The Australian NBN infrastructure is 99% complete in 2020. To date, there are more than 100 NBN service providers in the whole mainland. This gives Australian households the power to choose and switch between NBN subscriptions. Switching between internet plans is fairly easy, but finding the best plan that suits your needs and monthly budget is a real challenge. For that to become less difficult, you can compare broadband plans at CompareBroadband.com.au or read this article first and learn about the things you should know before switching.
WHY SHOULD YOU SWITCH TO A NEW BROADBAND PROVIDER?
Below are common reasons why Australians switch to a new broadband plan.
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Looking for a cheaper and faster WiFi plan
New ISP providers entered the Australian NBN market. Typically, they offer cheaper pricing and faster internet speed on their broadband plans. If you have been with your broadband plan for quite some time, it may be smart to explore new offerings. This can mean a cheaper monthly internet bill and faster internet connections.
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Needing an upgrade of your current internet subscription.
Your current WiFi plan may no longer suit your internet connection needs. You may need a faster speed because you’re now into gaming or online streaming. There may be new members in your household and you need a stronger bandwidth. As such, switching is the best solution to upgrade.
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Too much headache with your current broadband plan.
We all make bad decisions every once in a while. When it comes to WiFi subscriptions, it may not be a bad choice at first but then, it eventually became a nightmare. With so many NBN service providers in Australia, you can switch plans to avoid the stress of having a poor internet connection as you are experiencing in your current plan.
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Your WiFi plan is no longer under contract.
Most NBN providers offer a monthly discount for new subscribers who signed up for a lock-in period. It may either be a 6-month, 12-month, 18-month, 24-month, or 36-month contract. Once a subscriber is no longer under contract, they commonly look to switch broadband plans to avail of another discount scheme for their internet service.
6 THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE SWITCHING BROADBAND PLANS
Here are the 6 things you need to think about before switching broadband plans.
Contract length
Before switching internet plans, decide if you are willing to enter a lock-in period or not. Most new plans offer a discounted rate if you sign up for a specific time coverage. Look at the contract’s length and check if the lock-in period offered can best serve your interest.
Customer service
Before switching broadband plans, you should consider the reputation of the NBN service provider. Go for telcos with good customer service. It may be worthwhile to check for reviews and testimonials about the telco plans and services.
Extra add-ons bundled in the broadband plan
Before switching to an internet subscription, you may also need to consider the features of your existing broadband plan. Are they the same as the other plans? Or are the new plans equipped with more add-ons and features? It may be wise to choose a broadband plan where you pay a monthly fee and optimise the other services offered besides internet connectivity.
Price
One thing you should look into before switching WiFi plans is the price. If you are patient enough to do research, you may find a plan that offers the same data allowance, speed, and extra add-ons at a cheaper price.
Speed
You have to be aware of the speed ranges per NBN tier offered.
- NBN 12 speed ranges from 10 to 12 Mbps.
- NBN 25 speed ranges from 15 to 25 Mbps.
- NBN 50 speed ranges from 30 to 50 Mbps.
- NBN 100 speed ranges from 60 to 100 Mbps.
When browsing deals, always remember that the typical evening speed of a broadband plan can be affected by off-peak and peak usage hours.
Technology
You may want to look at the infrastructure or technology used by the NBN service provider. It may take a little time but it pays for doing some research. Compare if the broadband subscription you are considering uses HFC, fibre, or satellite technology. Today, fibre optics is the most dependable NBN infrastructure. This is because HFC is an outdated concept while satellite internet is relatively a new concept.