Buddy Telco NBN plans review Background

Buddy Telco NBN plans review

Buddy Telco NBN plans are available across a range of speed tiers to suit different household needs. The table below shows Buddy internet plans on our database. You can change the default settings to show other NBN providers.

Data Insights Analyst
Senior Telco Specialist
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Buddy Telco | Standard NBN
NBN Fixed Line | No lock-in contract
Modem not included | min. $65 spend over 1 month
Not yet rated
Glossary
Unlimited Glossary
Data included
24/8 Glossary
Max download speed 24Mbps
$65 Glossary
Buddy Telco | Value NBN
NBN Fixed Line | No lock-in contract
Modem not included | min. $65 spend over 1 month #T&Cs apply
DISCOUNT
Save $10/mth for the first 6 months. 
#
Tooltip icon
Not yet rated
Glossary
Unlimited Glossary
Data included
49/16 Glossary
Max download speed 49Mbps
$65 Glossary
$65/mth for 6 months, then $75/mth
Buddy Telco | Standard NBN
NBN Fixed Line | No lock-in contract
+$200 modem (included) | min. $265 spend over 1 month
Not yet rated
Glossary
Unlimited Glossary
Data included
24/8 Glossary
Max download speed 24Mbps
$65 Glossary
Buddy Telco | Value NBN
NBN Fixed Line | No lock-in contract
+$200 modem (included) | min. $265 spend over 1 month #T&Cs apply
DISCOUNT
Save $10/mth for the first 6 months. 
#
Tooltip icon
Not yet rated
Glossary
Unlimited Glossary
Data included
49/16 Glossary
Max download speed 49Mbps
$65 Glossary
$65/mth for 6 months, then $75/mth

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The initial results in the table above are sorted by Cost per month (Low-High) , then Value Rank out of 10 (High-Low) , then Provider Name (Alphabetical) . Additional filters may have been applied, which impact the results displayed in the table - filters can be applied or removed at any time.

Buddy Telco review: What NBN plans does Buddy Telco offer?

Launched in 2024, Buddy Telco is the budget-focused offshoot brand to popular NBN provider, Aussie Broadband. Buddy Telco offers a range of NBN plans across several different speed tiers — NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100 and NBN 1000.

While Aussie Broadband’s NBN plans are typically more expensive compared to plans from other NBN providers, Buddy’s NBN plans are on the cheaper end. Buddy Telco’s approach to no-frills internet with a digital-only focus keeps things simple so that standard pricing is cheaper than other providers, including its parent company.

However, this means that customer service operations are online-only and live chat hours are limited. However you can also manage your account and service through the Buddy Telco app or use the chatbot.

What’s included with Buddy NBN plans?

Buddy’s NBN plans are available as BYO modem plans. However, you do have the option of adding on a modem to your plan for an additional cost. If you add on a modem, you can choose to pay for your modem outright and upfront or on a payment plan over 12 months, however you’ll also need to pay for shipping.

Because Buddy Telco is a budget-focused internet provider, you won’t get any extras such as home phone plans or entertainment add-ons.

Buddy Telco NBN speeds

While Buddy Telco only offers four NBN speed tiers — NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100 and NBN 1000 — real-world experience will differ from household to household.

To give customers an idea of what to expect from their NBN plan speed, NBN providers are required to list the typical evening speed you can expect on a plan during the busy evening peak between 7pm and 11pm. To get an idea of what to expect from your Buddy NBN plan speeds, you can check out our guide on typical evening speeds.

Buddy Telco contact and customer service

Buddy Telco keeps things simple, which also means your customer service options are limited. You can manage your account via the Buddy Telco app, while there is an online chatbot available at all hours for self-serve options. Buddy Telco’s Perth-based live chat customer support team is available Monday – Friday, from 12pm – 8pm (AEDT).

About our internet experts


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Emma Bradstock: Senior Telco Specialist

As Canstar Blue’s Senior Telco Specialist, Emma Bradstock covers all things mobile phone and internet, which she’s focused on for over five years. Emma has over a decade of professional writing experience across print and digital media outlets and for digital agencies, and has turned her hand to multimedia content and social media management.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University. You can follow Emma on LinkedIn.

Meet the Editorial Team

 

 

Josh Filosi: Data Insights Analyst

Josh Filosi is Canstar’s Data Insights Analyst, and helps develop and deliver the methodology for Canstar Blue’s Value Rankings and Awards for the telco industry. He holds a double-major in Economics and Behavioral Science, and enjoys interpreting complex data. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn.

Meet the Research Team

 

Latest in internet

Buddy Telco is a subsidiary of Aussie Broadband. Aussie Broadband is one of the most popular small NBN providers in Australia, and has grown its market share over the last several years to be the largest small provider in Australia. Aussie Broadband now has 7.7% of the NBN market share according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) September quarter 2024 NBN wholesale market share report.

This makes Aussie Broadband — and Buddy Telco by extension — the fifth largest NBN provider behind Telstra, TPG group (TPG, iiNet, Vodafone), Optus and Vocus (Dodo and iPrimus).

Buddy Telco offers the option to BYO modem or to add on a modem to your plan. However, if you choose to add on a modem to your plan, you will need to pay an additional cost. You’ll need to either buy your modem outright, or pay it off over 12 months.

Buddy Telco was launched in 2024 as a budget-focused subsidiary of popular internet provider, Aussie Broadband.

While Buddy Telco hasn’t been around for too long, its parent company, Aussie Broadband, is one of the most popular NBN providers on the market.

Aussie Broadband won Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers award for NBN Providers in 2024 and 2023, and has previously won the award in 2020 and 2019. As Buddy Telco is still rather new, it has yet to make an appearance in our NBN provider ratings.

Customers rate Aussie Broadband highly for customer service and speed and reliability, among other categories. While Buddy Telco’s customer service options are more limited to what you’ll get with Aussie Broadband, you may find other areas, such as billing and speed could offer a comparable experience between the two providers.

Considering that Buddy Telco’s standard prices are some of the cheapest NBN prices (without discounts) around — including NBN 1000 for under $100 — if you’re looking to save on your internet bills, Buddy Telco could be the right provider for you. Existing Aussie Broadband customers may also be enticed to make the switch if they’re looking to save and don’t mind the straightforward plan options.

However, if more readily available customer service options are important to you, especially the ability to call for customer support, Buddy might not be the best provider for you. If you’re also looking for more choice in plans or features, you may also want to look elsewhere.

Read more: How to switch NBN plans

Important information

For those that love the detail

This advice is general and has not taken into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Consider whether this advice is right for you.

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 NBN Value Rank & Sort Order 

The data in the table is updated within 24 hours of Canstar Blue becoming aware of a change. You can find a description of the initial sort order below the table. You can use the sort buttons at the top of each column to re-order the display. Learn more about our NBN Value Rank Methodology

Please note that the Customer Satisfaction rating displayed in the table is a rating relating to customer overall satisfaction with the brand, and should not be confused with an individual product rating. Learn more about NBN Customer Satisfaction ratings and for more information on how the Customer Satisfaction ratings are calculated, read the Canstar Blue Customer Satisfaction Ratings Methodology.

The ratings shown are only one factor to take into account when considering products. The results do not include all NBN retailers or products in the market, and may not compare all features relevant to you. Canstar Blue does not supply internet services. If you decide to apply for a particular NBN plan, you will deal directly with the NBN retailer, and not with Canstar Blue. Fees, charges, product information and contract terms should be confirmed directly with the relevant NBN retailer. The NBN plans listed are suitable for Fixed Line connections for residential purposes.

NBN Speed Tiers 

The speed associated with a speed tier is the typical evening download speed of the plan. These tiers are based on a range of usage scenarios set out by NBN Co. Internet speeds on the NBN network are influenced by factors like access technology, equipment quality, chosen plan, and network design. Speeds may fluctuate during busy periods and depend on the number of users online simultaneously, as well as your NBN access technology. Check with a retailer before purchasing a product to see what speed you will likely receive at your address.

Typical Evening Speed 

The typical evening speed of personal household plans can also be known as typical busy period speed. Typical busy period speeds are the download/upload speeds the plan typically delivers between 7pm and 11pm each day (the busy period). The method for measuring and verifying the typical busy period speed may differ between retailers, however all retailers must conform to an ACCC legislated base case. The typical evening speed for each product is displayed in accordance with the product information developed by the retailer. The accuracy of the speed information should be confirmed with the relevant NBN retailer.

When 'TBC' is displayed this means that the provider is currently unable to provide typical evening speed estimates because sufficient data is not yet available.
The ACCC monitors the performance of internet providers. You can read more here. The speeds you experience may be lower than the advertised typical evening speed depending on factors such as your in-home set up and wiring.

Unlimited Data

Where 'unlimited' is used in relation to Data available on a plan it is likely to be subject to a fair use policy. Please confirm any terms of a fair use policy with your selected provider before making a purchase decision.

What does the ‘phone’ mean?
By clicking on the number next to the phone icon, you will leave the Canstar Blue website and be connected with the call centre of the Online Partner’s brand that you have selected. You will be subject to that referral partner's brand privacy policy and terms of use. You agree that Canstar Blue Referral Terms apply to this referral.