Having a fast internet connection has become a necessity for every individual today in Australia. But with so many options available, it is difficult to choose one that will provide reliable speed on a suitable budget, even after conducting a thorough internet provider comparison. To help you out, let’s take a closer look at two of the most popular contenders for internet connectivity in Australia: Opticomm and NBN.
While NBN has been a household name for years, Opticomm is a comparatively new technology. Now, Internet providers in Australia offer both NBN and Opticomm for household internet connections. Hence, the decision depends on taking a closer look at which one will be better for you and your household’s unique needs. The following article discusses the differences between both internet connections to help you compare internet providers and make the right choice.
What is Opticomm?
Opticomm stands strong as one of the most popular contenders to the National Broadband Network (NBN). It uses Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Very-High-Bit-Rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL) as its physical infrastructure and is one of the fastest internet connections in the market today. Even though Opticomm may be new for you, it has actually been in the market for the past fourteen years and is a proven network that provides fast and reliable internet connection.
What is the National Broadband Network (NBN)?
NBN is Australia’s primary broadband internet connection that uses fibre optic cable to provide fast internet speeds. Earlier, the network used copper phone wires for internet connection. However, after the government-funded upgrade project, the network mostly uses fibre optic cable for greater reliability.
The Difference Between Opticomm and NBN:
One of the major differences between Opticomm and NBN is the ownership of the network. Opticomm is privately owned, whereas NBN is owned and maintained by the Australian government. Moreover, another thing to note here is that Opticomm depends majorly on FTTP connection whereas NBN is a mixed bag with FTTC, FTTB, HFC, FTTN, etc, depending on the premises.
Since NBN internet providers have different infrastructures, the speed of the internet connection will vary based on the technology used. At the same time, Opticomm almost always offers the fastest internet right now because it uses an FTTP connection.
Speed and Internet Plans Available with Opticomm:
Just like NBN, Opticomm also comes with internet plans with different speed tiers that range from 12 Mbps to 1000 Mbps. There are eight internet speeds:
- 12 Mbps download/1 Mbps upload
- 25 Mbps download/10 Mbps upload
- 50 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload
- 75 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload
- 100 Mbps download/12 Mbps upload
- 100 Mbps download/40 Mbps upload
- 250 Mbps download/50 Mbps upload
- Home Ultrafast – 100Mbps upload
Moreover, the prices of the plan start from $59 to $149 per month, and almost all the plans have unlimited data.
So, Which is Better: NBN or Opticomm?
There’s no simple answer to this question. Broadly speaking, Opticomm has a more reliable and consistent speed than NBN because it uses FTTP as its network infrastructure. On the other hand, in many areas, NBN may be using older technology, making the connection speed less consistent throughout Australia.
However, on the downside, Opticomm is a comparatively newer internet connection and may not be available in your area, while NBN has been here for years and is available in every corner of Australia. The ultimate decision boils down to you and the area you live in. If you want an Opticomm connection, you must contact your internet service provider to determine if the plans are available in your area. However, if Opticomm is unavailable, NBN is a solid alternative, serving Australians since 2009.
Conclusion
Finding a reliable internet connection is crucial in today’s fast-paced world because everything we do revolves around the speed of the connection. Starting from the work we do to ordering daily groceries, to keeping in touch with loved ones, so much of our lives depend on the internet. Fortunately, when it comes to Australian internet providers, NBN and Opticomm are two of the most reliable connections that have been serving Australians at affordable prices now for many years. Even though the speed and price of the plan may vary based on numerous factors, the reliability of the connections is never in question.
