How to Choose the Right NBN Plan for Your Needs

A practical guide to understanding NBN speed tiers and choosing the right internet plan for your household.

Category: Internet & Networking | Read time: 4 min | By Midland Computers

Understanding NBN Speed Tiers

NBN plans come in different speed tiers. Here's what they mean in practical terms:

NBN 25 (Basic Evening Speed: ~25 Mbps)

**Good for:** 1-2 people, basic browsing, email, social media

  • Can stream one video in HD
  • Suitable for light internet usage
  • Most affordable option

    • NBN 50 (Standard Evening Speed: ~50 Mbps)

    **Good for:** 2-3 people, regular streaming, working from home

  • Can stream 2-3 videos simultaneously in HD
  • Good for video calls and working from home
  • Most popular tier in Australia

    • NBN 100 (Fast Evening Speed: ~100 Mbps)

    **Good for:** 3-5 people, heavy streaming, gaming, large downloads

  • Can stream 4+ videos in HD/4K simultaneously
  • Great for gaming with low lag
  • Good for large file downloads and uploads
  • Works well for households with many connected devices

    • NBN 250 (Superfast Evening Speed: ~250 Mbps)

    **Good for:** Large households, 4K streaming, professional use

  • Multiple 4K streams at once
  • Very fast downloads and uploads
  • Ideal for content creators and heavy users
  • Only available on certain connection types (FTTP, HFC)

    • NBN 1000 (Ultrafast Evening Speed: ~250-1000 Mbps)

    **Good for:** Power users, home offices, tech enthusiasts

  • Maximum speeds available on NBN
  • Only available on FTTP connections
  • Overkill for most households

    • What Affects Your Actual Speed?

    Your NBN plan speed is the maximum, but several factors affect what you actually get:

  • **Connection type** - FTTP (fibre to the premises) is fastest and most reliable
  • **Time of day** - Evening speeds are typically slower due to network congestion
  • **Wi-Fi vs wired** - A direct ethernet cable is always faster than Wi-Fi
  • **Router quality** - An old or cheap router can bottleneck your speed
  • **Number of devices** - More connected devices means shared bandwidth
  • **Distance from router** - Wi-Fi signal weakens with distance

    • How to Check Your NBN Connection Type

  • Visit **nbnco.com.au/connect-home-or-business/check-your-address**
  • Enter your address
  • It will show your connection type (FTTP, FTTN, FTTC, HFC, Fixed Wireless, or Satellite)
    • Your connection type determines what speeds are available to you. FTTP offers the best speeds, while FTTN and Fixed Wireless may be limited.

    Choosing the Right Plan

    Consider These Questions

  • How many people use the internet at home?
  • Do you stream video (Netflix, YouTube, Stan)?
  • Does anyone work from home or do video calls?
  • Does anyone game online?
  • Do you download large files regularly?

    • Our Recommendations

    **Couples or singles with light use:**

    NBN 25 or NBN 50 - saves money if you don't stream much

    **Families with 2-4 people:**

    NBN 50 or NBN 100 - enough for streaming, homework, and browsing simultaneously

    **Large households or heavy users:**

    NBN 100 or NBN 250 - handles multiple 4K streams, gaming, and working from home

    **Home offices and content creators:**

    NBN 100 or above - reliable speeds for video conferencing and file transfers

    Tips for Getting the Best NBN Experience

    Upgrade Your Router

    If your router is more than 4-5 years old, it may be slowing you down. Look for a router that supports:

  • **Wi-Fi 6** (802.11ax) for the best wireless performance
  • **Gigabit ethernet ports** for wired connections
  • **Good coverage** for your home size

    • Use Ethernet Where Possible

    For devices that need reliable speed (desktop computers, gaming consoles, smart TVs), use an ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi.

    Consider a Mesh Wi-Fi System

    If you have Wi-Fi dead spots:

  • A mesh system uses multiple units placed around your home
  • They create a seamless Wi-Fi network with consistent coverage
  • Great for larger homes or multi-story houses

    • Monitor Your Usage

    Most internet providers have an app or portal where you can:

  • Check your current speed
  • See how much data you've used
  • Identify which devices are using the most bandwidth

    • **Need help with your internet setup?** Midland Computers can test your current speeds, recommend the right NBN plan, set up and configure routers, and install mesh Wi-Fi systems for complete home coverage. We serve the entire Perth metropolitan area.