Optus Internet Plans Review
For more than two decades now, Optus has been the primary competitor to Telstra for the title of Australia’s biggest broadband provider. While competition has stiffened in recent years, Optus still remains a big player in the Australian telecommunications market, as one of the few telcos to own its very own internet infrastructure. Although Optus has a smaller market share than Telstra when it comes to NBN, it still remains competitive and offers a wide range of home internet connections.
Optus offers a range of internet plans to suit different needs, including NBN and mobile broadband, and even 5G broadband if you’re lucky enough to live in an area with 5G coverage. Curious to see how Optus stacks up when it comes to home internet plans and prices? Read on for our Optus internet review to help you choose the best plan to suit your needs.
Which Optus internet plans can I sign up to?
If you’re looking to sign up to an internet plan with Optus, you have a few options available to you. Choosing the best broadband plan does depend on what your home internet needs are and what is available at your address. Some of the internet options available from Optus include:
- NBN
- 4G home internet
- 5G home internet
- Mobile broadband
Many of Optus’ broadband plans (including 5G Home Internet) come with unlimited data, while 4G mobile broadband plans and home wireless plans come with limited data caps. Optus’s NBN plans are perhaps the highlight of its range, with a selection of different bundled internet plans, whether that’s with home phone or entertainment included. You’ll need to check your address to see if your home is eligible to connect to the NBN network.
For NBN, you simply choose your preferred plan type and speed, with NBN 25, NBN 50 and NBN 100/20 speeds on offer, along with NBN 250 or NBN 1000 speeds for eligible homes.
All plans are available on month-to-month terms and include a WiFi modem for an additional cost. However, stay connected for a full 36 months, and this modem price is waived.
Optus NBN Coverage
Like any other provider, Optus’ NBN coverage is reliant on the wider network, courtesy of NBN Co — the company that wholesales the NBN to providers. Fibre networks extend to 93% of the population, while the remaining 7% are covered by either a fixed wireless or satellite connection.
Optus NBN extends to all capital cities now, with major regional hubs also covered. Optus NBN is available across FTTP, HFC, FTTN, FTTB and FTTC fixed-line connections, although some plans may only be available with certain connection types. Top speeds will be confirmed once connected.
Optus Features & Bonuses
Optus is a full-service provider, meaning it offers more than just broadband. Here are some features and bonuses you can expect with Optus:
- Unlimited Data: All NBN plans feature unlimited monthly gigabytes.
- NBN Speeds: NBN 25, NBN 50NBN 100/20, NBN 250 and NBN 1000 speed tiers are available
- Technology Types: Optus offers NBN across Fibre to the Premises, Fibre to the Node, Fibre to the Building, Fibre to the Curb, HFC, and fixed wireless connections (fixed wireless is no longer available to new customers).
- Optus Sport: Optus Sport gives you live and exclusive access to Premier League, Champions League football, and related shows on-demand, plus you’ll also get OS Fitness, with access to a range of fitness videos.
- Entertainment: Optus has also launched its SubHub subscription bundling service, which allows you to add platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BritBox, iWonder, iQiyi, Calm, Sweat, and Kindle Unlimited, with more to come.
- Modems: Get an Optus Ultra WiFi modem on all plans, featuring 4G network backup. Internet Gamer plans include an ASUS gaming modem.
- Call Packs: Plans which don’t include calls can have call packs added on.
Optus is more than just your broadband provider; it provides entertainment for the whole family, and provides football (soccer) fans with their fix.
Optus NBN Review
When it comes to NBN plans, Optus does keep things simple. You choose between your preferred month-to-month plan from the Everyday or Family Entertainer plans, then choose which speed tier you want. Keep in mind that NBN 25 is not available with the Family Entertainer plan. Once you’ve selected your plan, you can then add on any extras like phone packs or streaming services.
The following table features a selection of month-to-month Optus NBN plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost from lowest to highest and then by data allowance. Use our comparison tool to see plans from other providers.
Optus 4G Home Internet Plans
Optus provides a single 4G home internet plan, which is available on either a two-year contract or month-to-month. This plan includes unlimited data, however download speeds are capped at maximum of 25Mbps and uploads at 5Mbps. Plans include a modem at no upfront cost, provided you stay connected for 24 months; if you cancel early, you’ll need to pay the remaining modem cost.
Coverage and serviceability will vary depending on device, location and other factors.
Optus 4G Home Internet Plans
The following table shows a selection of Optus 4G Home Internet plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
4G Home Internet Unlimited (24 Month)
min. cost $1,357 over 24 month plan period |
Unlimited | $59 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
4G Home Internet Unlimited (Month-to-Month)
min. cost $275 (incl. $216 modem cost) over first month plan period |
Unlimited | $59 | Link to provider unavailable |
 View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Optus 5G Home Internet Plans
Optus is offering unlimited 5G Home Internet to customers in eligible areas. Qualifying customers can access unlimited data on the 5G network, albeit with a maximum download speed of 50Mbps. If you want unrestricted speeds, you can upgrade to the new 5G Internet Entertainer Superfast plan with no speed caps.
You’ll also get a Nokia 5G modem with 4G/LTE backup included on all plans, and standard Netflix included on the 5G Internet Entertainer Superfast plan.
Optus 5G Home Internet is available on a month-to-month plan, with a $0 start-up fee. The 5G modem is included free when you stay connected for 36 months, but if you cancel sooner you’ll need to pay the remaining modem and booster costs in full.
Optus 5G Home Internet Plans
The following table shows selected published Optus 5G home internet plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Optus Plus Everyday 5G
min. cost $468 over first month |
Unlimited | $69 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Optus Plus Everyday Fast 5G
min. cost $468 over first month |
Unlimited | $79 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G
min. cost $468 over first month |
Unlimited | $99 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Optus Mobile Broadband Plans
Optus offers one month-to-month mobile broadband plan (data SIM-only), with the ability to bundle in a tablet or smart accessory, or bring your own compatible modem or device. Data inclusions are smaller than what you get with 4G or 5G home internet, however there are no excess data charges so you can keep using your data at the 1.5Mbps capped speed.
Optus Mobile Broadband Data SIM plans
The following table shows a selection of Optus mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
| Brand | Features | Max Data/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Choice Plus Data Plan
min. cost $20 month to month |
20GB | $20 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
^^View important information | |||
Optus Internet Contact & Customer Support
As you’d expect from a large telco, Optus has several different customer service and support options available.
- There is an online forum and FAQ page addressing a range of questions, troubleshooting and issues
- Optus 24/7 live message support on the website and through the My Optus app
- Optus technical and customer service number: 133 937
Generally, Optus and other telcos are moving away from having call centres as the go-to source of troubleshooting, instead encouraging consumers to use online chat, FAQs, forums and more to solve their issues. Optus also has an online portal and app where customers can access all their information, billing details and more.
Optus Internet FAQs
If you’re still after some details on Optus internet plans, check out the following FAQs to see if your question is answered, otherwise, check the Optus website for more information.
Does Optus internet have unlimited data?
The good news is that unlimited data is standard on both the Optus NBN plans and Optus 4G and 5G home internet plans, so you don’t need to stress about going over your data allowance. Limited data inclusions are only on Optus mobile broadband plans.
Can I get Optus internet at my home?
The options for Optus internet that you have available to you depends on where you live and what connection types are available at your home. For example, 5G Home Internet plans are only available to limited addresses, and even 4G Home Internet plans will require you to be in an area with good mobile network access. If you’re in an area that is connected to the NBN, you will most likely be able to sign up to Optus for your NBN plan, however the NBN connection type you have to your home may determine which speed plans are available to you.
Is Optus internet good for gaming?
Optus is one of several internet providers to offer specific internet tools for improving online gaming. The Optus Game Path tool is a Microsoft Windows application that works to optimise your online gaming experience by finding the best paths to improve connections to servers, both local and overseas. It also tracks your network performance and allows you to manually optimise your servers or use an automatic option with its own A.I. that will optimise it for you. This tool is available as an add on with eligible NBN connections and Windows 10 PCs for an additional cost per month. There is also a specific Optus Internet Gamer plan available on NBN 50 and NBN 100 speeds, with gaming modem included and other extras to improve your at-home gaming experience.
Is there an Optus internet outage?
Optus internet not working at your home? To check if your home internet is down, try restarting your modem/router by turning it off and on again. If that doesn’t work, you may need to unplug your modem/router from the power point for around 10 minutes and turn it back on. If you’re still experiencing issues after these simple troubleshooting tips, check the Optus website or NBN website to see if there are any network outages in your area. Otherwise, you’ll need to get in touch with Optus for further assistance and to check if there is anything wrong with your connection.
How does Optus compare to other internet providers?
Since the introduction of its streamlined new plan range, comparing Optus plans to the competition has become remarkably simple – all Optus NBN plans now come with unlimited data, which is still a significant advantage over plans offered by many large ISPs. Optus generally stacks up pretty well against other large ISPs, benefiting from its entertainment extras and having the Standard Plus speed tier as the default speed option on NBN plans. Optus plan prices are also fairly competitive – while not the cheapest NBN plans on the market, they are still not the most expensive plans either. Other internet and NBN providers competing with Optus include:
Overall, with these big telcos you’ll have to keep an eye out for contract length, setup fees, modem costs and other other fees that can make the first month of a plan quite expensive.
Is Optus a good internet provider?
Optus offers many attractive options across a range of internet connection types, and with unlimited data – even on NBN – it’s pretty hard to look past. The telco also routinely tops the ACCC’s quarterly Measuring Broadband report indicating that Optus typically delivers a fast and reliable NBN performance.
While some providers do offer cheaper prices, Optus’ inclusion of Optus Sport on all plans make it pretty much a ‘go-to’ when it comes to internet and entertainment bundles, with the option of adding on extras like Netflix an added incentive. The Internet Gamer plan may also entice anyone looking for that optimal internet performance for online gaming.
Access to 5G Home Internet plans is also a big plus if you’re looking for an alternative to the NBN, provided you can access these 5G plans at your home. Optus does strike a good balance between price, performance and inclusions, making it a worthy internet provider to consider when you’re comparing internet plans.
Other articles worth reading
- The Cheapest NBN Plans
- Australia’s Top NBN Plans
- NBN Speed Tiers Explained
- Checking If Your Router is NBN-Ready
About the author of this page
This page was written and is regularly updated by Canstar Blue’s Senior Telco Specialist, Emma Bradstock. An expert in all things phone, internet, gaming and streaming, Emma helps to make complicated subjects easier for readers to understand, as well as covering the latest news and reviews across the telco industry. She’s passionate about helping consumers make better-informed telco choices and highlighting the next best deals.