As we all know, the National Broadband Network (NBN) is being rolled out in Australia. Aussies that now have access to NBN are feeling privileged while those who can’t yet connect to the NBN are eagerly waiting for the broadband to become available in their areas.

Those who can access the NBN are trying to find a good broadband plan. Since there are a large number of NBN plans from different internet service providers (ISPs), finding the right connection can be confusing.

The good news is, there are online sites that can help you investigate the different packages. And to make it as easy possible, we’ve created a list of things you should look out for.

Know Your Needs

Before you can choose the right NBN plan, you need to know your internet consumption and data requirements. Data requirements vary depending on the type of user you are. For instance, if you’re a ‘web surfer’ – you use the internet for accessing emails, making voice calls, surfing the web and occasionally use social media – you might only consume about 150 MB to 300 MB per hour. On the other hand, if you’re a ‘social networker’ – a heavy user of social media including downloading and posting images and videos – then you might consume 3.5 GB per hour.

Speed

You also need to consider the speed you want. Take a look at the list below, detailing the NBN speed options that are currently on offer:

• Basic (NBN 12) with 12 Mbps download speed and 1 Mbps upload speed
• Standard (NBN 25) with 25 Mbps download speed and 5 Mbps upload speed
• Standard Plus (NBN 50) with 50 Mbps download speed and 20 Mbps upload speed
• Premium (NBN 100) with 100-Mbps download speed and 40 Mbps upload speed.

As a rough guide, the basic plan might be enough for you, if you’re a web surfer, while standard or standard plus connection may suit you more if there are multiple social networkers in your home. If you play video games, stream online videos and use social media extensively, you will need the Premium (NBN 100) connection.

The speed of your NBN connection can depend on several factors including the number of users, location and type of services you have access to and how the provider configures them.

Pricing

NBN broadband plans have different cost elements like upfront cost, minimum contract period and monthly fees. The best way to compare different NBN plans is by using iSelect. There you can compare the pricing of different plans and choose the best NBN provider who offers a compelling package with competitive pricing.

Customer Satisfaction

One of the most important things to consider when choosing an NBN provider in Australia is their customer satisfaction rating. If customer satisfaction rating is poor, it likely means that the NBN provider isn’t reliable. So before subscribing to an NBN plan from a provider, make sure you take a look at what other customers have to say about them.

If you follow our advice, you’ll be able to find the right NBN provider for your needs and enjoy access to a high-speed internet connection.