What is an ISP?

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If you’re shopping around for anything home internet related, you’ve probably seen the acronym ISP floating around. But you may be wondering what those three letters actually mean.

Essentially, an ISP is your go-to retailer for signing up to NBN and broadband plans. If you’re wondering who your IDP is, and if it’s the best provider to be with, read on to find out everything you need to know about ISPs in Australia.

NBN offers you might like

Looking for a new NBN provider or plan to make the most of your ISP? Check out some of the providers and plans available in the table below. The table contains affiliate links.

• NBN Sponsored Plans
• NBN50 Plans
• NBN100 Plans

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..

Sponsored Products

Speedy 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $65.90) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps New customer discount! Save $20/mth on the Speedy NBN Plan for 6mths No lock-in contracts and 24/7 Technical Support. T&C’s Apply, offer ends 28/02/25.

Unlimited Data/month

$65.90 Cost/month

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Home Fast 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $69) Typical evening speed of 100Mbps Home Fast plan now $69 a month for 6 months when you BYO modem and have AGL energy. T&Cs apply, offer ends 3/02/25.

Unlimited Data/month

$69 Cost/month

Go to Site

nbn50 1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $63.90) Typical evening speed of 50Mbps Save $20/month for 12 months, plus save an extra $10/month When you bundle with Dodo Energy plans. T&Cs Apply T&C’s Apply, offer ends 28/01/25.

Unlimited Data/month

$63.90 Cost/month

Go to Site

View all nbn plans listed on Canstar Blue

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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.

What is an Internet Service Provider?

ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. An ISP is responsible for supplying internet connections to residential and commercial customers.

Examples of ISPs include companies such as Telstra, TPG, Aussie Broadband, Vodafone and Optus. This is not an exhaustive list, however, and there are many more providers to choose from. Our free internet comparison tool is a quick and easy way to compare internet offers and decide which provider might be the right fit for you.

What does an ISP do?

ISPs sell broadband plans to customers, although they may not necessarily own or build the networks or infrastructure that are used to deliver the service. This is why an ISP is different to a network technology owner, such as NBN or OptiComm. ISPs buy network access from these network technology owners, to then supply to customers.

An ISP may exclusively sell broadband products, or be a ‘full service’ telco by also offering mobile or home phone plans. Several Aussie energy companies have also expanded into the ISP space, including AGL and Origin.

Which is the best ISP in Australia?

The ‘best’ ISP is one that offers a plan that aligns with your needs, and therefore can’t be pinned down to a single provider. That’s why shopping around to see what is on offer from different retailers is always a good idea.

If you’re looking to compare ISPs, there are a few things that you should consider:

How much do the ISP’s plans cost?

One of the biggest factors is going to be the price tag attached to the plan. There are plenty of budget-friendly options out there, so make sure that the price you’re paying is reasonable for the services you receive. Consider speeds, inclusions and where the offer sits when compared with similar plans from different providers.

What are the ISP’s speeds?

The usage habits and needs of people in your household will determine the speed that you’ll need. It is important to match your plan’s download and upload speeds with your needs: this ensures you’ll be able to do everything you need to online without buffering, and can also prevent you from paying more for speeds you don’t really need.

What else is included?

Some providers will offer extra inclusions to sweeten the deal, including free modems, phone lines, static IP addresses and entertainment packages. However, plans with these inclusions tend to cost more than the bare bones options. so it is worth considering whether those perks and frills are really worth it. A plan with an included modem can be convenient if you’re in need of new hardware, but you can save money if you already have a compatible modem you can BYO.

How flexible is the ISP’s contract?

Although most ISPs offer flexible, no lock-in contracts that you can generally leave at any time, it is important to read the fine print before you sign up. Some providers will require you to stay for a minimum term, particularly if you have a modem included, and leaving before this term may result in a fee.

Compare NBN plans

If you haven’t yet signed up to an internet plan with an ISP, it’s likely you’ll be after an NBN plan. There are plenty of speeds, plans and providers to choose from. You’ll find a range of NBN plans and providers in the below table to compare.

Who is my ISP?

If you’re unsure who your current ISP is, there are a couple of ways to find out:

Search via a website

1. Open your browser
2. Search for an IP lookup tool (e.g. Router Network or Top10VPN?)
3. Your ISP will be displayed below your IP address

Check your bank statement

If you’re paying by direct debit, your ISP should be listed as a regular payment on your bank statement. You can check this in your banking app or via internet banking, or request a physical account statement from your financial institution.

Check your internet bill

Even if you have direct debit set up, your ISP may provide you with a bill via email, or a paper copy in the mail. Checking your internet bill should tell you not only your ISP, but also what type of internet plan (even including speed tier) you have, along with your usage details.

When should I contact my ISP?

If you’re having issues with your broadband or NBN connection, then your ISP will be the first port of call to see what’s going on. You should contact your ISP if:

• The speeds you are getting do not match the speeds you’re paying for (a free speed test tool is a great way of monitoring this!)
• You lose your internet connection for an extended period of time and can’t seem to resolve the issue yourself
• You want to make any changes to your plan, such as switching to a different plan or cancelling your service

Which ISP should I sign up with?

The first thing you need to consider is what you want to get out of your broadband plan. This may include the internet connection type (NBN, home wireless broadband, etc.), plan price, speeds, extras, customer service, and so on. Once you have established your priorities, use our comparison tool for a wide range of plans on offer from telcos in the market, all in one place!