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Best NBN 50 Plans

Best NBN 50 Plans

Tags: Telco & Broadband
Last updated by Jacqui Dent on

Best NBN 50 Plans From Big Providers

If you’ve moved to an NBN plan – or are considering making the jump soon – you’re no doubt expecting great speeds, a reliable connection, and value for money. Fortunately, thanks to recent wholesale price changes, getting a fast-and-furious broadband plan has never been more affordable.

Earlier this month, NBN Co. confirmed that customer satisfaction rates are on the rise, coinciding with more and more Australians switching to faster NBN 50 plans. In fact, almost one million customers have signed up for the NBN 50 price tier – over one quarter of all NBN connections. So what is NBN 50, and why is it such a popular option for NBN customers?

What is NBN 50?

NBN plans are currently available at four price and speed points. NBN 12 is the cheapest and slowest; NBN 100 is your ultra-fast premium option; and NBN 25 and NBN 50 fall somewhere in the middle. While NBN 25 is generally fast enough for everyday internet use for individuals and families, if you really want to congestion-proof your plan, NBN 50 is our top pick.

Also known as Standard Plus Evening Speed, NBN 50 offers download speeds of up to 50Mbps (Megabits per second). Your real-world results are unlikely to be quite this fast: depending on your provider and location, you can usually expect speeds of between 30-45Mbps.

Thanks to the recent price drop, many internet providers are scrapping the NBN 25 option completely, in favour of promoting 50Mbps plans. If you’re part of a multi-user household, spend a lot of time streaming and downloading, or just want a smooth and interruption-free connection, NBN 50 plans are an ideal choice.

Telstra NBN 50 Plans

Australia’s top network is promising typical NBN 50 download speeds of around 40Mbps during peak hours, and 45Mbps during quieter traffic times. While Telstra isn’t the cheapest NBN option, the telco does offer both 1000GB and unlimited data plans, with prices beginning at $79 per month.

A word of warning for Telstra users: while you can buy contract-free NBN service, customers who opt for a month-to-month plan will need to pay $435 upfront in setup and modem costs. Sign on for two years, however, and that upfront fee drops to $99.

Optus NBN 50 Plans

Optus’ NBN 50 plans start from $75 per month, and include unlimited data on both month-to-month and 24-month contract options. However, contract-free plans come with a $200 upfront setup fee, which you won’t be required to pay if you commit to a two-year plan.

Optus NBN 50 customers can expect typical peak hour speeds of 36.8 Mbps, and around 47Mbps during off-peak hours. You can also bundle your service with a Fetch Mighty set-top box for an extra $15 per month.

Vodafone NBN 50 Plans

If you’re considering a Vodafone NBN 50 plan, be aware that the telco hasn’t yet released its own typical speed results. Vodafone is also slightly more expensive than major rival Optus, with unlimited data NBN 50 plans priced at $79 per month on a 24-month contract.

No-contract plans are available, but this option comes with an upfront fee of $150. If you’re happy to be locked in for 24 months, this fee is waived (and you’ll get a free 12-month Netflix subscription when you sign up by June 30).

TPG NBN 50 Plans

TPG’s NBN 50 options are a little cheaper than its competitors, with prices beginning at $69.99 monthly for unlimited data, both on or off-contract. If you do sign up for an 18-month plan, you’ll pay $30 upfront, and receive three months of free TPG Mobile service when you bundle. Otherwise, no-contract customers pay $129.95 in setup costs.

TPG lists its typical evening speeds for NBN 50 plans as 44Mbps, which is pretty impressive. In fact, the company has previously been named the number-one provider for fast NBN speeds by the ACCC.

Other providers

It’s not just the big names offering NBN 50 at better-than-ever prices. Below are prices and plans available from smaller providers, including Exetel, amaysim, and Kogan.

Tara Donnelly is an editor at Australia's most comprehensive telco comparison site WhistleOut.

Originally posted on .

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Barbara
Barbara from NSW commented:

I've been with Westnet for the past 10 years. They are the best in customer service I've ever known. They amalgamated with iiNet a few years ago. Can you please tell me your thoughts on iiNet NBN 50? 

Shelia at Fifty Up Club
Shelia at Fifty Up Club from NSW replied to Barbara:

Hi Barbara, please allow me to do some research as I'm not too familiar with iiNet NBN 50. 

Barbara
Barbara from NSW replied to Shelia at Fifty Up Club:

I would appreciate that so much! 

Gillian
Gillian from SA commented:

Do any of these include a home phone with mobile calls included in the price? 

Shelia at Fifty Up Club
Shelia at Fifty Up Club from NSW replied to Gillian:

Hi Gillian, these are just for NBN. We have an article coming soon for home phone, mobile etc. 

susan
susan from QLD commented:

I live in SE Qld n nbn due to do many faults n problems won't be in my street until 2019. I have my phone n Internet with Vodaphone(wifi) n the speed is fine 

Denis
Denis from NSW commented:

Can you advise the best Telstra plan through the 50 Up Club. I would like unlimited download, not necessarily high speed as we are retired and not in business 

Shelia at Fifty Up Club
Shelia at Fifty Up Club from NSW replied to Denis:

Hi Denis, we don't have any current offers with Telstra through FiftyUp Club. The best way to get the plan you want is to call or visit a store and go after exactly what you want. 

Aileen
Aileen from VIC commented:

Can you purchase/ arrange for fibre to the house? Does NBN have to do this? Or are there private contractors you can arrange yourself? 

Alfred
Alfred from QLD replied to Aileen:

I believe that you can through NBN, but, it can cost an awful lot of money, depending on the distance that Fibre has to be rolled out, it can cost anything up to about half a million dollars. 

Anthea-joy
Anthea-joy from VIC commented:

This is the clearest information I have ever read re NBN. I’m not Tec savvy and was unsure where to start. Very well written and clear. Easy to understand and look at all pros and cons. I will now be able to organise my NBN which is currently being installed in my area. Thanks so much. Ann Age 67 a happy senior. 

Shelia at Fifty Up Club
Shelia at Fifty Up Club from NSW replied to Anthea-joy:

You're welcome Ann! 

Someone
Someone from WA commented:

Nice to read something on the NBN options that I can understand Cheers John 

CAROLYN
CAROLYN from QLD commented:

I'm retired and would rather not be on a contract. I'm looking for the best deal. That one called MATE sounds pretty good for a retired person. Please tell me if I'm on the right track as I find this a little confusing. Carolyn 

Alfred
Alfred from QLD replied to CAROLYN:

Hi Carolin, I am not working for Mungi, but, if you are with them, they have a better deal on net plans, bundled with your phone, as they do NOT charge for 1300 calls, whereas most others charge 40 or, 50 cents for each call, that can run up a few dollars in a month. Worth checking out. 

Michael
Michael from VIC replied to Alfred:

Thanks for mentioning Mingi Alfred. Just checked www.productreview.com.au. Great score of 4.9 out of 5 from 266 reviews by users/subscribers - about as high as you could ever expect to see so I'll have a good look at their offerings. 

Michael
Michael from VIC replied to Michael:

Sorry, Mungi, not Mingi 

Michael
Michael from VIC replied to CAROLYN:

That's how it works with Mate. Also consider Aussie Broadband which is similar - no lock in plan and Australian support. Rated highly in www.productreview.com.au 

John
John from NSW commented:

How many elderly people need 100GB or unlimited Data per month. I am happy with Aussie (who for some reason you have omitted their cheaper plan) for month to month which includes home phone with unlimited calls to National and mobiles for $45.00/month. Vow better that plan if you can. Incidentally when I needed information on several occasions it was a remarkably short wait and I could understand the operator who didn't have a strong foreign accent. 

David
David from SA commented:

It's disappointing that the plan label is 50, implying a speed of 50Mbps, but NO plan actually delivers this apparently. Surely this is misleading advertising and shouldn't be tolerated? When I buy 1 dozen eggs, I get 12 eggs! This is NO different!!! Why are people not complaining about this? We REALLY are paying for something that we a NOT getting! WHY???? I won't be connecting to NBN, I'm happy with my Nuskope fixed wireless at 30Mbps. 

Alfred
Alfred from QLD replied to David:

I agree with you David, it is a rip off. Also with the NBN system, the best one is Fibre To The Home, second is Fibre To The Curb, and one of the last is Fibre To The Node, which is hit and miss if it works or not. That one uses the old copper wire from the Node to your home, which could be many metres away. It would be nigh on impossible to get 50Mbps, for which you are most likely paying. It is like buying three litres of milk, but, only getting two litres. 

Diane
Diane from NSW replied to David:

How an you not connect up David. It’s outside my home and Telstra wont leave me alone, even to the point of interrupting my local call with a taped message and letters galore. 

David
David from SA replied to Diane:

Intrusive advertising is nothing new. Ignore it or complain to the ombudsman. We won't be connecting as we utilize a fixed wireless service. We are free to choose. We will lose our old fixed line service, but this is no real loss as the bandwidth required to ensure a reliable voice call has NOT been reserved on fibre to the node services. People are already complaining of the dropouts. Just keep your mobile, you're paying for it anyway and who knows, in 18 months or less we'll have 5G service which is FAR FASTER than the NBN that we have been offered. An agressive pricing model will make NBN completely REDUNDANT!!! 

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