Internet and NBN

From Instagram, TikTok to Facebook and just about anything to do with work, staying connected is a top priority for most Australians. Most of us are guilty of the ‘set and forget’ mentality. This constant demand for data and connectivity leads many of us to fall into the ‘set and forget’ mentality with our phone or internet plans. We sign up for a plan, and then it simply becomes another monthly bill.

That’s why it pays to regularly review your provider and see if you could switch to something faster or cheaper. Many comparison websites are available to help you weigh up the options, offering side-by-side breakdowns of prices, speeds and bundled extras.

Don’t be afraid to negotiate with your current provider either – they’ll often have retention deals that aren’t advertised to the general public. Taking a few minutes to check could make a big difference to your monthly bills.

Free* NBN Upgrades

Fibre to the node (FTTN) is outdated technology. Australia’s internet speeds have long been criticised, with some reports suggesting they lag behind those of some developing nations. The government has faced significant criticism for the rollout of the National Broadband Network (NBN) framework, which was seen as slow and inadequate.

Finally, NBN providers are now offering Fibre to the premises (FTTP), bringing a direct fibre optic cable to the home for much faster speeds. However, before you sign up, it’s crucial to do your research. The great deal you see in an email from your provider might not be as good as it seems. Use a comparison website to check for better offers.

Canstarblue give these key points:

When choosing an NBN Internet plan, the biggest cause of confusion can often be which speed tier is best for you. For households with high internet usage needs, signing up to a fast speed tier is often the best option, which is where NBN 100 can be a good choice.

While there are faster speeds available, NBN 100 — also known as the Home Fast speed tier — can offer great speeds but at a more affordable price than the two fastest speed tiers.

* Be aware that even though the connection may be free, there may be additional costs for router upgrades and other improvements.

Switch and Save

Comparison websites are a great tool for finding a better deal. But be careful—the cheapest option isn’t always the best. Remember that at some point, you’ll probably need to call customer support, and some companies use offshore support centres. Having an Australian-based support team can be a lifesaver when you have an issue. Before you sign on the dotted line, always check reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and other platforms to see what real customers have to say about the company’s service.

Mobile Plans

Many of us are guilty of the “set and forget” mentality when it comes to our mobile phone plans. We sign up for a plan, and then it simply becomes another monthly bill. But this oversight could be costing you hundreds of dollars a year. By asking a few simple questions, you can tailor your plan to your actual usage and save a significant amount of money.

Review Your Plan and Usage. Think about how you actually use your phone. Do you really need to be able to call any number in the world, or do you primarily contact people in Australia? Is a massive 30GB data package truly necessary, or do you spend most of your time on Wi-Fi at home or work? Most people use far less data than they pay for. If you’re consistently using less than half of your monthly data allowance, you’re essentially paying for something you don’t need.

Rethink Your Device. Another major cost is the device itself. Is having the latest Samsung or iPhone as part of your monthly subscription really worth it? These contracts often lock you into a higher monthly fee for two to three years. Instead, consider keeping your existing phone or buying one outright and opting for a SIM-only plan. This gives you the flexibility to switch providers at any time to take advantage of better deals.

Once your current phone contract is up, consider switching to a BYO (Bring Your Own) plan. This means you keep your existing phone and sign up for a SIM-only deal. This is where you can find significant savings. For example, some providers offer incredible value for a full year. Kogan currently has a plan with 200GB of data for 365 days at just $149, while Vodafone offers 300GB over the same period for $199. By doing a little research and comparing these long-term SIM-only options, you could save hundreds of dollars a year.