Cable broadband is the fastest home internet option for residences
not yet connected to the NBN. Unfortunately, many Aussies do not live in cable-supported
areas. Furthermore, just because you have Optus cable internet does not necessarily mean that Telstra cable is in your area. The Optus and Telstra HFC cable networks are separate, distinct entities relying on their own infrastructure.
If you do: luck you! Cable broadband will not cost you more than ADSL2+ and should be your connection of choice
If you’re asking whether you should go for Telstra or Optus cable, make sure you check which, if either, is available in your area before you go any further.
Once you've assessed its availability, the next step in the process is to find the best plan available. Check our Broadband Usage Guide to figure out how much data you need, then consider whether you'd like to bundle a home phone with your broadband, or add Foxtel or other TV services to your bill.
Naked
If you're only after a broadband plan and don't want any telephone or TV services bundled in then you'll need to go naked.
|
Telstra
|
Optus
|
Plan
|
$93
|
$113
|
$133
|
$55
|
$80
|
$100
|
Data
|
50GB
|
200GB
|
500GB
|
30GB
|
200GB
|
Unlimited
|
Max Speed
|
100Mbps
Pay $20 less
for 30Mbps
|
100Mbps
Pay $20 less
for 30Mbps
|
100Mbps
Pay $20 less
for 30Mbps
|
100Mbps
|
100Mbps
|
100Mbps
|
Contract
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
|
Show me the Telstra plans
|
Show me the Optus plans
|
These are the cheapest options from each provider in terms of total dollar spend, but if you do have the option to bundle you can end up saving money by combining your bills.
Broadband + Phone bundles
You can cut down on your monthly bill by bundling your home phone service in with your broadband. Remember: the Telstra prices include the optional $20 boost to bring their speed in line with the Optus offerings. If you think you can get by with just 30Mbps, you can knock $20 off of each Telstra plan.
Currently, Optus Bundle plans include a free 6 month Netflix subscription, although any data you use while watching Netflix will still count towards your monthly limit.
|
Telstra
|
Optus
|
Plan
|
$100
|
$130
|
$150
|
$70
|
$90
|
$90*
|
Data
|
100GB
|
200GB
|
500GB
|
50GB
|
200GB
|
Unlimited
|
Max Speed
|
100Mbps
Pay $20 less
for 30Mbps
|
100Mbps
Pay $20 less
for 30Mbps
|
100Mbps
Pay $20 less
for 30Mbps
|
100Mbps
|
100Mbps
|
100Mbps
|
Local
Calls
|
Included
|
Included
|
Included
|
Included
|
Included
|
Included
|
National
Calls
|
Included
|
Included
|
Included
|
20c/min
45c flagfall
Capped at $2
for first hour
|
Included
|
Included
|
Calls to
Mobiles
|
30c/min
49c flagfall
Capped at $2
for first hour
|
Unlimited
|
Unlimited
|
20c/min
45c flagfall
Capped at $2
for first hour
|
20c/min
45c flagfall
Capped at $2
for first hour
|
Unlimited
|
Contract
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
|
Show me the Telstra plans
|
Show me the Optus plans
|
*This price is part of an ongoing promotion. Standard amount is $115 per month. Offer ends May 31, 2015.
Interestingly, the lowest-tier Optus plan jumps from 30GB to 50GB and Telstra's bottom plan goes from 50GB to 100GB. These are the only notable differences between these options and the Naked ones listed above, apart from there obviously being a fixed-line phone plan tied in with your service.
Entertainment bundles
These are a little different. Entertainment bundles include broadband, a home phone and a TV service subscription. If you already subscribe to all of these three things separately, you can save money by joining them together.
Complications arise when comparing them directly. Telstra's Entertainer Supreme bundles offer Telstra broadband + a Foxtel subscription. You can opt for the
Entertainment, Entertainment + Sport or Platinum packages from Foxtel. To keep things simple, we've only included the basic Entertainment prices below.
Not being a majority-owner of Foxtel, Optus is limited to offering its broadband plans combined with a Fetch TV subscription. Optus is also offering its 6 month complimentary Netflix subscription with these packages. Once again any data used while streaming Netflix still counts towards your monthly limit.
For a more in-depth comparison of Foxtel and Fetch, check out our
Foxtel vs Fetch TV guide.
|
Telstra
|
Optus
|
Plan
|
$120
|
$150
|
$170
|
$75
|
$90
|
$90**
|
Data
|
100GB
|
200GB
|
500GB
|
50GB
|
200GB
|
Unlimited
|
Max Speed
|
100Mbps
Pay $20 less
for 30Mbps
|
100Mbps
Pay $20 less
for 30Mbps
|
100Mbps
Pay $20 less
for 30Mbps
|
100Mbps
|
100Mbps
|
100Mbps
|
Local
Calls
|
Included
|
Included
|
Included
|
30c/min
|
30c/min
|
Included
|
National
Calls
|
Included
|
Included
|
Included
|
20c/min
45c flagfall
Capped at $2
for first hour
|
20c/min
45c flagfall
Capped at $2
for first hour
|
Included
|
Calls to
Mobiles
|
30c/min
49c flagfall
Capped at $2
for first hour
|
Unlimited
|
Unlimited
|
20c/min
45c flagfall
Capped at $2
for first hour
|
20c/min
45c flagfall
Capped at $2
for first hour
|
20c/min
45c flagfall
Capped at $2
for first hour
|
Contract
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
24
Months
|
TV
Service
|
Foxtel
|
Foxtel
|
Foxtel
|
Fetch TV
|
Fetch TV
|
Fetch TV
|
Hardware
|
Foxtel iQ3
Set top box
|
Foxtel iQ3
Set top box
|
Foxtel iQ3
Set top box
|
Fetch TV
box
|
Fetch TV
box
|
Fetch TV
box
|
|
Show me the Telstra plans
|
Show me the Optus plans
|
**This price is part of an ongoing promotion. Standard amount is $115 per month. Offer ends May 31, 2015.
Telstra is by far the most expensive here if you want a 100Mbps connection. However, Foxtel is a much more popular service than Fetch TV, so your decision may come down to what payTV subscription you want, rather than price or other plan inclusions. Telstra also has the advantage in phone service inclusions with included local & national calls on all plans, and unlimited calls to mobiles on its top-tier plan.
Cable internet image from Shutterstock