You might not know it, but Belong is quite literally budget Telstra. Australia's largest telco runs Belong as its discount mobile and broadband brand, and in many cases, undercuts its mainline Telstra products. If you're comparing NBN plans, Belong is easily more affordable than Big T.
But if you're hoping to get the most out of your NBN plan, you may be wondering how Belong's cheaper options stack up to what you'd get on Telstra itself. We've gone over how the pair compare on key aspects like speed, contracts, customer service, extras, and more.
In this guide:
Belong vs. Telstra: NBN plans at a glance
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Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
Link not supplied
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Belong vs. Telstra: Internet types available
Belong
Belong only sells NBN plans. It previously used to offer ADSL, but these have been discontinued. You can get Belong NBN plans on NBN 25, NBN 50, and NBN 100 speed tiers. Belong currently only offers NBN 100 plans to customers with a FTTP, HFC, or FTTC connection.
Here are Belong's NBN plans:
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Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
Link not supplied
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Telstra
Telstra offers NBN plans on NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100, NBN 250, and NBN 1000 speed tiers.
Here's Telstra's range of NBN plans:
If you're considering an NBN 250 or NBN 1000 plan, be aware that not everyone can get these: you need an FTTP or HFC NBN connection. All FTTP customers can get both NBN 250 and NBN 1000 plans. On the other hand, all HFC customers can now get NBN 250 plans but only around 60% can get NBN 1000 plans. This should rise to around 90% by the end of the year.
Telstra also has ADSL and Cable plans for those that haven't been connected to the NBN yet, and mobile broadband options. Telstra will also sell 5G home broadband, but this is currently only available on an invite-only basis.
Belong vs. Telstra: Typical evening speeds
Typical evening speeds refer to the download speeds you can expect during peak usage times on the NBN - between 7pm and 11pm.
Much in the same way that traffic on the road can slow down during peak hours, the NBN can too. And for pretty much the same reason. NBN connections tend to slow down in the evenings, when everyone in your neighbourhood is jumping online to stream, surf, download, and more. As such, a provider's evening speeds indicate how fast your connection will be at the times you use it most.
Here is how Belong and Telstra stack up against each other in terms of typical evening speeds on the NBN.
| NBN 12 | NBN 25 | NBN 50 | NBN 100 | NBN 250 | NBN 1000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belong | - | 25Mbps | 48Mbps | 95Mbps | - | - |
| Telstra | - | 25Mbps | 50Mbps | 100Mbps | 250Mbps | 700Mbps |
For comparison, here are the 10 fastest providers on NBN 100 plans.
Belong vs. Telstra: Data limits
Belong
All of Belong's NBN plans have unlimited data.
Telstra
All Telstra NBN plans also have unlimited data.
Belong vs. Telstra: Contracts
Belong
All of Belong's plans are available on a contract-free basis. You may have to pay $60 upfront to get a new modem, however. This is currently being waived for new customers.
Telstra
All of Telstra's NBN plans are contract-free. However, if you leave in your first 24 months, you'll need to pay a prorated modem fee. This is equivalent to $9 multiplied by the number of months left in your two-year term. If you've taken on any extras like a Telstra TV, you will also need to pay out its remaining value.
Belong vs. Telstra: Customer service
Belong
Belong online offers online customer service. If you need help, the telco will help you resolve your issue over email.
Telstra
Telstra support is available over the phone between 8am and 9pm AEDT, seven days a week. You can call 13 2000 to reach Telstra. Telstra also has web chat, and maintains an active and helpful social media presence on Facebook and Twitter.
Belong vs. Telstra: Extras
Belong
Belong NBN plans do not include any extras.
Telstra
Telstra NBN plans are packed with a few bonuses that might make them more appealing.
To start, all Telstra NBN plans come with the telco's second-generation Smart Modem with 4G backup. 4G connectivity can be called up before your NBN plan is connected and whenever there's a problem with your home internet connection. Backup connectivity is limited to maximum speeds of 25Mbps down, and 2Mbps up. Download speeds are equivalent to an NBN 25 connection - making Telstra's 4G backup the fastest around.
If you're a gamer, you can add Xbox All Access onto your Telstra NBN plan. Xbox All Access lets you pay off an Xbox Series S or Xbox Series X over a 24-month period rather than upfront, and includes Game Pass Ultimate.
Telstra is also currently offering customers a free three-month subscription to Binge.
Lastly, all Telstra customers get access to Telstra Plus, Telstra's perks program. Every dollar you spend with Telstra earns you points, which then be redeemed for gadgets or discounts on more expensive tech.
Alex Choros
Thousands of internet plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
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