. Why isn't there a plan that covers this. 

Kye
Kye from NSW commented:

At present i have a 2.5 G from Optus which i use mainly for emails and quick checks of Facebook most of my research is at the library or uni but sometimes i think it would be nice to have extended data so i don't need to go to the library will wait and see what and who is offered KT 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I am on a Telstra NBN plan. My NBN was down for 19days last month there was no mobile link offered. Only aft er much complaining did the give me a few GB of data to use with my mobile phone. Robert from Bargo 

Sandra
Sandra from NSW commented:

Sadly, after Telstra assuring me I have a signal in our area( our NBN comes from a tower some ks away), after making all the required changes, it was discovered that I in fact don't have a signal, so everything changed back again. Our internet, mobile and wi.fi connections are all Telstra, but the service is pretty ordinary. All depends on the weather, it seems. Good luck to those who can get the connection 

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