Optus vs Telstra: Which is the best NBN provider?
Updated 20 August 2026. Plan prices on this page pull live from our database. Ratings are from 30 first-person reviewer ratings (Optus 13, Telstra 17).
Telstra is often seen as the premium choice, with customers consistently praising its reliability, particularly in rural areas, and improved customer service, though it comes at a higher price. Optus, on the other hand, offers competitive plans and an easy setup process, but reviews frequently mention concerns about price increases and inconsistent customer support. Ultimately, Telstra suits those prioritising stability and service, while Optus appeals to those looking for good value with straightforward connectivity.
Optus and Telstra 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 Telstra 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 | Telstra |
|---|---|---|
| About |
 |
 |
| 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. | Telstra is Australia's largest telco and broadband provider, with the widest fixed and mobile network reach in the country. It charges a premium over smaller providers but offers extensive coverage and extras like Fetch TV. The old BigPond brand has long since been retired. | |
| Go to Optus | Go to Telstra | |
| 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
Telstra has an overall rating of 4 out of 5 based on 17 reviews. Telstra 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. | 94% of people who have written reviews on this site would recommend Telstra 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. |
4.4 Telstra's reliability is rated as very good by our users. Telstra has an overall rating of 4.4 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. |
4.1 Telstra's customer service is rated as very good by our users. Telstra has an overall rating of 4.1 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. |
3.4 Telstra is rated as ok for value for money by our users. Telstra has an overall rating of 3.4 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. |
3.9 Telstra's technical support is rated as good by our users. Telstra has an overall rating of 3.9 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, Telstra 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. | Telstra uses call centres based in Australia, Philippines and India. |
| Services Offered | Optus offers a range of broadband and internet related services including internet plans. | Telstra offers a range of broadband and internet related services including internet plans. |
| Cost of 25Mbps NBN Plan with unlimited data |
Optus - Basic: 25Mbps, unlimited data for $83 per month. |
Telstra - Basic: 25Mbps, unlimited data for $89 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. |
Telstra - Basic 5G (5G): 22Mbps, unlimited data for $70 per month. |
| Contact Details |
Optus's phone number is: 1300 300 693 and website is: optus.com.au |
Telstra's phone number is: 13 22 00 and website is: telstra.com.au |
| Read Reviews | Read reviews of Optus. | Read reviews of Telstra. |
| Go to Optus | Go to Telstra |
Optus and Telstra NBN25 plans (25Mbps download speed)
|
Basic
NBN - Fixed Line
25 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$83/mth
$73 for first 12 months |
Go to site |
|
Basic
NBN - Fixed Line
25 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$89/mth | Go to site |
Optus and Telstra 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 Telstra Ultrafast plans (>100Mbps download speed)
|
|
Fast 500
NBN - Fixed Line
500 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$99/mth
$89 for first 12 months |
Go to site |
|
|
Premium
NBN - Fixed Line
500 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$99/mth | Go to site |
|
|
Ultimate
NBN - Fixed Line
750 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$119/mth
$104 for first 6 months |
Go to site |
|
|
Ultrafast
NBN - Fixed Line
820 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$129/mth
$119 for first 12 months |
Go to site |
|
|
Ultrafast
NBN - Fixed Line
875 Mb/s
Unlimited data
|
$129/mth
$104 for first 6 months |
Go to site |
Summary of Optus and Telstra 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 Telstra have pretty similiar ratings overall.
- Recommended: Telstra is more highly recommended than Optus.
- Reliability: Optus and Telstra have pretty similar ratings for reliability.
- Customer Service: Optus and Telstra have pretty similar ratings for customer service.
- Value for Money: Optus rates higher for value for money than Telstra does.
- Technical Support: Optus and Telstra have pretty similar ratings in terms of technical support.
How to decide between Optus and Telstra? - next steps
- Read reviews of Optus and Telstra to see what people think of these companies
- Visit the website of each company and do some of your own research - Optus and Telstra
- 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 Telstra
Is Optus better than Telstra?
On Oz Broadband Reviews Optus rates 4.1 out of 5 from 13 reviews and Telstra rates 4 from 17 reviews. On recommend-to-a-friend, 94% of Telstra reviewers said they'd recommend the provider, vs 77% for Optus. On individual metrics, Optus wins on value for money (3.8 vs 3.4). Read the full reviews above to form your own view.
Which is cheaper for NBN25, Optus or Telstra?
Optus's cheapest NBN25 plan is the Basic at $73/month intro for 12 months, then $83/month. Telstra's cheapest NBN25 plan is the Basic at $89/month ongoing. Optus is cheaper on the ongoing price after any intro period ends.
Which has better customer service, Optus or Telstra?
Optus and Telstra score similarly on customer service, 4.1 vs 4.1 out of 5. Neither stands out from the other on this metric. If onshore support matters, Optus's call centre is based in Australia, India and the Philippines and Telstra's is based in Australia, the Philippines and India.
What plans do Optus and Telstra offer?
Optus offers 5 wireless plans and 4 NBN plans. Telstra offers 4 NBN plans and 3 wireless plans. See the full plan tables above for prices, speeds and data limits.
Where are Optus and Telstra's call centres?
Optus's customer support is based in Australia, India and the Philippines. Telstra's customer support is based in Australia, the Philippines and India. Call centre location can affect support hours and accent comprehension if onshore support is important to you.
How do I switch from Optus to Telstra (or Telstra 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 Telstra
Everything is much the same.
Some issues with the connection dropping out but still overall the best priced connection!
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