Every "Best NBN Provider" article you've read was paid for. Comparison sites make money when you click through and sign up. The providers paying the most get recommended the most. Here's what an unsponsored list actually looks like.
I have no affiliate relationships with any ISP. I don't get paid if you sign up with anyone. I'm recommending these providers because they're genuinely good — and because I'm tired of seeing the same sponsored recommendations everywhere.
Why “just ask a friend” doesn’t work
Here’s the problem with friend recommendations: their situation is probably nothing like yours.
Same ISP, Completely Different Experience
Your friend in Armstrong Creek
iiNet on NBN FTTP, getting 900 Mbps, loves it
Great experienceYou in Geelong West
iiNet on NBN FTTN, getting 35 Mbps, miserable
Same ISP, different storyWhat affects your experience:
- Your NBN
NBN
National Broadband Network
Australia's government-built wholesale internet network. NBN Co builds the infrastructure, then internet providers buy access to sell you a connection.
Full definition → technology — FTTPFTTP
Fibre to the Premises
The fastest NBN technology — fibre optic cable runs directly to your home. Capable of speeds up to 1000 Mbps or more.
Full definition → , HFCHFC
Hybrid Fibre Coaxial
NBN delivered via the old pay TV cable network. Fibre to the street, then coaxial cable to your home. Can be fast but affected by neighbourhood congestion.
Full definition → , FTTNFTTN
Fibre to the Node
Fibre runs to a street cabinet, then old copper phone lines to your home. Speed depends on distance from the node.
Full definition → , FTTCFTTC
Fibre to the Curb
Fibre runs to a pit near your house, then short copper to your home. Better than FTTN due to shorter copper distance.
Full definition → , Fixed Wireless, or Satellite all perform differently - Your distance from infrastructure — FTTN speeds depend on copper distance to the node
- Your POI
POI
Point of Interconnect
Physical location where NBN hands off your traffic to your ISP. Australia has 121 POIs. Your provider's capacity at YOUR POI determines your experience.
Full definition → ’s capacity — Provider might be great in Melbourne but congested in Geelong - Whether you’re even on NBN — iiNet Cable in parts of Geelong is completely different infrastructure
- OptiComm
OptiComm
A private fibre network competitor to NBN in some new housing estates. Uses different providers and plans than NBN — check what's available at your specific address.
Full definition → areas — Mount Duneed, Warralily, and other estates have different providers entirely - Your equipment — Old ISP-provided router? PPPoE
PPPoE
Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet
An older connection method requiring username/password login. Adds a few milliseconds of latency and uses more router resources than the newer IPoE method.
Full definition → instead of IPoEIPoE
IP over Ethernet
The newer, simpler connection method for NBN. No login required — just plug in and go. Slightly faster and more efficient than PPPoE.
Full definition → ? Massive performance difference
A friend's recommendation tells you about their situation on their technology at their location. It might be completely irrelevant to yours. Always check what's actually available at your address first.
Why comparison sites can’t be trusted
Here’s how the “comparison” industry works:
- Comparison sites earn commission when you click through and sign up
- Higher-paying providers get featured more prominently
- Smaller providers who don’t pay for advertising get buried or excluded
- “Editor’s Choice” usually means “highest commission”
The result? You see the same providers recommended everywhere — Telstra, Optus, TPG — while genuinely excellent smaller providers get ignored.
What "Recommended" Actually Means
Telstra, Optus, TPG Group
Featured everywhere. "Editor's Choice." Top of every list.
*Superloop used to be excellent. Recent changes have been... less excellent. More on that below.
The providers worth knowing about
These are ISPs that consistently deliver on speed, have local Australian support, and are recommended by actual users on forums like Whirlpool — not by paid comparison articles.
Launtel
The flexible oneThe Killer Feature: Daily Speed Changes
Launtel charges per day, and you can change your speed tier daily. Need gigabit for a big download? Bump it up for the day. Working away for a week? Pause the service entirely. No other provider offers this flexibility.
This isn't a gimmick — it's genuinely useful. Some people use Launtel as a backup connection, keeping it paused until their primary goes down. Others bump to gigabit for game releases, then drop back down.
Who It's Best For
- People with variable internet needs
- Households that want flexibility over locked-in plans
- Anyone who's been burned by inflexible contracts
- Tech-savvy users who appreciate innovation
Leaptel
The service-focused oneThe Old-School ISP Experience
Remember when ISPs had actual tech support? When you could call and speak to someone who understood networking? Leaptel is built on that philosophy.
Their founder set out with a simple belief: Australians deserve better internet and support that is local, genuine, and human. They're not the cheapest — and that's intentional. They've moved away from the "cheap and cheerful" market to focus on service quality.
Who It's Best For
- People who value support quality over rock-bottom prices
- Anyone who's been frustrated by overseas call centres
- Users who want reliability and consistency
- Those who remember the "good old days" of Internode/Westnet
Aussie Broadband
The transparent oneCVC
Connectivity Virtual Circuit
The bandwidth your ISP buys from NBN at each POI — a shared pool for all their customers at that location. More CVC = less congestion at peak times.
Full definition → graphs — See their capacity in real-timeThe Independently Verified Choice
CHOICE (Australia's independent consumer advocate) has named Aussie Broadband the Best Brand NBN provider for five consecutive years. It's the only brand in their survey to earn "very good" results for both overall customer satisfaction AND satisfaction with NBN speeds.
They also publish real-time CVC graphs for every POI in Australia. You can literally check how congested your local area is before you sign up. No other major provider does this.
Who It's Best For
- People who want to verify capacity before signing up
- Users who value transparency
- Anyone wanting a "safe" choice with good reputation
The gotchas to watch out for
Not everything in the NBN world is straightforward. Here are the traps that catch people out.
Superloop's 30-Day Cancellation Notice
High ImpactThe Problem: Superloop markets itself as "no lock-in" — but buried in their terms is a 30-day cancellation notice requirement. If you want to leave, you need to give 30 days notice or they'll charge you for an extra month.
Why It Matters: This effectively creates a 30-day lock-in contract, despite the "no lock-in" marketing. Users on Whirlpool have called it "completely unacceptable" and "disgusting behavior from a grubby company."
The Reality: Superloop used to be excellent. Their network is still good. But recent policy changes and customer service issues have soured their reputation. The common sentiment: "New Superloop is not the same as old Superloop."
Speed Tier Mix-Ups
Medium ImpactThe Problem: Some providers order the wrong speed tier from NBN, then blame NBN when you complain. You're paying for 250/100 but capped at 100/100? The provider might have ordered the wrong plan.
What To Do: Always test your speeds. If you're not getting what you paid for, push back. If they blame NBN, ask them to verify what AVC Access Virtual Circuit Your individual connection to NBN — the speed tier you're paying for (NBN 50, NBN 100, etc.). This is YOUR slice of the pipe, separate from the shared CVC bandwidth.AVC
Support Wait Times
Medium ImpactThe Problem: Some providers advertise Australian support but have wait times of 2-3 hours. Others outsource to overseas call centres where staff may not understand NBN-specific issues.
What To Do: Before signing up, try calling their support line. See how long you wait. See if you can understand the person. This is a legitimate way to evaluate a provider.
"Up To" vs Typical Evening Speed
Low Impact (Improving)The Background: The ACCC now requires providers to advertise "typical evening speed" — what you'll actually get during peak hours (7-11pm). This is a massive improvement over the old "up to" marketing.
What To Check: Look for the typical evening speed, not the maximum. A plan advertising "NBN 100" might have a typical evening speed of 85 Mbps — that's what you'll actually experience most evenings.
The big providers: An honest assessment
They’re not bad. They’re just… different value propositions.
Telstra
The "safe" choice (now with budget options)The Surprise: Telstra's Internet Only Plans
Here's something comparison sites rarely mention: Telstra now has "Internet Only" plans that strip away premium features (like 4G backup) for a lower price. They're genuinely competitive.
Internet Only NBN 100 starts at $99/month — not much more than budget providers, but with Telstra's network reliability and the ACCC's stamp of approval on speeds. Current promo (code ONLINE50) gives 50% off for 2 months.
Who It's Best For
- People who want reliability without thinking about it
- Those who value "it just works" over flexibility
- Existing Telstra mobile customers (bundling discounts)
- Anyone who's been burned by smaller provider support
The Rest of the Big Players
| Provider | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Optus | ACCC’s fastest (103.7% of plan speeds), bundling options | Customer service lottery, less transparent |
| TPG Group (TPG/iiNet/Internode) | Budget pricing, established networks | iiNet/Internode lost their identity, shared infrastructure |
| Dodo/iPrimus | CHOICE’s #2 for speed (95%), genuinely cheap | Basic support, fewer features |
Optus actually topped the ACCC's December 2025 speed report at 103.7% of plan speeds during busy hours. But speed isn't everything — transparency, support, and flexibility matter too.
How to actually choose
Your ISP Decision Checklist
Switching is easier than you think
If you’re unhappy with your current provider, switching NBN providers is remarkably simple. The new provider handles everything — you just sign up and they do the rest.
No technician visit required. No downtime (usually). No equipment changes (usually). Just sign up with the new provider and they coordinate the switch with NBN. The whole process takes about 5-10 business days.
Want help choosing?
If you’re overwhelmed by options, or you want someone to check what’s actually available and well-provisioned in your specific area, that’s something I can help with.
ISP Recommendation Session
- Check NBN technology and speed potential at your address
- Review CVC capacity for providers in your area
- Consider your actual usage patterns
- Recommend providers suited to your needs
- Help with the switching process if needed
or call 0489 998 445
Related reading
- How to Switch NBN Providers — Step-by-step switching guide
- Does Your NBN Provider Actually Matter? — Technical deep-dive into why ISP choice matters
- What is NBN? — The basics of Australia’s National Broadband Network
Independent verification sources
Don’t take my word for it. Check these independent, non-sponsored sources:
ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia
Government program testing actual speeds. Report 31 (December 2025) is the latest.
Latest ACCC Report →CHOICE Best NBN Provider
Australia's independent consumer advocate. No advertising, no affiliate deals.
CHOICE NBN Reviews →Whirlpool Broadband Forums
Australia's largest tech community. Real users, real experiences, no filter.
Whirlpool Forums →Aussie Broadband CVC Graphs
Real-time capacity data for every POI. See congestion before you sign up.
CVC Graphs →Additional Sources
- ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia - Report 31 (PDF)
- CHOICE Best NBN Plans
- Leaptel 2025 Year in Review
- Telstra Internet Only Plans
- Whirlpool Forums - Superloop
This article represents our honest professional opinion based on research from cited sources including the ACCC, CHOICE, and documented user experiences. We encourage you to verify current pricing and policies directly with providers. See our full content disclaimer for important information about editorial content.
Serving Geelong, Surf Coast, and Bellarine Peninsula.
Why Oh WiFi · 0489 998 445 · hello@whyohwifi.com.au