There’s more to think about than just price when next reviewing which internet plan best suits your needs. There are three key considerations you won’t want to miss.
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Our lifeline to the world wide web is usually selected, installed and revisited when we move homes.
But internet providers update their plans at least annually and sometimes more often, so it’s worth trying to do the same to ensure you’re finding the right fit for your needs.
If you’re thinking now is a good time to review your internet plan, here’s a few simple steps to help you save money.
You’ll want to consider more than just price, but speed, data limits and value for money as well.
1. Review your internet speed
Most internet plans are sold with tiers of download and upload speeds. While it is simple enough to choose the fastest option, if you’re not a heavy user then you are likely paying more than necessary.
Selecting the basic speed tiers such as 25Mbps will easily suit a single user in the home doing almost anything online, including video calling and streaming services.
When you begin adding a second user in the home who might be doing the same thing at the same time, you might then need to consider a 50Mbps plan.
The top tier 100Mbps plan is then for a larger household with mixed activities online.
For those who share content such as video files and large amounts of video calling, you will need to also consider your upload speed. This is to ensure you are able to receive and send data at an acceptable speed.
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2. Consider, do I actually need unlimited data?
The most advertised internet plans are often those with unlimited data. This is your set and forget option that allows you to stream, download and browse online without a second thought. But do you actually need it?
Plans like this are normally an extra $10 – $20 more than the tier below it with a set data allowance, sometimes marked at 500GB.
For most family households, monthly usage in Australia is less than 300GB per month, even during the pandemic when many of us worked and did schooling from home.
Since all households are different though, you can get an idea of your data usage by logging into your internet provider account and seeing data usage over previous months.
It’s usually best to average out your previous six months and add 10% for growth. If this is falling within range of a data allowance in other internet plans, it could be time to consider changing plans.
It is also important to note that an internet provider will always welcome you back to unlimited and paying more, if you need to upgrade down the track.
3. Shop around and compare plans
Prior to the NBN being rolled out across Australia, we were largely relying on three major brands for our internet connection. This has completely changed with the NBN and we are now spoiled for choice when it comes to companies wanting our business.
All of these internet providers have access to the same infrastructure and it acts as a level playing field. This means that once you have decided what speed and data allowance you require, you’re able to compare and assess for the best price.
Brand loyalty is hardly rewarded in recent times, so don’t feel bad about changing to a new internet provider.
It can, however, be wise to contact your current internet provider, advise them of a competitor deal you are considering and ask if they will match or beat it. This is their chance to keep you as a customer before you break up.
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You might also be wondering:
Is switching internet providers difficult?
When it comes to the NBN, you can be using a new provider within minutes. The configuration changes are minimal and typically do not require anyone to visit your premises or install new equipment.
If you are leasing hardware from your existing internet provider you could consider sending it back or paying it out to continue using it with your new provider.
Are bundle internet plans worth it?
If you are already paying for a streaming service, for example, and a provider is willing to include it for free in a new plan, then this could provide you with savings.
Many internet providers are looking to add cherries such as this on top of their deals to further entice you.
Be cautious when bundles are presented and offer a bonus that you will not use or ordinarily opt to pay for, as there could be a better deal available without the bundle.
What is unmetered content?
Some internet providers will not count certain types of content towards your data allowance. This means you might be able to stream a video or music service without it ever impacting your monthly downloads.
This can be incredibly valuable, provided you are using the services they are leaving unmetered.
RELATED: Best NBN Plans – ACCC reveals fastest internet provider
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