Quick Answer: Optus vs Aussie Broadband
Optus serves 1.9 million broadband customers with NBN plans from $79/month. Optus includes Optus Sport streaming on most plans and offers 5G Home Internet as an NBN alternative.
Aussie Broadband serves 750,000 customers with NBN plans from $79/month. ASX-listed and based in Morwell, Victoria, Aussie Broadband is known for top-tier customer support and high CVC capacity.
Quick verdict: Aussie Broadband for support quality. Optus for sports streaming and 5G options.
Side-by-Side Comparison
This table compares Optus and Aussie Broadband across pricing, performance, and service features.
| Feature | Optus | Aussie Broadband |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband Customers | 1.9M | 750,000 |
| Founded | 1981 | 2003 |
| Parent Company | Singtel (Singapore) | ASX: ABB (Australian) |
| NBN 50 Price | $79/month | $79/month |
| NBN 100 Price | $99/month | $89/month |
| NBN 100/40 Price | N/A | $99/month |
| NBN 250 Price | $109/month | $109/month |
| NBN 1000 Price | $139/month | $149/month |
| ACCC Speed Delivery | 95-100% | 98-100% |
| Modem | WiFi 6 (free on contract) | BYO or purchase |
| 5G Home Internet | Yes ($79/month) | No |
| Streaming Included | Optus Sport (NBN 100+) | None |
| Support | Offshore call centers | Australian-based team |
| Contract | 24-month for free modem | No lock-in |
| BYO Modem Discount | No | $10/month off |
Test Your Optus Speed | Test Your Aussie Broadband Speed
Speed Comparison
NBN Speed Performance
Both providers resell NBN Co wholesale. Aussie Broadband invests heavily in CVC capacity and publishes network utilization data publicly.
| Plan Tier | Optus Typical Speed | Aussie Broadband Typical Speed |
|---|---|---|
| NBN 50 | 47-50 Mbps evening | 48-50 Mbps evening |
| NBN 100 | 95-100 Mbps evening | 98-100 Mbps evening |
| NBN 100/40 | N/A | 98-100 / 38-40 Mbps |
| NBN 250 | 240-250 Mbps evening | 245-250 Mbps evening |
| NBN 1000 | Up to 970 Mbps | Up to 980 Mbps |
ACCC reports place Aussie Broadband at 98-100% of advertised speeds and Optus at 95-100%. Both are top-tier performers. Aussie Broadband’s transparent CVC monitoring (publishes real-time graphs) gives users visibility into network capacity.
Upload Speed Option
Aussie Broadband offers an NBN 100/40 plan ($99/month) with 40 Mbps upload instead of the standard 20 Mbps. Optus does not offer a comparable enhanced upload tier.
Run Speed Test Now to check your actual connection speed.
Coverage Comparison
Both resell the same NBN Co network. Geographic coverage is identical.
NBN Coverage (Identical):
- Same FTTP, HFC, FTTN, Fixed Wireless, Satellite access
- Technology type determined by address, not provider
- Both nationwide NBN availability
5G Home Internet (Optus only):
- Optus: 5G Home Internet at $79/month in 700+ suburbs
- Aussie Broadband: No 5G offering, NBN-only focus
- Optus 5G useful for FTTN customers with poor copper or renters
Business Services:
- Aussie Broadband offers business NBN and enterprise services
- Optus offers business plans and 5G for enterprise
Pricing Comparison
All prices in AUD including GST. All plans include unlimited data.
NBN Plan Pricing
| Plan | Optus | Aussie Broadband | Aussie BYO Modem Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBN 50 | $79/month | $79/month | $69/month |
| NBN 100 | $99/month | $89/month | $79/month |
| NBN 100/40 | N/A | $99/month | $89/month |
| NBN 250 | $109/month | $109/month | $99/month |
| NBN 1000 | $139/month | $149/month | $139/month |
With BYO modem discount ($10/month off), Aussie Broadband is cheaper at NBN 50 and NBN 100. Optus is cheaper at NBN 1000. Both match at NBN 250.
What’s Included
| Feature | Optus | Aussie Broadband |
|---|---|---|
| Modem | WiFi 6 (24-month contract) | BYO ($10/month discount) or purchase |
| Streaming | Optus Sport (NBN 100+) | None |
| CVC Transparency | No public data | Real-time CVC graphs published |
| Mobile Bundles | $10-20/month off with Optus mobile | No mobile service |
| Contract | 24-month for modem | No lock-in |
Pros and Cons
Optus Advantages
- Optus Sport included on NBN 100+ (Premier League, Champions League)
- 5G Home Internet at $79/month in 700+ suburbs
- WiFi 6 modem included free on contract
- Mobile bundle savings with Optus mobile ($10-20/month)
- Cheaper at NBN 1000 tier ($139 vs $149)
- Nationwide brand with retail presence
Optus Disadvantages
- Offshore support with 30-60 minute hold times
- No CVC transparency (no public network data)
- 24-month modem contract with early termination fees
- No enhanced upload tier (no 100/40 plan)
- 2022 data breach affected 11 million customers
- Occasional CVC congestion in select POI areas
Aussie Broadband Advantages
- Australian-based support with live chat and community forums
- ACCC speed delivery at 98-100% of advertised
- $10/month BYO modem discount
- NBN 100/40 plan with 40 Mbps upload
- No lock-in contracts on any plan
- Transparent CVC capacity published in real time
- Multiple Canstar Blue customer satisfaction awards
Aussie Broadband Disadvantages
- No streaming service included
- No 5G Home Internet alternative
- No mobile service for bundle savings
- NBN 1000 is $10/month more than Optus
- Smaller company (750K vs 1.9M customers)
- No free modem (purchase or BYO required)
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Optus If:
- You watch Premier League or Champions League football
- You need 5G Home Internet for an FTTN address or rental
- You already use Optus mobile for bundle discounts
- You want a free WiFi 6 modem included
- You want the cheapest Gigabit plan between these two
Choose Aussie Broadband If:
- Customer support quality is your top priority
- You want transparent network performance data
- You prefer no lock-in contracts
- You need enhanced upload (100/40 plan) for work from home
- You already own a quality router (save $10/month BYO)
- You value an Australian-owned, ASX-listed company
Use Case Recommendations
This table matches common household scenarios to the better provider.
| Use Case | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Football fans | Optus | Optus Sport included free |
| Support-focused | Aussie Broadband | Best NBN support in Australia |
| Work from home | Aussie Broadband | 100/40 plan, reliable speeds |
| FTTN poor copper | Optus | 5G Home Internet alternative |
| Renters | Optus | No-install 5G option |
| Tech enthusiast | Aussie Broadband | CVC transparency, BYO modem |
| Budget NBN 100 | Aussie Broadband | $89/month vs $99 |
| Gigabit plan | Optus | $139/month vs $149 |
How to Run a Fair Speed Test
Both providers use the same NBN infrastructure. Differences appear in CVC capacity during peak hours.
Quick test steps:
- Connect directly to the modem with an ethernet cable.
- Pause all streaming, downloads, and cloud backups.
- Run 3 tests during off-peak and 3 during peak hours (8-10pm AEST).
- Compare download, upload, and latency together.
- Check Aussie Broadband’s public CVC graphs for your area.
Run Speed Test Now - Free M-Lab NDT7 test, takes 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better customer service, Optus or Aussie Broadband?
Aussie Broadband is widely rated as the best customer service among Australian NBN providers. The company uses 100% Australian-based support staff with live chat, phone, and active community forums. Optus uses primarily offshore call centers (Philippines, India) with 30-60 minute hold times during peak periods.
Is Optus Sport worth the Optus premium?
Optus Sport includes exclusive English Premier League and UEFA Champions League coverage. Standalone subscription costs $24.99/month. If you watch football, choosing Optus NBN 100 ($99/month) effectively gives you Optus Sport free. Non-football fans get no value from this inclusion.
Can I switch between Optus and Aussie Broadband easily?
Yes. NBN provider switching takes 1-3 business days with no technician visit needed. Your NBN technology type stays the same. If on an Optus 24-month modem contract, check early termination fees first. Aussie Broadband has no lock-in contracts.
Does Aussie Broadband have enough scale to compete?
Aussie Broadband has 750,000 customers and is listed on the ASX (ABB). The company has grown rapidly and invests heavily in CVC capacity. ACCC testing confirms Aussie Broadband matches or exceeds larger providers on speed delivery. Scale has not been a limiting factor.
Which is better for a large household?
Both perform well for large households. For heavy upload needs (video calls, cloud backup), Aussie Broadband’s 100/40 plan offers double the upload speed. For households prioritizing streaming entertainment, Optus Sport adds value. For raw speed, both deliver similar NBN performance at each tier.
Summary
Optus and Aussie Broadband both deliver strong NBN performance at similar price points. The choice comes down to what extras matter most.
Optus includes Optus Sport streaming (worth $24.99/month) on NBN 100+ plans and offers 5G Home Internet as an NBN alternative. Mobile bundle discounts add further savings for Optus phone users.
Aussie Broadband offers Australia’s best-rated customer support, transparent network monitoring, no lock-in contracts, and a $10/month BYO modem discount. For users who value service quality and flexibility over streaming perks, Aussie Broadband delivers premium-tier performance at mid-tier pricing.
Last Updated: February 12, 2026 Data Sources: Optus.com.au, AussieBroadband.com.au, ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia