If you're looking for a new NBN plan, you may also be looking for a new modem. While you may not need a new modem if you're switching NBN plans, upgrading to a newer model can result in a better experience.
With that in mind, many NBN providers effectively offer free modems when you sign up for one of their plans. There's some fine print to be mindful of, however. While these modems can be free, they typically require you to stay with your chosen provider for a set amount of time. Two years is pretty common, for example. If you leave before that time frame is up, you'll typically need to pay a prorated hardware fee.
In this guide, we've looked at NBN providers that offer free modems, and we've ordered them by the length of commitment you need to make the modem actually free.
Before we start, here are the cheapest NBN 50 plans from these providers:
Tangerine NBN plans with a free modem
Customers signing up to a Tangerine NBN 50 plan can currently add the NetComm CF40 WiFi 6 router for free. There aren't any repayments if you leave early; it's a free router. The catch is that is the NetComm CF40 is a very basic model - in our testing, we found the WiFi coverage offered was weak, so you'll want to get at least one extender for whole home WiFI. The other catch is that the router is only free if you select Tangerine's NBN 50 plan.
Here are all of Tangerine's NBN plans for reference:
iPrimus NBN plans with a free modem
iPrimus will throw in a Kaon DG2144 WiFi 6 modem with new NBN plans. The modem is free if you stay connected for 18 months. Otherwise, you'll pay a hardware fee equivalent to $10 multiplied by the number of months left in your term.
Here are iPrimus' NBN plans:
TPG NBN plans with a free modem
TPG NBN customers can add a WiFi 7 modem when signing up for a plan. This attracts a $10 delivery fee, but doesn't require any other upfront payment. You'll need to stay connected for 24 months to get the modem at no cost, or you'll have to pay a $200 fee if you don't return the modem when you TPG.
Here are TPG's NBN plans:
Superloop NBN plans with a free modem
Superloop currently offers new customers a free Amazon eero 7 router with NBN 500 plans and up. The catch is you'll need to stay with Superloop for 24 months. If you leave early, you'll pay $9 for each month left in your term. While you won't pay anything upfront for the eero 7 itself, you'll pay $20 in shipping.
Customers who opt for an NBN 2000 plan with Superloop will be offered a free eero Pro 7 instead. The early exit repayment on this is a little more expensive, and $8.25 per month for each month left in the three-year term.
Here are Superloop's NBN plans with a free modem:
iiNet NBN plans with a free modem
iiNet NBN customers can add its new WiFi 7 modem when signing up for a plan. This attracts a $10 delivery fee, but doesn't require any other upfront payment. You'll need to stay connected for 24 months to get the modem for free. Otherwise, you'll pay a $200 fee if you don't return the modem when you leave iiNet.
Here are iiNet's NBN plans:
Vodafone NBN plans with a free modem
When signing up for a Vodafone NBN plan, you'll get its new Super Wi-Fi Modem and a bundled mesh WiFi extender for $0 upfront. To get these for free, you'll need to stay with Vodafone for 24 months. If you leave before that time is up, you'll pay a hardware fee of $14 for each month left in your two-year term. The mesh extender attracts a separate fee of $6 for each month left in your two-year term.
Here are Vodafone's NBN plans:
Optus NBN plans with a free modem
All Optus NBN plans can be bundled with its second-generation Ultra WiFi modem with 4G backup and WiFi 6.
To get your modem for free, you need to stay connected to Optus for two years. If you leave within your first 24 months, you'll need to pay out a prorated hardware fee. This is equivalent to $12.75 per month left in your two-year term.
Here are Optus' NBN plans:
Telstra NBN plans with a free modem
Telstra's "Upfront" NBN plans come with the telco's new Smart Modem 4, with WiFi 7 and 5G backup. The modem doesn't cost anything upfront, but you'll need to return it if you leave within your first 24 months. If you fail to do so, Telstra will slug you with a $200 non-return fee.
Telstra also has "Internet Only" NBN plans that are a bit cheaper, but don't include a modem.
Here are Telstra's NBN plans that come with a modem:
These are the most popular NBN 50 plans with WhistleOut users this week:
Alex Choros
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