Optus vs Exetel: Which is the best NBN provider?
Updated 19 August 2026. Plan prices on this page pull live from our database. Ratings are from 22 first-person reviewer ratings (Optus 13, Exetel 9).
Optus is a major telco offering a full suite of services, often praised by customers for reliable connections and easy setup, though price increases and customer service issues are recurring complaints. Exetel, on the other hand, is a more focused NBN provider known for its competitive pricing and straightforward plans. While Optus suits those wanting a comprehensive package, Exetel often appeals to users prioritising value and a no-frills internet experience.
NBN plans from $80/mth · Partner
Optus and Exetel are both reputable broadband internet providers in Australia.
Deciding which NBN or wireless internet company to sign up to is not an easy task. To make this process easier we have provided a side by side comparison of Optus and Exetel internet providers in the table below.
Disclaimer: All the data in the table is based on the opinions of people who have submitted reviews to this site over the last 24 months. We screen the reviews very thoroughly to ensure only accurate reviews get through. Please do your own research.
| Criteria | Optus | Exetel |
|---|---|---|
| About |
 |
 Partner |
| Optus is Australia's second-largest telco, owned by Singapore's Singtel. It sells nbn and 5G home internet, often bundled with mobile and entertainment, all backed by its own nationwide mobile network. | Exetel launched its first broadband service in 2004 and built a name as a low-cost, no-frills ISP. Since 2021 it has been owned by ASX-listed Superloop, which runs the network behind it, while Exetel continues as its own value-focused brand. | |
| Go to Optus | Go to Exetel | |
| Overall Rating |
4.1
Optus has a overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 based on 13 reviews. Optus is a very good broadband internet provider according to our users. |
4
Exetel has an overall rating of 4 out of 5 based on 9 reviews. Exetel is a very good broadband internet provider according to our users. |
| Recommended | 77% of people who have written reviews on this site would recommend Optus to their friends as a broadband internet provider. | 78% of people who have written reviews on this site would recommend Exetel to their friends as a broadband internet provider. |
| Reliability |
4.2 Optus's reliability is rated as very good by our users. Optus has an overall rating of 4.2 out of 5 for reliability. |
3.8 Exetel's reliability is rated as good by our users. Exetel has an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5 for reliability. |
| Customer Service |
4.1 Optus's customer service is rated as very good by our users. Optus has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 for customer service. |
4.3 Exetel's customer service is rated as very good by our users. Exetel has an overall rating of 4.3 out of 5 for customer service. |
| Value for Money |
3.8 Optus is rated as good for value for money by our users. Optus has an overall rating of 3.8 out of 5 for value for money. |
3.9 Exetel is rated as good for value for money by our users. Exetel has an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5 for value for money. |
| Technical Support |
4.1 Optus's technical support is rated as very good by our users. Optus has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 for technical support. |
4.1 Exetel's technical support is rated as very good by our users. Exetel has an overall rating of 4.1 out of 5 for technical support. |
| Australian based technical support | No, Optus uses a mix of Australian based and overseas call centres for technical support. | No, Exetel uses a mix of Australian based and overseas call centres for technical support. |
| Call Centre Location | Optus uses call centres based in Australia, India and Philippines. | Exetel uses call centres based in Australia and Sri Lanka. |
| Services Offered | Optus offers a range of broadband and internet related services including internet plans. | Exetel offers a range of broadband and internet related services including NBN and 5G internet plans. |
| Cost of 25Mbps NBN Plan with unlimited data |
Optus - Basic: 25Mbps, unlimited data for $83 per month. |
|
| Cost of 50Mbps NBN Plan with unlimited data |
Optus - Everyday: 50Mbps, unlimited data for $97 per month. |
|
| Cost of wireless broadband plan |
Optus - Everyday Basic 4G (4G): 14Mbps, unlimited data for $59 per month. |
|
| Contact Details |
Optus's phone number is: 1300 300 693 and website is: optus.com.au |
Exetel's phone number is: 13 39 38 and website is: exetel.com.au |
| Read Reviews | Read reviews of Optus. | Read reviews of Exetel. |
| Go to Optus | Go to Exetel |
Optus and Exetel NBN25 plans (25Mbps download speed)
|
Basic
NBN - Fixed Line
25 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$83/mth
$73 for first 12 months |
Go to site |
Optus and Exetel NBN50 plans (50Mbps download speed)
|
|
Everyday
NBN - Fixed Line
50 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$97/mth
$87 for first 12 months |
Go to site |
Optus and Exetel Ultrafast plans (>100Mbps download speed)
|
One Plan
NBN - Fixed Line
500 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$80/mth | Go to site |
|
|
Fast 500
NBN - Fixed Line
500 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$99/mth
$89 for first 12 months |
Go to site |
|
|
Ultrafast
NBN - Fixed Line
820 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$129/mth
$119 for first 12 months |
Go to site |
Summary of Optus and Exetel comparison
Please note that summary below is based on reviews submitted to this website and represents the views of the people who wrote the reviews.
- Overall: Optus and Exetel have pretty similiar ratings overall.
- Recommended: Optus and Exetel are recommended about the same.
- Reliability: Optus rates higher for reliability than Exetel does.
- Customer Service: Optus and Exetel have pretty similar ratings for customer service.
- Value for Money: Optus and Exetel have pretty similar ratings in terms of value for money.
- Technical Support: Optus and Exetel have pretty similar ratings in terms of technical support.
How to decide between Optus and Exetel? - next steps
- Read reviews of Optus and Exetel to see what people think of these companies
- Visit the website of each company and do some of your own research - Optus and Exetel
- Decide how fast your connection need to be and how much data you need then use our broadband plan finder to narrow down the list of plans and find the best plan that suits your budget
- Choose the plan that best suits your needs and budget. Remember, that you can easily change plans but changing broadband internet providers is more difficult so it is really important that you choose a solid internet provider.
Frequently asked questions about Optus vs Exetel
Is Optus better than Exetel?
On Oz Broadband Reviews Optus rates 4.1 out of 5 from 13 reviews and Exetel rates 4 from 9 reviews. On individual metrics, Optus wins on reliability (4.2 vs 3.8). Read the full reviews above to form your own view.
Which has better customer service, Optus or Exetel?
Exetel scores 4.3 out of 5 on customer service vs Optus's 4.1, based on verified reviews on Oz Broadband Reviews. If onshore support matters, Optus's call centre is based in Australia, India and the Philippines and Exetel's is based in Australia and Sri Lanka.
What plans do Optus and Exetel offer?
Optus offers 5 wireless plans and 4 NBN plans. Exetel offers 1 NBN plan. See the full plan tables above for prices, speeds and data limits.
Where are Optus and Exetel's call centres?
Optus's customer support is based in Australia, India and the Philippines. Exetel's customer support is based in Australia and Sri Lanka. Call centre location can affect support hours and accent comprehension if onshore support is important to you.
How do I switch from Optus to Exetel (or Exetel to Optus)?
Switching NBN providers in Australia is straightforward. The new provider handles the transfer once you sign up and provide your address. There's usually no contract overlap if your current plan is month-to-month, but check for early termination fees on contracted plans. Phone numbers can usually be ported, and the service typically continues uninterrupted on the same NBN line.
What customers say
About Optus
When reaching out for actual tech support, they'll treat you like you know nothing and make you go through the whole rigmarole of rudimentary…
Occasional drop outs quite annoying. Pricing is making us consider another provider on the telco network
About Exetel
There isn't a lot of competition out there, so most plans are about the same price. The port over was quick, and the connection is good. It has…
Price has gone up, reliability has gone down.
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