TPG’s acquisition of its competitor iiNet has created a telco superpower in Australia. Despite that, the two brands are still run as separate entities and their products remain unique – at least for now that is. This means Aussie customers still have a wide range of options to choose from when looking for a new home broadband or mobile phone plan.
TPG’s offerings have traditionally been focused on lower prices and value for money, whereas iiNet’s focus has been on more premium services such as the NBN, fibre to the home and fully-loaded bundles, as well as customer service and advocacy. However, with TPG’s emergence as Australia’s second largest home internet provider (behind Telstra) its image has shifted somewhat to a more ‘big brother’ provider, with prices on the whole pretty similar to those of iiNet. So how do the two brands stack up in terms of their plans for everyday customers?
TPG vs iiNet: NBN Compared
iiNet at face value is more expensive, but you often get 500GB as a base data amount, whereas with TPG your data allowances are as low as 10GB. However, if you’re after a faster plan, competition heats up a bit. On the ‘Standard Plus’ speed tier, TPG offers some of the cheapest unlimited data plans out there.
iiNet’s NBN offerings are pretty exciting, with a full complement of plans, where most start at $69.99 per month for unlimited data. While TPG’s entry price is generally lower, its starting data caps are lower as well. Another noteworthy thing is that for rural or remote customers, TPG might not even be on the agenda, as it doesn’t offer SkyMuster satellite plans. However, along the coastlines and in populated areas, both have pretty comparable plans with their fixed wireless and fibre service.
- TPG’s cheapest unlimited plan is $29.99 and is available with no contract, but this is on the Basic speed tier and with only 10GB of data (100GB will set you back $49.99, and unlimited for $59.99).
- iiNet’s cheapest unlimited offering is $59.99 for Basic NBN 12 with 500GB of data, and is available on a month-to-month contract (excluding modem charges and extras).
- As for speed tiers, Premium Evening Speed plans (NBN 100) with unlimited data are priced from $99.99 with iiNet, and from $89.99 with TPG.
- Both providers use VoIP services for home phone calls.
It’s pretty neck-and-neck between them: iiNet charges a higher base price, but offers more data, while TPG offers call packs as standard with selected plans.
NBN Plans & Prices
Can’t decide between iiNet and TPG? Check out some other providers below. The table below 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.. 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $63.90) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $65) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $69) Typical evening speed of 98Mbps 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. 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.
Unlimited
Data/month
$63.90
Cost/month
Go to Site
Unlimited
Data/month
$65
Cost/month
Go to Site
Unlimited
Data/month
$69
Cost/month
Go to Site
Unlimited Home Standard (NBN 50) Plans
Unlimited Home Fast (NBN 100) Plans
iiNet NBN Plans
iiNet have a wide range of NBN plans across all four main NBN speed tiers. All plans are offered contract-free, with the option to BYO modem or add-on iiNet’s own hardware for free when you stay connected for 24 months (charges up to $192 apply if you cancel early).
The below table features a selection of published iiNet NBN plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost from lowest to highest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a wider range of providers. These are products with links to a referral partner.
TPG NBN Plans
Like iiNet, TPG offers its NBN plans across the standard NBN 12, 25 (also known as Basic), 50 (also known as Standard) and 100 (also known as Fast) speed tiers. All plans are offered on a month-to-month basis with no lock-in contract, with the option to add a WiFi modem for $99.95 upfront. However, you can also BYO modem to all TPG plans.
The below table features a selection of published unlimited TPG NBN plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost from lowest to highest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a wider range of providers. These are products with links to a referral partner.
TPG vs iiNet: Phone Plans Compared
You may not normally associate TPG and iiNet with mobile phone plans, but both have some reasonable SIM-only deals up for grabs.
TPG’s mobile offerings are fairly simple and easy to understand. It sells four basic 4G plans, all of which come SIM-only and paid month to month on a prepaid basis (iiNet plans are also SIM only and prepaid).
- Both TPG and iiNet utilise the Vodafone Network.
- Both providers offer essentially the same plans with the same price point and data inclusions.
iiNet Mobile Plans
iiNet’s cheapest plan is $19.99 with unlimited standard national calls and SMS, plus 8GB of data, and plans go up to $39.99 per month with 55GB of data and unlimited standard national calls and SMS plus 100 international minutes to select countries.
The following table shows a selection of iiNet prepaid plans with unlimited call and SMS value as published in Canstar Blue’s database listed in order of lowest standard monthly cost to highest. Use our comparison tool to see all plans available on Canstar Blue’s database.
TPG Mobile Plans
TPG’s mobile plans are basically the exact same offering as iiNet’s prepaid plans, which isn’t surprising considering how both of these telcos are part of the TPG Telecom group. In recent years, these providers have started offering very similar products, so you’ll get the same starting price of $19.99 with 8GB of data and up to $39.99 with 55GB of data. All plans include unlimited standard national calls and SMS, plus 100 international minutes to select countries on the $39.99 plan.
The following table shows all TPG prepaid plans as published in Canstar Blue’s database listed in order of lowest standard monthly cost to highest. Use our comparison tool to see all plans available on Canstar Blue’s database.
TPG and iiNet Entertainment Options Compared
One of iiNet’s big drawcards is its addition of iiNet TV with Fetch. In an almost identical move to Optus, iiNet has partnered with TV service Fetch to offer customers a set-top box and access to a number of entertainment services. These include pausing, recording and rewinding live TV, buying and renting movies and TV shows, and streaming from services such as Netflix and Stan.
Fetch is included for $0 extra on selected iiNet NBN plans for your first 24 months, then from $5 per month. Optional channel packs are priced extra, and there is a $59.99 setup fee. TPG had previously offered a service called IPTV, however it doesn’t seem to be offered to new customers signing up to a TPG NBN plan.
TPG vs iiNet: Who Wins?
The product sets of TPG and iiNet show some clear similarities and some big differences too, however, what you will find is that both offer compelling internet and mobile phone plans. Both are good alternatives to the bigger guys, and it’s hard to separate the two.
Apart from a few little differences, iiNet and TPG are fairly similar when it comes to pricing – and the value you get. Despite TPG owning iiNet, it seems that both providers have maintained their own identities. We’re rating this one a tie, as both have some strong positives – and only a few arguable negatives. In the end, it all depends on your own circumstances; you might find one is better for you than the other.
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