Quick Answer: Telstra vs Optus
Telstra is Australia’s largest ISP with 3.5 million broadband customers and 40%+ NBN market share. Telstra delivers 98-100% of advertised speeds and includes a 4G backup modem on all plans.
Optus serves 1.9 million broadband customers as the second-largest ISP. Optus includes Optus Sport streaming on most plans and prices $5-10 lower than Telstra at every tier.
Quick verdict: Optus for value and sports fans. Telstra for support and 5G coverage.
Side-by-Side Comparison
This table covers the main differences between Telstra and Optus across features, pricing, and performance.
| Feature | Telstra | Optus |
|---|---|---|
| Broadband Customers | 3.5M (40%+ share) | 1.9M (20-25% share) |
| Founded | 1975 | 1981 |
| Parent Company | Telstra Group Ltd | Singtel (Singapore) |
| NBN 50 Price | $90/month | $79/month |
| NBN 100 Price | $110/month | $99/month |
| NBN 250 Price | $140/month | $109/month |
| NBN 1000 Price | $180/month | $139/month |
| ACCC Speed Delivery | 98-100% | 95-100% |
| 5G Home Internet | $85/month, 85% pop. | $79/month, 70% pop. |
| Modem Included | Smart Modem + 4G backup | WiFi 6 modem |
| Streaming Included | No (paid add-ons) | Optus Sport (NBN 100+) |
| Support | Australian call centers | Offshore call centers |
| Contract | Month-to-month available | 24-month for free modem |
Test Your Telstra Speed | Test Your Optus Speed
Speed Comparison
NBN Speed Performance
Both Telstra and Optus resell the same NBN Co wholesale network. Speed differences come from CVC (Connectivity Virtual Circuit) capacity each provider buys from NBN Co.
| Plan Tier | Telstra Typical Speed | Optus Typical Speed |
|---|---|---|
| NBN 50 | 48-50 Mbps evening | 47-50 Mbps evening |
| NBN 100 | 95-100 Mbps evening | 95-100 Mbps evening |
| NBN 250 | 240-250 Mbps evening | 240-250 Mbps evening |
| NBN 1000 | Up to 990 Mbps | Up to 970 Mbps |
ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia reports show Telstra at 98-100% of advertised speeds during busy evening hours. Optus achieves 95-100%. The difference is 1-3 Mbps in real-world use.
5G Home Internet Speed
Both providers offer 5G Home Internet as an NBN alternative. Speeds vary by tower proximity and congestion.
| Metric | Telstra 5G Home | Optus 5G Home |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Speed | 50-300 Mbps | 100-300 Mbps |
| Peak Speed | Up to 500 Mbps | Up to 400 Mbps |
| Latency | 10-25ms | 10-25ms |
| Population Coverage | 85% (1,000+ suburbs) | 70% (700+ suburbs) |
Telstra has wider 5G coverage in outer suburbs and regional areas. Optus concentrates 5G in inner-city areas and capital city cores.
Run Speed Test Now to check your actual connection speed.
Coverage Comparison
Both Telstra and Optus resell the same NBN Co network. Geographic NBN coverage is identical. The difference lies in 5G Home Internet availability.
NBN Coverage (Identical):
- Both available wherever NBN Co has rolled out
- FTTP, HFC, FTTN, Fixed Wireless, Satellite - same for both
- Technology type determined by address, not provider
5G Home Internet (Different):
- Telstra: 85% population coverage, 1,000+ suburbs and towns
- Optus: 70% population coverage, 700+ suburbs
- Telstra available in more outer suburban and regional areas
- Optus concentrated in inner metro areas
Regional Presence:
- Telstra: 300+ retail stores nationwide including regional towns
- Optus: Fewer stores, concentrated in metro areas
- Rural customers better served by Telstra’s established footprint
Pricing Comparison
All prices are in AUD and include GST. Plans include unlimited data.
NBN Plan Pricing
| Plan | Telstra | Optus | Saving with Optus |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBN 50 | $90/month | $79/month | $11/month ($132/year) |
| NBN 100 | $110/month | $99/month | $11/month ($132/year) |
| NBN 250 | $140/month | $109/month | $31/month ($372/year) |
| NBN 1000 | $180/month | $139/month | $41/month ($492/year) |
Optus is cheaper at every tier. The gap widens on high-speed plans.
5G Home Internet Pricing
| Feature | Telstra | Optus |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $85/month | $79/month |
| Typical Speed | 50-300 Mbps | 100-300 Mbps |
| Data | Unlimited | Unlimited |
What’s Included
| Feature | Telstra | Optus |
|---|---|---|
| Modem | Smart Modem Gen 3 (WiFi 6) + 4G backup | WiFi 6 modem |
| Streaming | None (paid add-ons) | Optus Sport (on NBN 100+) |
| Mobile Bundles | $10-20/month off with Telstra mobile | $10-20/month off with Optus mobile |
| Entertainment | Binge, Kayo add-ons ($10-25/month) | Optus Sport included |
Optus Sport is worth $24.99/month standalone. Football fans save significantly with Optus.
Pros and Cons
Telstra Advantages
- ACCC speed delivery at 98-100% of advertised speeds
- Australian-based customer support with 10-20 minute hold times
- Smart Modem with 4G backup (15GB/month) for outage protection
- Largest 5G network covering 85% of population
- 300+ retail stores for face-to-face support in regional areas
- Entertainment bundle options with Binge, Kayo, Apple TV+
Telstra Disadvantages
- $10-40 more expensive per month than Optus at every tier
- No streaming service included in base plan
- 4G backup limited to 15GB per month
- Premium pricing not justified for tech-savvy users who self-troubleshoot
- Contract lock-in on bundled entertainment plans (24 months)
Optus Advantages
- $5-41 cheaper per month depending on plan tier
- Optus Sport included on NBN 100+ plans (Premier League, Champions League)
- WiFi 6 modem included free
- 5G Home Internet at $79/month competitive pricing
- Good ACCC speed performance at 95-100% of advertised
- Month-to-month option with BYO modem
Optus Disadvantages
- Offshore call centers with 30-60 minute hold times
- No 4G backup modem for outage protection
- Smaller 5G coverage area (70% vs Telstra 85%)
- Occasional CVC congestion in select areas reported by ACCC
- 2022 data breach affected 11 million customers (trust concern)
- 24-month contract required for free modem
Which Should You Choose?
Choose Telstra If:
- You need reliable Australian-based customer support
- Your area has frequent NBN outages (4G backup modem)
- You live in a regional or outer suburban area
- You want 5G Home Internet outside inner metro areas
- You already use Telstra mobile for bundle discounts
- You prefer face-to-face support at retail stores
Choose Optus If:
- You want to save $11-41 per month on NBN
- You watch Premier League or Champions League football
- You live in an inner metro area with good Optus 5G
- You use Optus mobile and want bundle discounts
- You want a no-installation 5G Home Internet option
- You are comfortable troubleshooting basic issues yourself
Use Case Recommendations
Different households have different priorities. This table maps common scenarios to the better provider.
| Use Case | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Family streaming 4K | Either | Both deliver advertised NBN speeds |
| Work from home | Telstra | 4G backup modem protects against outages |
| Football fans | Optus | Optus Sport included free on NBN 100+ |
| Budget household | Optus | $132-492 cheaper per year |
| Regional Australia | Telstra | Better 5G coverage and retail stores |
| Tech-savvy user | Optus | Save money, self-troubleshoot |
| FTTN with poor copper | Either 5G | Switch to 5G Home Internet |
| Renters | Optus 5G | No-installation, $79/month |
How to Run a Fair Speed Test
To compare Telstra and Optus accurately, test under identical conditions. Both providers use the same NBN infrastructure, so differences appear mainly during peak evening hours (7-11pm AEST).
Quick test steps:
- Connect your device directly to the modem with an ethernet cable.
- Close all streaming, downloads, and cloud backups.
- Run 3 tests during off-peak hours and 3 during peak hours (8-10pm).
- Compare download, upload, and latency together.
- Note your NBN technology type (FTTP, HFC, FTTN) for context.
Run Speed Test Now - Our free test uses M-Lab NDT7 protocol and takes 30 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster, Telstra or Optus?
Both achieve high marks in ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia testing. Telstra delivers 98-100% of advertised speeds during evening peak hours. Optus delivers 95-100%. In real-world terms, the difference is 1-3 Mbps on most plan tiers. Both meet advertised speeds. For Gigabit plans, Telstra averages 990 Mbps vs Optus 970 Mbps. For most households on NBN 50 or NBN 100, performance is effectively identical.
Is Telstra worth the extra cost?
Telstra’s premium buys you Australian-based support, a Smart Modem with 4G backup, and wider 5G coverage. If you value quick support response and outage protection, the $11/month premium on NBN 50 may be worth it. Tech-savvy users who rarely call support can save $132-492/year by choosing Optus without meaningful performance loss.
Does Optus have congestion problems?
ACCC reports and user feedback indicate Optus occasionally has CVC congestion in specific POI (Point of Interconnect) areas. This causes evening slowdowns in select suburbs. It is not widespread. Most Optus customers experience consistent speeds. Check Whirlpool forums for your specific suburb before signing up.
Can I switch from Telstra to Optus easily?
Yes. NBN switching between RSPs typically takes 1-3 business days. No technician visit required for standard switches. Your NBN technology type stays the same. Contact Optus to initiate the switch. If on a Telstra contract, check early termination fees before switching.
Which provider is better for gaming?
Both deliver the same latency on the same NBN technology. Ping depends on your NBN connection type (FTTP is lowest at 5-15ms, FTTN is 15-40ms) and server location. Neither Telstra nor Optus has a meaningful latency advantage over the other for gaming. Wired ethernet connections matter more than provider choice.
Summary
Telstra and Optus are Australia’s two largest NBN providers, together serving over 5 million broadband customers. Both deliver advertised speeds during peak hours and provide unlimited data on all plans.
Telstra charges $10-41 more per month but provides Australian-based support, a 4G backup modem, and wider 5G Home Internet coverage. These extras matter most for users who need reliability and hands-on support.
Optus offers the same NBN performance at lower prices and includes Optus Sport streaming worth $24.99/month. Football fans and budget-conscious users save $132-492 per year without giving up meaningful speed.
Last Updated: February 12, 2026 Data Sources: Telstra.com.au, Optus.com.au, ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia