What is the LBN? It sounds very similar to the NBN, but the fact is LBN is its own network, servicing a range of homes and businesses. In this article, Canstar Blue explores what LBN Co is and what LBN providers are available.
LBN Co providers and plans
LBN stands for ‘Local Broadband Network,’ a private fibre network in Australia that was taken over by Opticomm in 2021. All former LBN Co addresses are now connected to the Opticomm network.
It’s important to note that nothing has changed for existing customers – their connections still work the same, and they continue to be supported by the same customer service team.
Unlike the nationwide NBN network, which is owned by the Australian Government, the LBN Network was an independent, privately-owned telecommunications company. It provided internet service to homes and businesses: mainly new apartment buildings, broad-acre premises, and retirement living communities.
Many providers offering LBN will simply advertise it as ‘fast fibre’, ‘FTTP’ or ‘fibre to the home’. If an internet provider offers LBN, these plans will be listed separately from their fibre NBN plans, although prices and inclusions may be similar.
The plans and providers available to you will depend on your address. Some telcos offering residential plans on LBN’s network include:
- Exetel
- Ezinternet
- Harbour ISP
- Launtel
- Leaptel
- MyOwnTel
- Occom
- Uniti
For the most part, LBN plans may be similar to NBN and other Fibre internet plans. Generally the speed tiers are much the same as with the NBN, with 12/1, 25/5, 50/20 and 100/20 or 100/40 available. See below for how these providers’ plans compare to their NBN deals.
Compare NBN providers and plans
Prefer to stick to the NBN but could use a new plan? Check out some of the providers and plans available in the table below. The table contains affiliate links.
The following table shows a selection of sponsored unlimited data Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50), and Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners..
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $65.90) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$65.90 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $69) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$69 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $63.90) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps
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Unlimited Data/month |
$63.90 Cost/month |
Go to Site |
Unlimited Home Standard (NBN 50) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 50 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost (excluding discounts), from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited Home Fast (NBN 100) Plans
The table below shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
How does LBN compare to NBN?
NBN is a mix of connection technologies, including FTTN (Fibre to the Node) and HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial). In comparison, LBN is an FTTP connection that uses fibre optic cable exclusively. This provides higher speeds than NBN connections, as there’s no reliance on old copper wiring to transmit data. LBN also has a better latency and more reliable performance.
Price-wise, plans from LBN Co are around the same price per month as similarly-fast plans from NBN. However, this will vary depending on your plan and provider. Expect to pay from around $65 per month for a more entry-level plan, and from $95 and up for fast speeds.
Should I connect to the LBN?
LBN Co is a fibre network just like NBN, but is much less widely available. LBN is only offered within OptiComm and former LBN Co-connected communities. It’s more commonly found in new developments and apartment buildings in major metro areas.
If the home or business development you’ve bought into has chosen to connect to the LBN network, you probably won’t have the option of connecting to the NBN instead., However, you’ll at least get a choice of LBN providers, so you have the option of shopping around for the best price.
If you’ve previously lived somewhere with an NBN connection, you’ll find LBN speed tiers and prices relatively similar to what’s available on the NBN. While there aren’t as many providers offering LBN plans when compared to NBN, customers still have a choice of plans, prices and speeds.
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