Optus Speed Test - Check NBN and 5G Internet Speed

Optus is Australia's second-largest telecommunications company, serving 1.9 million fixed broadband customers. A subsidiary of Singapore's Singtel, Optus offers NBN plans up to 1 Gbps and competitive 5G Home Internet. Test your Optus connection to measure actual download, upload, and latency performance.

About Optus

Optus, founded in 1981 as AUSSAT and acquired by Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) in 2001, is Australia's second-largest telecommunications provider. Headquartered in Macquarie Park, Sydney, Optus serves approximately 1.9 million fixed broadband customers and 10.5 million mobile subscribers.

Optus is a major NBN Retail Service Provider and has heavily invested in 5G infrastructure as an NBN alternative. The company includes Optus Sport streaming with many internet plans, adding value for sports fans.

Optus Plans and Services

Optus offers several internet plans across different technologies and price points.

Optus NBN plans range from $79 to $139 per month. Internet Everyday offers 50 Mbps at $79, Internet Entertainer delivers 100 Mbps at $99, Internet Family provides 250 Mbps at $109, and Internet Ultimate reaches 1 Gbps at $139 where FTTP is available. Most plans include Optus Sport streaming.

5G Home Internet starts at $79/month with typical speeds of 100-300 Mbps where 5G coverage is available. Bundle discounts available with Optus mobile plans.

Optus Internet Plans

Plan	Speed	Price	Features
Internet Everyday fiber	50 Mbps	$79/month	50/20 Mbps typical evening speed WiFi 6 modem included Unlimited data
Internet Entertainer fiber	100 Mbps	$99/month	100/20 Mbps typical evening speed Optus Sport included Unlimited data
Internet Family fiber	250 Mbps	$109/month	250/25 Mbps typical evening speed FTTP/HFC required Optus Sport included
Internet Ultimate fiber	1000 Mbps	$139/month	Up to 1000/50 Mbps FTTP required Optus Sport included
5G Home Internet fixed-wireless	Up to 300 Mbps	$79/month	Typical 100-300 Mbps No installation required Unlimited data

Prices and availability may vary by location. Contact Optus for current offers.

Optus Coverage by Region

Optus performance varies by location. Coverage density, local infrastructure, and network congestion affect speeds in each market.

Major Cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide)

Coverage: Comprehensive NBN coverage across all metropolitan areas as second-largest RSP; Optus serves approximately 20-25% of NBN households nationally with strong presence in capital cities Typical: ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia reports show Optus delivering 95-100% of advertised speeds during peak evening hours. NBN 50 plans deliver 47-50 Mbps, NBN 100 achieves 95-100 Mbps, NBN 250 reaches 240-250 Mbps on FTTP/HFC. Performance slightly behind Telstra but meets advertised speeds. Peak congestion: Low to moderate congestion—Optus generally provisions adequate CVC capacity but occasional congestion reported in select POI areas during peak hours. Most customers experience consistent speeds; localized issues exist in specific suburbs.

Major cities represent Optus's core market where NBN and 5G Home Internet both available. Sydney (Optus headquarters in Macquarie Park) has strongest network investment and support presence. Melbourne and Brisbane well-covered with mature NBN infrastructure. Perth and Adelaide receive adequate investment but less 5G Home Internet availability than Eastern capitals. Optus Sport streaming included on NBN 100+ plans provides significant value for Premier League football fans (exclusive Australian broadcast rights). Bundle discounts with Optus mobile plans save $10-20/month, attractive for Optus mobile customers (10.5M subscribers nationally). WiFi 6 modem included free on 24-month contract or bring-your-own device option for month-to-month flexibility. 5G Home Internet available in 700+ suburbs nationally, concentrated in capital city cores and inner suburbs—alternative to NBN for renters, FTTN customers with poor copper, or users wanting no-installation solution.

Regional Cities and Towns (Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong, Hobart)

Coverage: Good NBN coverage in major regional centers; 5G Home Internet availability more limited than Telstra, concentrated in larger regional cities Typical: NBN performance similar to major cities where FTTP/HFC available. FTTN speeds variable based on copper quality, typically 50-80 Mbps on NBN 100 plans. 5G Home Internet delivers 100-250 Mbps in regional centers with 5G coverage. Peak congestion: Generally low congestion in regional areas due to lower population density reducing network load

Regional areas represent smaller market segment for Optus compared to Telstra's stronger regional footprint. Gold Coast and Newcastle have good NBN coverage and some 5G Home Internet availability. Smaller regional towns (populations under 20,000) rely primarily on NBN with limited 5G. Hobart (Tasmania) has NBN coverage but minimal 5G Home Internet due to island geography and lower population density. Optus Sport streaming particularly popular in regional areas where pub/club culture embraces Premier League football. Regional customer support routes through national call centers (often offshore)—no regional retail stores like Telstra maintains. 5G mobile coverage in regional areas (Optus mobile network) covers 98.5% of population but less geographic area than Telstra, affecting rural 5G Home Internet viability.

Rural and Remote Australia

Coverage: NBN Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster Satellite coverage identical to all RSPs; minimal 5G Home Internet availability in rural areas Typical: NBN Fixed Wireless typical speeds 40-60 Mbps evenings, Sky Muster 25-50 Mbps with 600ms+ latency. 5G Home Internet unavailable in most rural areas due to limited 5G mobile tower coverage. Peak congestion: Fixed Wireless experiences evening congestion similar to other RSPs (shared NBN Co infrastructure). Satellite latency always high regardless of time.

Rural Australia represents minimal market share for Optus—company focuses on urban/suburban markets. NBN Fixed Wireless and Satellite perform identically across all RSPs since NBN Co operates wholesale network. Optus pricing in rural areas matches metro pricing (national uniform pricing), meaning rural customers on slower Fixed Wireless/Satellite pay same as metro FTTP customers—poor value proposition. Optus lacks rural retail presence (no regional stores), making customer support challenging for less tech-savvy rural users. Telstra dominates rural market due to legacy infrastructure, brand trust, and retail presence. Rural customers considering Optus mainly motivated by Optus Sport streaming (Premier League) if football fans. Starlink satellite increasingly attractive rural alternative—100-200 Mbps with lower latency than Sky Muster, though at $139/month premium pricing.

5G Home Internet Availability (urban and inner-suburban areas)

Coverage: Available in 700+ suburbs across capital cities and select regional centers; 70% population coverage vs. Telstra's 85%. Concentrated in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane inner areas. Typical: Typical speeds 100-300 Mbps with peaks up to 400 Mbps in ideal conditions. Lower latency than FTTN NBN (10-25ms vs. 20-40ms). Speed varies based on tower load and 5G signal strength (need 5G, not 4G signal). Peak congestion: Moderate to significant evening congestion in densely populated areas (6-10pm peak hours). 5G Home Internet deprioritized below mobile users during network load, causing speed drops from 300 Mbps to 100 Mbps or lower.

Optus 5G Home Internet launched 2020 as NBN alternative, targeting FTTN customers and renters. Competitively priced at $79/month matching NBN 50 but delivering faster speeds (100-300 Mbps vs. 50 Mbps). No installation required—modem plugs in, connects to Optus 5G mobile network. Attractive for renters avoiding landlord permission issues or installation wait times. FTTN customers with poor copper (sync speeds below 50 Mbps) benefit from switching to 5G. Unlimited data but deprioritization during congestion (mobile users prioritized). 5G coverage smaller than Telstra (70% vs. 85% population), limiting availability. Check optus.com.au/5G for address eligibility before ordering. Modem (Optus 5G Home WiFi modem) supports WiFi 6, external antenna options for improved reception. Performance highly dependent on proximity to 5G tower and signal strength—users far from towers or in signal-blocked buildings (metal roofs, basements) experience degraded speeds. Not recommended for FTTP/good HFC users—stick with NBN for maximum speeds. Best for FTTN users, renters, and urban households prioritizing speed over absolute consistency.

FTTP vs. FTTN Technology Disparity (nationwide, affects all RSPs)

Coverage: Technology mix identical to Telstra and all RSPs: 20% FTTP, 25% HFC, 45% FTTN, 10% Fixed Wireless/Satellite. Technology type determines speed tier availability. Typical: FTTP delivers full advertised speeds at all tiers. FTTN variable: 300m from node achieves near-advertised speeds, 500-800m degrades, 800m+ often caps at 50 Mbps. HFC delivers advertised speeds on most tiers. Peak congestion: FTTP minimal congestion. FTTN congestion depends on node load and copper quality. HFC generally performs well with occasional congestion in older cable segments.

Optus (like all RSPs) charges uniform pricing regardless of NBN technology type, creating frustration for FTTN customers paying NBN 100 pricing ($99/month) but receiving 50-70 Mbps due to copper limitations. NBN Co's MTM model means technology type determined by address, not customer choice. Before ordering high-speed tiers (NBN 250, NBN 1000), verify FTTP or HFC availability at nbnco.com.au—FTTN addresses cannot access these tiers. Optus customers on poor FTTN should consider Optus 5G Home Internet if available (likely faster than degraded FTTN copper). Asymmetric upload speeds (20-25 Mbps on lower tiers, 50 Mbps on Gigabit) are NBN Co limitation affecting all RSPs—Optus cannot offer symmetrical speeds on residential NBN. Work-from-home users needing higher uploads have limited options: business fiber (expensive), or accept NBN limitations. FTTN-to-FTTP upgrades progressing slowly via NBN Co's Upgrade Program—eligible customers can check nbnco.com.au for upgrade availability (costs $300-600 for on-demand upgrade).

Is Optus Right for You?

Every provider has trade-offs. Here is how Optus performs based on real-world usage and customer feedback.

Strengths

Optus Sport included on most plans (NBN 100+)—exclusive Australian broadcaster of English Premier League football (soccer). Optus Sport streaming costs $24.99/month standalone, making inclusion on $99+ NBN plans significant value for football fans. Also includes UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and select international leagues.
Competitive pricing $5-10 cheaper than Telstra—Optus NBN 50 costs $79/month vs. Telstra $90; Optus NBN 100 $99 vs. Telstra $110. Annual savings $120-180 choosing Optus over Telstra. Premium service at near-budget pricing.
5G Home Internet no-installation simplicity—plug-in modem connects to 5G network within minutes. No NBN technician appointment, no drilling walls, no waiting weeks for activation. Ideal for renters, new movers, or anyone wanting immediate internet.
WiFi 6 modem included free—Optus provides modern WiFi 6 (802.11ax) router supporting faster wireless speeds and better multi-device performance. No upfront modem purchase cost on 24-month contract, or bring-your-own device for month-to-month flexibility.
Bundle discounts with Optus mobile—customers combining NBN with Optus mobile plans save $10-20/month. Unified billing simplifies household management. Optus mobile network (Australia's second-largest) covers 98.5% population.
Good ACCC speed performance—Measuring Broadband Australia reports show Optus achieving 95-100% of advertised speeds during peak evening hours. Meets consumer expectations and competes with Telstra on performance metrics.
Unlimited data on all NBN plans—no caps, throttling, or overage fees. Heavy streaming, gaming, cloud backup users don't face restrictions. Consistent with Australian NBN market standard.
Nationwide presence as major telco—Optus operates nationally with established infrastructure, customer service, and retail presence (though smaller than Telstra). More stable than budget RSP startups.
Month-to-month NBN flexibility option—customers can bring own modem and avoid 24-month contract, allowing no-commitment month-to-month service. Flexibility to switch RSPs if better offer emerges.
5G Home Internet Gigabit speeds in ideal conditions—while typical speeds 100-300 Mbps, users close to 5G towers with strong signal can achieve 400-600 Mbps peaks, exceeding NBN 100 and approaching NBN 250 performance without fixed-line installation.

Weaknesses

Smaller 5G coverage than Telstra—Optus 5G covers 70% population vs. Telstra 85%, limiting 5G Home Internet availability. Outer suburban and regional areas often lack Optus 5G coverage, restricting NBN alternative. Check coverage before assuming 5G Home Internet available.
Customer service with offshore call centers—Optus uses primarily offshore support (Philippines, India) with longer hold times (30-60 minutes peak periods) and communication challenges. Less responsive than Telstra's Australian-based support or Aussie Broadband's local teams.
Asymmetric upload speeds on NBN—like all RSPs, Optus limited by NBN Co's asymmetric technology. NBN 250 delivers 250/25 Mbps (10:1 ratio), NBN 1000 delivers 1000/50 Mbps (20:1 ratio). Insufficient for content creators, cloud backup, work-from-home with heavy uploads.
Occasional CVC congestion in select POI areas—ACCC reports and customer complaints indicate Optus sometimes under-provisions CVC capacity in specific POI regions, causing evening slowdowns. Not widespread but localized issues exist, particularly in fast-growing outer suburbs.
24-month modem contract on included hardware—free modem comes with 24-month commitment and early termination fees ($200-400) if canceling early. Month-to-month requires bringing own modem ($100-200 upfront cost).
5G Home Internet deprioritization during congestion—Optus deprioritizes 5G Home Internet below mobile users during network load. Evening speeds can drop 30-60% in densely populated areas. Shared wireless capacity less reliable than dedicated NBN fixed line.
Optus Sport not valuable for non-football fans—customers uninterested in Premier League/Champions League soccer don't benefit from included Optus Sport. Adds perceived value but useless if not consumed. Consider budget RSPs if sports streaming irrelevant.
Limited rural presence and support—Optus focuses on metro markets with minimal rural retail stores or localized support. Regional and rural customers better served by Telstra's established rural footprint.
Modem doesn't include 4G backup failover—unlike Telstra Smart Modem's 4G backup feature, Optus modem lacks automatic failover during NBN outages. Internet unavailable during NBN downtime unless manual mobile hotspot used.
Price increases after promotional periods—Optus advertises intro pricing (often $10-15/month discount for first 6-12 months) that expires, increasing to standard rates. Users must monitor bills and renegotiate or switch to avoid price hikes.

Best For

English Premier League football fans—Optus Sport's exclusive EPL broadcast rights make Optus NBN compelling for soccer enthusiasts. Standalone Optus Sport costs $24.99/month; inclusion on NBN 100+ plans ($99/month) delivers significant value. UEFA Champions League and Europa League also covered.
Budget-conscious users seeking premium RSP—Optus prices $5-10/month cheaper than Telstra while maintaining 95-100% ACCC speed delivery. Balances cost savings with reliability, avoiding ultra-budget RSPs with questionable performance.
Renters and frequent movers needing no-installation 5G Home Internet—5G Home Internet's plug-and-play setup ideal for renters avoiding landlord approvals, students in short-term housing, or anyone prioritizing immediate activation over maximum speeds.
Optus mobile customers maximizing bundle discounts—combining Optus NBN with Optus mobile plans saves $10-20/month. Single billing simplifies household management. Optus mobile network (10.5M subscribers) second-largest in Australia.
FTTN customers with poor copper seeking better speeds—if FTTN NBN delivers only 30-50 Mbps due to copper distance from node, Optus 5G Home Internet (100-300 Mbps typical) offers substantial upgrade without waiting for FTTN-to-FTTP infrastructure upgrade.
Metro households in strong 5G coverage areas—inner-city Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane residents with excellent 5G signal strength benefit from 5G Home Internet's speed and simplicity. Outer suburbs and regional areas have weaker 5G, making NBN preferable.
Customers wanting WiFi 6 modem without upfront cost—Optus includes modern WiFi 6 router free on contract. Avoids $100-200 modem purchase. Tech-savvy users can still bring own device for month-to-month flexibility.
Households with moderate internet usage (streaming, browsing, video calls)—NBN 50 or NBN 100 sufficient for 2-4 person households with typical usage. Optus competitive pricing ($79-99/month) and good ACCC performance meet needs without overpaying for premium support.

Not Ideal For

Rural Australians outside major towns—Optus minimal rural presence, smaller 5G coverage, and lack of regional retail stores make Optus less attractive for country users. Telstra dominates rural market with better coverage and support.
Users needing best-in-class customer support—Optus offshore call centers with 30-60 minute hold times frustrate users needing frequent support. Telstra (Australian support) or Aussie Broadband (excellent customer service reputation) better for support-dependent users.
FTTP customers prioritizing maximum speeds and reliability—FTTP households should stick with NBN for dedicated fixed-line capacity. 5G Home Internet's wireless congestion and deprioritization inferior to FTTP's consistent performance. Use 5G only if FTTN/poor copper.
Content creators and work-from-home users needing high upload speeds—NBN's 20-50 Mbps uploads insufficient for uploading large video files, cloud backup, or real-time video streaming. Optus cannot overcome NBN Co's asymmetric technology. Business fiber or alternative providers required.
Customers in Optus CVC congestion zones—if address falls within POI area with under-provisioned CVC capacity, evening speeds drop below advertised. Switching to Aussie Broadband or other RSP with higher CVC allocation resolves issue. Check ACCC reports or local forums for area-specific congestion.
Budget shoppers seeking absolute lowest price—ultra-budget RSPs (TPG $69.99 NBN 50, Mate, Exetel) undercut Optus by $10-15/month. Tech-savvy users comfortable with basic support can save $120-180 annually choosing budget over Optus.
Users uninterested in Optus Sport streaming—if Premier League and Champions League irrelevant, Optus's primary differentiator provides no value. Budget RSPs or Aussie Broadband offer similar NBN performance without sports streaming bloat.

How Optus Compares

Side-by-side comparison of Optus against major competitors in Australia.

Competitor	Speed	Price	Coverage	Verdict
Telstra	Both achieve high ACCC performance—Telstra 98-100% of advertised speeds, Optus 95-100%. Real-world difference negligible (1-2 Mbps). Both meet consumer expectations. FTTP Gigabit plans: Telstra averages 990 Mbps, Optus 970 Mbps—minimal difference. 5G Home Internet: Telstra typically 50-300 Mbps, Optus 100-300 Mbps—similar ranges with variation by location.	Optus $5-10/month cheaper at each tier: Optus NBN 50 $79 vs. Telstra $90, Optus NBN 100 $99 vs. Telstra $110, Optus NBN 250 $109 vs. Telstra $140, Optus Gigabit $139 vs. Telstra $180. Annual savings $60-500 choosing Optus. Bundle discounts similar on both providers ($10-20/month with mobile).	NBN coverage identical (both resell NBN Co network). 5G Home Internet differentiation: Telstra 5G covers 85% population vs. Optus 70%, making Telstra 5G more widely available in outer suburbs and regional areas. Optus 5G concentrated in inner-city and capital city cores.	Choose Optus if seeking premium RSP with cost savings and you're a Premier League fan (Optus Sport value). Choose Telstra if you prioritize best-in-class customer support (Australian call centers), 4G backup modem failover, or need 5G Home Internet in outer suburban/regional areas. If neither mobile customer, Optus saves $60-180/year with similar performance. If Telstra mobile customer, Telstra bundles make sense; if Optus mobile customer, Optus bundles better. For rural areas, Telstra superior coverage and support.
Aussie Broadband	Both top ACCC performers—Optus 95-100% advertised speeds, Aussie Broadband 98-100%. Real-world performance effectively identical. Aussie heavily markets high CVC capacity and network transparency, but end-user speeds comparable to Optus.	Aussie Broadband positioned between Optus and budget RSPs: Aussie NBN 50 $79 vs. Optus $79 (identical), Aussie NBN 100 $99 vs. Optus $99 (identical), Aussie NBN 250 $119 vs. Optus $109 (Optus $10/month cheaper). At lower tiers pricing matches; Optus cheaper at high tiers.	NBN coverage identical. Aussie Broadband NBN-focused (no 5G Home Internet alternative). Optus offers 5G Home Internet in 700+ locations—flexibility advantage for FTTN users or renters.	Choose Aussie Broadband if customer support priority—Aussie's Australian-based call centers, live chat, and active community forums provide superior support experience vs. Optus offshore centers. Aussie transparent about network performance (publishes CVC graphs, uptime stats). Choose Optus if Premier League fan valuing Optus Sport inclusion ($24.99/month standalone value), Optus mobile customer for bundle savings, or need 5G Home Internet flexibility. For users uninterested in sports streaming and prioritizing support quality, Aussie Broadband better overall value despite similar pricing.
TPG	ACCC reports: Optus 95-100% advertised speeds, TPG 92-98%. TPG occasionally underperforms during peak hours in some POI areas, though difference modest (3-5 Mbps). Both meet baseline standards; Optus slightly more consistent.	TPG significantly cheaper: TPG NBN 50 $69.99 vs. Optus $79 (13% cheaper), TPG NBN 100 $84.99 vs. Optus $99 (14% cheaper). Annual savings $120-180 choosing TPG. TPG bundles with TPG mobile also available but Optus mobile network larger/better.	NBN coverage identical. TPG doesn't offer 5G Home Internet—NBN-only focus. Optus 5G option provides flexibility.	Choose TPG if budget-conscious and don't care about Optus Sport streaming. TPG's basic offshore support and budget positioning suit tech-savvy users comfortable self-troubleshooting. Choose Optus if Premier League fan (Optus Sport value exceeds price difference), want WiFi 6 modem included free, or need 5G Home Internet alternative for FTTN address. TPG's iiNet brand offers middle-ground—slightly more expensive than base TPG with better support, though still cheaper than Optus.

Troubleshooting Optus Issues

Common Optus connection problems and how to fix them.

Optus Sport streaming buffering or low quality during Premier League matches, even though general internet speeds seem fine

Cause: Insufficient bandwidth for 4K/HD streaming (Optus Sport requires 5-10 Mbps per stream), WiFi congestion during peak viewing times (evening matches), or background device activity consuming bandwidth. 4K streaming requires 25 Mbps dedicated.

Check available bandwidth vs. household usage—NBN 25 plan insufficient for Optus Sport HD streaming with other household activity. NBN 50 supports single HD stream plus light browsing. NBN 100 handles multiple simultaneous streams. Upgrade plan if current tier inadequate.
Lower Optus Sport streaming quality—in Optus Sport app/website settings, reduce stream quality from 4K/HD to Standard Definition. SD uses 2-3 Mbps vs. 10 Mbps HD or 25 Mbps 4K. Quality reduction prevents buffering on lower-tier NBN plans.
Use wired ethernet for streaming device—connect smart TV, streaming box, or laptop directly to Optus modem via ethernet cable. Wired connection eliminates WiFi congestion and interference, ensuring stable Optus Sport stream.
Pause background downloads/updates during matches—gaming consoles, computers, cloud backup services consuming bandwidth cause Optus Sport buffering. Pause Windows Update, Steam downloads, cloud sync (Google Drive, Dropbox) during live matches.
Test speed during match time—if buffering occurs during specific match times (evening kickoffs), run speed test at speedtest.net or fast.com during that period. If speeds drop significantly below advertised tier, CVC congestion or network issue exists—contact Optus support.
Cast to TV via ethernet-connected device—if casting Optus Sport from phone/tablet to TV causing buffering, use laptop or desktop connected via ethernet as casting source. Mobile device WiFi may be congested; wired device more stable.

Optus 5G Home Internet delivering slow speeds (20-50 Mbps) instead of expected 100-300 Mbps typical range

Cause: Weak 5G signal strength (distance from tower, building obstruction), modem positioned poorly (internal room, away from windows), tower congestion during peak hours, or modem connecting to 4G instead of 5G network.

Check signal strength in modem interface—access Optus 5G Home WiFi modem admin panel (usually optus.modem or 192.168.0.1 in browser). Navigate to status/signal section. Look for 5G connection (not 4G) and signal bars. Need 3-5 bars for good performance. 1-2 bars indicate weak signal requiring modem repositioning.
Reposition modem near window facing tower—5G signal attenuates through walls, metal roofs, and building materials. Place modem on windowsill or near external wall facing nearest Optus 5G tower. Use Optus coverage map or tower locator apps (OpenSignal, CellMapper) to identify tower direction.
Elevate modem to upper floor—if house has multiple levels, place 5G modem on upper floor for better signal reception over obstacles (trees, buildings). Avoid basements and ground-floor interior rooms.
Use external antenna if available—some Optus 5G modems support external antenna connections. External antenna mounted near window or outside improves signal strength significantly (10-30 dB gain). Check modem model specifications for antenna port compatibility.
Test speeds at different times of day—if speeds fast during daytime (200+ Mbps) but slow evenings (50 Mbps), tower congestion and deprioritization occurring. 5G Home Internet deprioritized below mobile users during load. Peak-hour slowdowns normal; consider NBN if consistency critical.
Contact Optus to verify 5G coverage—if consistently receiving only 4G connection, address may be outside 5G coverage despite initial availability check. Optus can verify tower coverage and recommend alternative (NBN). 5G coverage maps sometimes optimistic about actual indoor penetration.

NBN speeds significantly slower during evening hours (7-11pm) compared to daytime, dropping from advertised tier to 30-50% of expected speeds

Cause: CVC (Connectivity Virtual Circuit) congestion—Optus under-provisioned capacity from NBN Co for specific POI (Point of Interconnect) area, causing peak-hour bottleneck. Or FTTN copper line degradation under load.

Test wired vs. WiFi speeds during evening—connect computer directly to Optus modem via ethernet and test speed at speedtest.net during 8-9pm peak period. If wired speeds drop below advertised tier (e.g., NBN 100 plan getting 40 Mbps), network issue exists. If WiFi slow but wired full speed, WiFi interference problem (see WiFi troubleshooting in other sources).
Contact Optus support to report CVC congestion—describe persistent evening slowdowns with speed test results (time, date, wired connection, well below advertised). Optus can check CVC utilization for your POI area and escalate capacity increase if congestion confirmed. Include multiple test results over several days.
Check FTTN line quality if on FTTN technology—verify NBN technology type at nbnco.com.au with your address. If FTTN, copper line quality may degrade under load or long distance from node causing evening slowdowns. Request Optus/NBN Co line sync speed check. Copper faults (corrosion, water ingress) worsen during humid evenings.
Switch to different RSP if persistent—if Optus cannot resolve CVC congestion after multiple complaints, consider switching to RSP with better CVC allocation reputation (Aussie Broadband, Superloop, Telstra). Month-to-month contracts allow switching without penalty. Online NBN communities (Whirlpool forums) discuss RSP-specific CVC performance by POI area.
Upgrade to higher speed tier if congestion affecting lower tier—sometimes CVC congestion disproportionately affects NBN 50/100 tiers while NBN 250 customers get full speeds (RSP prioritizes higher-paying customers). Upgrading may bypass congestion, though ideally RSP should provision adequate CVC for all tiers.
Consider Optus 5G Home Internet as NBN alternative—if NBN CVC congestion persistent and Optus 5G coverage available, switching to 5G Home Internet bypasses NBN infrastructure entirely. 5G typical speeds 100-300 Mbps may exceed congested NBN 50/100, though 5G has own congestion issues during peak.

Want to cancel Optus NBN but facing early termination fees (ETF) for modem contract, unclear about contract obligations

Cause: Optus includes WiFi 6 modem free with 24-month contract commitment. Canceling before 24 months incurs ETF covering remaining modem cost. Month-to-month plans require bringing own modem upfront.

Review Optus contract terms for ETF amount—log into MyOptus account or contact support to confirm remaining contract months and ETF amount. Typical ETF: $10-20 per remaining month, so canceling with 12 months left costs ~$120-240. Factor ETF into switching decision.
Negotiate with Optus retention department—when canceling, Optus routes to retention team offering discounts to stay. Explain competing offer from other RSP; retention may waive ETF, reduce monthly price, or upgrade speed tier to match competitor. Worth negotiating before accepting ETF.
Wait for contract expiry to avoid ETF—if only few months remain on 24-month contract, waiting until expiry avoids ETF. Optus converts to month-to-month after contract ends. Set calendar reminder to shop competitors at contract expiry for best switching timing.
Transfer Optus service to new address if moving—moving house within Optus NBN coverage area allows transferring service to new address without ETF. Optus resets installation and continues contract. Check new address Optus availability before committing.
Bring own modem on new plan—if starting fresh with Optus or switching from competitor, purchase own modem ($100-200 upfront) and select month-to-month no-contract plan. Avoids 24-month lock-in and ETF risk. Upfront modem cost recovered in ~6-10 months of contract flexibility.
Understand modem ownership—modem remains Optus property during 24-month contract. If canceling, Optus may request modem return or charge non-return fee ($150-250). After contract completes, modem becomes customer property. Clarify ownership terms with Optus before canceling.

Optus History

Key milestones in Optus development and network expansion.

1981

AUSSAT founded as Australian Satellite Communications Authority, government-owned entity providing satellite telecommunications services for rural and remote Australia. Initial focus on broadcast television and radio distribution via satellite.

1991

AUSSAT privatized and rebranded as Optus Communications, becoming Australia's first telecommunications competitor breaking Telecom Australia's (Telstra) monopoly. Introduced competition to fixed-line and mobile markets, initially focusing on long-distance calls and mobile services.

2001

Singapore Telecommunications (Singtel) acquires Optus for $14 billion AUD, marking significant foreign investment in Australian telecommunications. Singtel provided capital for network expansion and 3G mobile rollout. Optus remains wholly-owned Singtel subsidiary.

2012

Optus begins transitioning customers from legacy cable and DSL networks to NBN as NBN Co rollout progresses. Optus owned HFC cable network covering 2.1 million premises (Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast), which would later transfer to NBN Co.

2016

Launch of Optus Sport streaming service with exclusive English Premier League broadcast rights ($189 million deal over 3 seasons). Strategic move to differentiate internet plans—Optus Sport included with NBN 100+ plans, adding value for football fans. Renewed EPL rights multiple times through 2026.

2018

Optus HFC cable network (2.1 million premises) transferred to NBN Co ownership as part of NBN multi-technology mix. NBN Co paid Optus $800 million compensation for infrastructure. Former Optus cable footprint integrated with Telstra cable into unified NBN HFC network.

2019

Optus begins 5G mobile network rollout in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide. Initial deployment focused on capital city centers with gradual expansion to suburbs and regional cities. 5G infrastructure positioned for future 5G Home Internet service.

2020

Launch of Optus 5G Home Internet fixed wireless broadband service, offering NBN alternative using 5G mobile network. Priced competitively at $79/month with 100-300 Mbps typical speeds. Targeted FTTN customers and renters needing no-installation solution.

2021

WiFi 6 modem rollout begins—Optus replaces older WiFi 5 modems with modern WiFi 6 (802.11ax) routers supporting faster wireless speeds and better multi-device performance. Included free on all NBN plans with 24-month contract.

2022

Optus suffers major cyberattack and data breach exposing personal information of 11 million current and former customers (names, addresses, driver license numbers, passport numbers). Largest data breach in Australian history sparked regulatory scrutiny and customer trust damage. Optus offered free credit monitoring and identity protection to affected customers.

2026

Optus serves 1.9 million NBN customers (second-largest RSP) and 10.5 million mobile subscribers. 5G network covers 70% of Australian population across 700+ locations. ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia reports show Optus consistently achieving 95-100% of advertised speeds. Continues premium positioning with Optus Sport differentiation, though facing increasing competition from budget RSPs and improving customer trust post-2022 data breach.

Mobile Data Settings

Need to configure your Optus mobile data? View the complete APN settings for Android and iOS devices.

View Optus APN Settings

Test Your Optus Speed

Run a free speed test to check if Optus delivers the speeds you are paying for. Test during peak evening hours for the most realistic results. Compare your results against Optus advertised speeds above.

Optus Speed Test FAQ

How fast is Optus NBN internet?

Optus NBN speeds range from 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps depending on your plan and NBN technology type. According to ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia reports, Optus delivers 95-100% of advertised speeds during busy evening hours on most plans. Actual speeds depend on your NBN connection type. FTTP supports all speed tiers while FTTN is limited by copper line quality. Optus 5G Home Internet delivers 100-300 Mbps typically.

What is included with Optus internet plans?

Optus NBN plans include a WiFi 6 modem, unlimited data, and Optus Sport streaming on most tiers. Optus Sport provides exclusive Premier League coverage, making Optus plans attractive for football fans. The modem is provided on a 24-month contract, or you can bring your own device. 5G Home Internet includes a 5G modem with no installation required. Bundle discounts of $10-20 per month are available when combined with Optus mobile plans.

How do I test my Optus speed?

Use the speed test tool on this page to measure your Optus NBN or 5G download speed, upload speed, and ping latency. For accurate results, connect directly to the Optus modem using an ethernet cable. Test during the busy period between 7pm and 11pm AEST to measure typical evening speeds. For 5G Home Internet, position near the modem and ensure strong 5G signal. The test takes approximately 30 seconds.

Should I choose Optus NBN or 5G Home Internet?

Choose NBN if you need the highest speeds (250 Mbps to 1 Gbps) with FTTP or HFC connection, or if you require consistent latency for gaming. Choose 5G Home Internet if NBN speeds at your address are limited by FTTN copper, if you rent and need no installation, or if you are in a strong 5G coverage area. 5G delivers 100-300 Mbps typically which exceeds most FTTN connections. Check Optus 5G coverage at your address before deciding.