One of the perks of going with an NBN provider that offers a networking device – either bundled or bought outright with your NBN plan – is the all-important internet device arrives preconfigured. Effectively, you don't have to worry about tweaking any settings because it should just be plug and play. While that's great if you stick with your NBN provider forever, there are savings to be found by switching NBN providers (ideally, every six months).
If you do switch NBN providers and bring your own router, modem-router, or mesh WiFi system, you may have issues getting online even after factory resetting your networking gear. That's because there are two main types of networking protocols used by NBN providers in Australia: IPoE and PPPoE.
IPoE vs. PPPoE: What do these network protocols mean?
There's a lot of networking jargon that impacts your internet connection that really isn't worth understanding. But understanding the two different network protocols is important if you want to take your modem-router, router, or mesh WiFi system to a new NBN provider.
What is IPoE?
Let's start with the 'better' network protocol. Internet Protocol over Ethernet (IPoE) is also sometimes called Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Whichever name it uses, any NBN provider that uses IPoE/DHCP is more convenient because they don't require their customers to input a username and password to get online. Practically speaking, people with an IPoE NBN provider can likely get away with just power cycling their NBN connection box to get online.
What is PPPoE?
PPPoE stands for Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet. PPPoE needs a username and a password to get online. Those connected to a PPPoE NBN provider will have to input a username and password, either via a companion app or by finding the relevant fields in a browser-based web portal.
Unfortunately, not all networking gear has a straightforward way to update a username and password. Some, like the Optus Ultra Wi-Fi Gen 2 modem-router, doesn't have any way to add a username and password, meaning it can only be used with IPoE NBN providers if you leave Optus.
IPoE NBN providers
Of the 20 plus NBN providers in our comparison engine, most use IPoE network protocols, albeit with some disclaimers (flagged where relevant below):
- amaysim
- Aussie Broadband
- Belong
- Buddy Telco
- Dodo
- Exetel (older customers may have PPPoE connections)
- MATE
- More
- Optus
- Origin Broadband
- Southern Phone (PPPoE for FTTN and FTTB users)
- SpinTel
- Superloop
- Swoop (also offers "Flexible PPPoE")
- Tangerine (older customers may have PPPoE connections)
- Telstra
If you like the sound of zero-credentials NBN providers, here's a list of popular plans from these providers.
|
#1
|
Dodo
FTTP, HFC
Editor's Pick
nbn500 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
Min. cost $62.99
|
|
#2
|
Tangerine Telecom
FTTP, HFC
Speedy Max NBN 500/50
$59.90/mth
Min. cost $59.90
|
|
#3
|
Superloop
FTTP, HFC
Family Max nbn500/50
$74/mth
Min. cost $74
|
|
#4
|
amaysim
FTTP, HFC
NBN500
$50/mth
Min. cost $50
|
|
#5
|
SpinTel
FTTP, HFC
Home Turbofast 750/50
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
|
|
#6
|
Exetel
FTTP, HFC
One Plan 500/50
$80/mth
Min. cost $80
|
PPPoE NBN providers
While it's less popular these days, there are still several NBN providers we track in our database that use PPPoE:
- AGL
- Flip
- iiNet (older customers may have IPoE connections)
- iPrimus
- Kogan Internet (older customers may have IPoE connections)
- Moose NBN
- TPG
- Vodafone
Generally speaking, your welcome email should include a username and give you the option to create a password (if a default one isn't provided). AGL users should use their internet account number for their PPPoE username and password. Moose NBN customers can use their account number followed by '@moosemobile.com.au', and the default password is 'moose[year of birth]'. For Vodafone, your username is your contact email address and a user-selected password. If you have any questions about your username and password, reach out to your NBN provider.
If you don't mind inputting a username and password for BYO networking gear, here are some popular plans from the PPPoE NBN providers in our database.
|
#1
|
TPG
FTTP, HFC
nbn Home Fast Unlimited Plan
$74.99/mth
Min. cost $74.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
iiNet
FTTP, HFC
nbn500 Liimitless
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Kogan Internet
FTTP, HFC
Gold Plus Unlimited
$69.90/mth
Min. cost $69.90
|
|
#4
|
Flip
FTTP, HFC
Unlimited Fast Speed nbn500
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
|
|
#5
|
Moose NBN
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn 50/20 Premium
$59.80/mth
Min. cost $59.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Vodafone
All Fixed Line nbn®
Essential+ nbn®
$94/mth
Min. cost $94
Link not supplied
|
PPPoE vs. IPoE FAQs
Should I use IPoE or PPPoE?
Where possible, we advise going with an IPoE NBN provider over a PPPoE one because it's more straightforward to get online if you don't have to input a username and password.
Is NBN PPPoE or IPoE?
Your NBN connection will either be PPPoE or IPoE, depending on which provider you're with. Most NBN providers use zero-credentials IPoE, while others use credentials-required PPPoE.
When should you use PPPoE?
You should only use PPPoE settings in your router, modem-router, or mesh WiFi system if your NBN provider requires a username and password to get online. If they don't, ignore any PPPoE settings and select IPoE or DHCP instead.
Nathan Lawrence
Freelance Contributor
Find a better internet plan
Thousands of internet plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
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![[Hand-Picked] Best internet providers in Australia](https://r3.whistleout.com.au/public/images/articles/2026/07/man-and-woman-with-laptop-on-green-couch.jpg?w=280&h=280&usm=20&usmrad=0.8&fit=crop "[Hand-Picked] Best internet providers in Australia")
