Telstra is one of several big players in the NBN field, but they also have their eyes set on being the player to beat. Earlier we saw the targeted approach to 5G home broadband offerings, but there’s more to the story with improved fixed broadband offerings.
What’s happening?
Telstra are set to introduce a number of new features for fixed broadband customers starting with “Superfast” and “Ultrafast” add-ons.
That’s why we’re introducing Superfast and Ultrafast add-ons for our nbn™ 100 Premium Internet customers on eligible technology types. These add-ons are a huge leap over the fastest plans we’ve offered before – a big video game download can happen in an hour rather than hours, all while someone else in your house is watching Netflix on their phone, while someone else is on FaceTime in the other room, and someone else is fighting away in-game on the couch.
Let’s dispense with the marketing talk and look at the clear facts. To take advantage of these add-on offerings, you’ll need to be on the NBN 100 premium plan — via HFC or FTTP — and of course pay a premium for the speed.
- Superfast offers typical evening speed of 215Mbps at a $30 per month premium
- Ultrafast offers typical evening speed of 250Mbps at a $70 per month premium
Telstra note that these typical speeds are only an indicative marker until they have a better data set to be more accurate with their claims. Based on this, it would be safe to assume that Telstra has been somewhat conservative with their speed claims.
FTTC, FTTN and FTTB can once again — conditions apply — access NBN 100 plans
Earlier in the year, Telstra paused sales of these plans to some connection types primarily based around the physical network capacity to deliver full speed across those connection types. With a significant body of work now complete around this, Telstra are offering a form of service guarantee to customers:
We’ve upgraded our systems and set up processes that put customers first, and we’re now confident we can provide a better all-round experience for Aussies. If a customer on FTTN, FTTB or FTTC can’t reach the maximum speeds of the Premium Internet plan or Premium Add-on, we’ll let them know and provide them with options in accordance with our regulatory commitments.
With so much happening in the NBN service delivery space and our data needs increasing, will you be taking advantage of the add-on packages to improve your Internet speeds?
And then there’s those of us stuck on Telstra Velocity!
Phil, can you please get a more recent cover photo for the article?
At the latest, the cover photo on this article dates to sometime in the lead up to Christmas 2015, as there’s none of the Dick Smith Electronics Closing Down Sale signage that went up in Feb 2016.
Is this headline right for this story? Did I miss the piece that was going to say that “Telstra’s NBN offerings are set to get better with no extra cost to consumers”? The only thing I see mentioned is the ability to pay more for more speed, no?
You overlooked a crucial detail, Philip.
To be able to pay Telstra more, for more speed, you have to already be on the correct connection type (FTTP, or HFC), and already be on the fastest Telstra speed plan available (NBN 100 premium plan).
So if you can’t get FTTP or HFC, and get on an NBN 100 premium plan, you’re stuffed before you can start.
I am with you Phillip – there is no content about how you get higher speed at ‘no extra cost’. I re-read it twice but I am sure it’s just not there.
Was thinking the exact same thing, feels extremely misleading.