Ruqayyah Snyder
ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) is a type of broadband connection that uses copper wire to transmit data from a box to your device. While ADSL technology was once the best option for internet connectivity in Australia, it has since been replaced by the National Broadband Network (NBN). NBN offers faster internet connections, with download speeds of up to 1000 Mbps compared to ADSL's maximum of 24 Mbps. Today, a good internet speed in Australia is considered to be at least 25 Mbps for activities like HD video streaming, online gaming, browsing, and video conferencing. However, the definition of good internet speed depends on the user's needs, with larger households or businesses requiring higher speeds.
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ADSL vs NBN
ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) is a type of broadband connection that uses copper wire to transmit data from a box to a device. It was the main type of internet connection in Australia in the early 2000s, offering download speeds of around 256Kbps. Over the next decade, the technology developed through ADSL2 to ADSL2+, which offered speeds of around 24Mbps.
The NBN (National Broadband Network) is a nationwide infrastructure network that provides households with access to the internet. It was introduced as a replacement for ADSL and uses optical fibre instead of copper wire to transmit data. The NBN rollout process replaced ADSL connections, which are no longer widely available in Australia. NBN is typically faster than ADSL, reaching speeds of up to 1000Mbps. There are a range of NBN alternatives available, including home wireless broadband, mobile broadband, private fibre and satellite.
ADSL plans used to be cheaper, with prices ranging from $30 to $40 per month. However, heavy market competition in the NBN space means that ADSL plans are now often more expensive, ranging from $60 to $100 a month. In comparison, a comparable speed NBN plan (25Mbps) costs $50-70 per month.
The "good" internet speed depends on your household or business needs. Generally, a download speed of 25Mbps is considered a good baseline in Australia, supporting activities like HD video streaming, online gaming, browsing, and video conferencing. The NBN offers six speed tiers, each catering to different usage levels:
- NBN 12 (Basic I): 12Mbps download/1Mbps upload – suitable for 1-2 people with light internet use (emails, browsing)
- NBN 25 (Basic II): 25Mbps download/5Mbps upload – ideal for smaller households with moderate web browsing, SD video streaming, and music
- NBN 50 (Standard): 50Mbps download/20Mbps upload – ideal for 3-4 people, supporting HD streaming, gaming, and video calls
- NBN 100: 100Mbps
- NBN 250
- NBN 1000: the best option for intensive internet users
The most popular speed tier in Australia is NBN 50, which has a maximum download speed of 50Mbps. About 43% of residential NBN services have this connection.
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NBN speed tiers
The National Broadband Network (NBN) offers several speed tiers, each catering to different usage levels. The "evening speeds" term was introduced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to ensure that internet service providers (ISPs) are transparent about NBN speeds, making it easier for consumers to compare and select the right speed tier for their needs.
NBN 12
NBN 12 is the most basic speed tier, suitable for 1-2 people with light internet use, such as checking emails and browsing. It offers download speeds of up to 12 Mbps and upload speeds of 1 Mbps. NBN 12 plans are the cheapest and closest to the old ADSL connection in terms of speed and usage.
NBN 25
NBN 25 is ideal for smaller households with moderate web browsing, SD video streaming, and music streaming needs. It provides download speeds of up to 25 Mbps and upload speeds of 5 Mbps. NBN 25 can support basic online gaming and HD streaming for light to moderate internet users.
NBN 50
NBN 50 is the most popular speed tier in Australia and is considered the "just right" speed for most families and heavier streamers. It offers download speeds of up to 50 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 Mbps. This speed tier can support HD streaming, gaming, and video calls for 3-4 people.
NBN 100
NBN 100 is suitable for large households and anyone who regularly downloads or uploads large files, including people working from home. It offers download speeds of up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds of 20 or 40 Mbps, depending on the plan. NBN 100 plans provide faster downloads and uploads, improving the online experience for larger households or those with high usage.
NBN 250
NBN 250 is one of the faster NBN plans, offering speeds of up to 250 Mbps for downloads and 25 Mbps for uploads. This speed tier is ideal for users who want to push their internet connection to its limits or even for small businesses.
NBN 1000
NBN 1000 is the fastest NBN speed tier available and is considered a luxury. It offers dramatically faster download speeds, improving the experience for intensive internet users, especially those downloading large files. However, it may not significantly enhance streaming performance.
The speed tier that is "good" depends on individual needs and usage patterns. Factors such as the number of people and devices in a household, the time of day, and the type of online activities can impact the ideal NBN speed tier for a user.
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Typical evening speeds
The term 'typical evening speeds' refers to the average speeds during evening peak times, between 7 pm and 11 pm, when there is more congestion on the network. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) introduced the term to ensure that internet service providers (ISPs) are transparent about NBN speeds, allowing consumers to compare and select the right speed tier for their needs.
The 'typical evening speed' listed on a specific plan may be less than its maximum download speed. The ACCC offers a guide for the evening speeds that can usually be expected on different speed tiers, helping users identify if their NBN plan is underperforming. When choosing an NBN plan, the 'typical evening speeds' advertised by the provider is the best way to determine how fast a plan actually is.
The NBN offers six speed tiers, each catering to different usage levels. The NBN 12 speed tier is the most basic, with download speeds of 12 Mbps and supporting light internet use such as emails and browsing for 1-2 people. The NBN 25 speed tier offers a download speed of 25 Mbps, ideal for smaller households with moderate web browsing, SD video streaming, and music. The NBN 50 speed tier is the most popular speed in Australia, with download speeds of around 50 Mbps, supporting HD streaming, gaming, and video calls for 3-4 people. Higher speed tiers include NBN 100, NBN 250, and NBN 1000, which offers the fastest speed on the NBN.
While ADSL is still available in Australia, it is increasingly rare as NBN plans offer faster, more reliable, and affordable internet connections. The quickest ADSL plan, ADSL2+, provides speeds of around 24 Mbps, while NBN plans offer a top download speed of 1000 Mbps.
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ADSL2+ speeds
ADSL2+ was the most basic type of broadband connection available in Australia, delivering internet over the same copper wiring used for phone lines. The maximum theoretical speeds for ADSL2+ are 24Mbps for download and 1Mbps for upload. However, actual internet speeds were determined by various factors, such as the distance from the local exchange, the state of the copper wiring, the number of other services in the area, and electrical interference. ADSL2+ was typically only available in well-populated areas, and Australians outside of these areas were limited to slower ADSL1 speeds.
The National Broadband Network (NBN) was designed to replace ADSL2+ connections, offering faster and more reliable speeds. NBN provides differentiated speed tiers catering to different usage levels. The NBN 12 speed tier is considered the basic option, suitable for 1-2 people with light internet use such as emails and web browsing. NBN 25 offers a slight upgrade for small households with moderate web browsing and SD video streaming needs.
For more intensive internet usage, the NBN 50 speed tier is a popular choice, providing sufficient speeds for HD video streaming, online gaming, and video calls. This speed tier is ideal for 3-4 people and strikes a balance between performance and price. Higher speed tiers, such as NBN 100 and NBN 1000, are available for larger households, gamers, or small businesses that require enhanced performance.
Ultimately, a "good" internet speed depends on the specific needs and usage patterns of a household or business. While 25Mbps is considered a good baseline for most activities, higher speeds can significantly improve performance, especially for more demanding tasks or multiple users.
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NBN availability
The National Broadband Network (NBN) is available to most Australians, with the rollout of the network almost complete. You can check if NBN is available in your area by using an NBN address checker.
If you are looking to connect your business premises to the NBN, Sky Muster and Sky Muster Plus are subject to eligibility criteria. Medium to large business premises are not serviced by these products and instead can access the NBN Satellite Service.
The NBN website provides a rollout map that indicates whether the network is available in your building. If it is not, you can expect to receive more information about the availability and technology in your area soon. In some cases, additional work may need to be completed before you can connect to the NBN network.
NBN plans offer differentiated speed tiers, with the NBN 50 speed tier being the most popular in Australia. This speed tier provides download speeds of around 50Mbps, which is generally considered 'good'. It is enough for web browsing, social media, and video streaming at a high standard.
The NBN 12 and NBN 25 speed tiers are also available and may be better suited to seniors or small households with basic internet needs, such as checking emails and web browsing.
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Frequently asked questions
ADSL technology has been largely replaced by the National Broadband Network (NBN) in Australia, so specific information on ADSL speeds is hard to come by. However, the ADSL2+ plan was the fastest ADSL option, providing speeds of around 24 Mbps.
A good internet speed depends on your needs. A download speed of 25 Mbps is considered a good baseline for activities like HD video streaming, online gaming, browsing, and video conferencing. The NBN 50 speed tier is the most popular speed in Australia, so download speeds of around 50Mbps can generally be considered ‘good’.
The NBN offers six speed tiers catering to different usage levels. Here is a breakdown of the speed tiers and their suitable usage:
- NBN 12 (Basic I): 12 Mbps download / 1 Mbps upload – Suitable for 1-2 people with light internet use (emails, browsing).
- NBN 25 (Basic II): 25 Mbps download / 5 Mbps upload – Ideal for smaller households with moderate web browsing, SD video streaming, and music.
- NBN 50 (Standard): 50 Mbps download / 20 Mbps upload – Ideal for 3-4 people, supporting HD streaming, gaming, and video calls.
- NBN 100 and faster: Suitable for larger households, gamers, or small businesses.
