No one likes to be locked into a service. What if you have to move? What if it just plain sucks? And another good question, what would it cost if you do have to leave suddenly?
When you consider how fickle internet plans can be, opting for a no-contract plan is the safest choice. Luckily, no lock-in contract NBN plans are more prominent than their contracted counterparts these days. Practically every NBN provider now offers contract-free plans but some do have catches.
The benefits of contract-free NBN plans
- No obligation to stay with a provider if they underperform
- Cheaper in the long run
- Save on set-up fees and modem costs
Having the freedom to leave a provider whenever you want doesn’t really have any downsides; ultimately it gives power back to the customer. If you’re not happy with the service you're getting, you can simply switch internet providers. If you find a cheaper internet plan, you can say goodbye. If your current telco doesn’t troubleshoot well enough, then you have the freedom to find someone who does. If anything, no-contract NBN plans force telcos to perform better to encourage you to stay longer.
Cheap contract-free NBN plans
In the spirit of saving money, below are the cheapest contract-free NBN plans available in our database from NBN 25 all the way through to NBN 1000. Each plan below comes with no set-up fees and lets you bring your own modem.
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Are Telstra NBN plans contract-free?
All Telstra NBN plans are technically contract-free, it offers a BYO-modem Internet Only plan option and plans which include Telstra’s latest smart modem.
If you stay with the telco for 24 months you won’t pay a cent for it. However, if you decide to leave before those 24 months are up, you’ll either need to return it to the provider or pay the $200 non-return fee to keep the modem.
The real kicker is Telstra’s modem is locked and won't necessarily work with another provider. 4G backup and calling certainly won't so even after that so you may need a new modem anyway.
Are Optus NBN plans contract-free?
All of Optus' NBN plans come contract-free, though you are still liable to pay out your modem, and potentially WiFi Booster costs, if you leave before 24 months is up.
Each Optus plan comes with the Optus Ultra WiFi Modem Gen 2 (RRP of $306) included for free, but technically Optus covers a payment of $12.75 per month over the 24 months you're connected. If you leave before that you’ll need to pay $12.75 multiplied by the months remaining in the term.
Optus’ modem also might not work with other NBN providers, meaning you may not be able to reconfigure it if you switch providers after your 24 months are up or pay it off. In addition, the Optus NBN modem can't be used for phone calls with other NBN providers, and 4G backup will not work if you leave Optus.
Are TPG NBN plans contract-free?
TPG has several contract-free options. You can BYO modem or you can get a high-speed WiFi 7 modem (with a $10 delivery fee). If you stay connected for 24 months you'll keep the modem if you leave earlier you'll need to return it or pay a $200 non-return fee.
FAQs
Can I get WiFi without a contract?
Yes, you can get WiFi/an NBN plan without having to lock yourself into a contract. There are plenty of internet providers offering contract-free plans, simply check the Ts and Cs of the one you wish to sign up for or check if the website mentions 'no lock-in contracts' across the board.
What other ways could I be 'locked' into a no-contract NBN plan?
Aside from being convinced into staying with a specific NBN plan through modem repayments, you could also be subject to set-up fees, or you may be sweet-talked into staying for perks like reward points, bundling discounts for electricity, gas or mobile or discounted access to streaming services
Anula Wiwatowska
Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram
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