NBN plans with a free modem

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 28 January 2025

Contents

NBN providers that offer a free modem:

Tangerine
More
iPrimus
iiNet
Vodafone
Optus
Telstra

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:

#1	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom All Fixed Line nbn® Value Plus NBN 50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $64.90/month for first 6 months, then $89.90/month. $64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90 Go to Site	$64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90	Go to Site
#2	iiNet	iiNet All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Liimitless All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. Use code SAVE20FOR6 $69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone All Fixed Line nbn® Essential+ nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone. T&Cs apply. $94/mth Min. cost $94 Link not supplied	$94/mth Min. cost $94	Link not supplied
#4	Optus	Optus All Fixed Line nbn® Optus Everyday nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $82/mth for a year, then $97/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $388. Ends 6/10. $82/mth for first 12 months, then $97/mth or as notified Min. cost $82 Link not supplied	$82/mth for first 12 months, then $97/mth or as notified Min. cost $82	Link not supplied
#5	More	More All Fixed Line nbn® Value Plus NBN All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $75/mth for 36 months, then $90/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card $100/mth Min. cost $100 Link not supplied	$100/mth Min. cost $100	Link not supplied
#6	iPrimus	iPrimus All Fixed Line nbn® Standard Plus Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data $90/mth Min. cost $90 Link not supplied	$90/mth Min. cost $90	Link not supplied

Tangerine NBN plans with a free modem

Customers signing up to a Tangerine 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.

Here are Tangerine's NBN plans:

#1	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom All Fixed Line nbn® Value NBN 25/10 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 25/8.5 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $30/mth off for the first 6 mths, $42.90/month for first 6 months, then $72.90/month. Ends 30.10.26 $42.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $72.90/mth Min. cost $42.90 Go to Site	$42.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $72.90/mth Min. cost $42.90	Go to Site
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom FTTP, HFC Speedy Max NBN 500/50 FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42.5 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $33/mth off for the first 6 mths, $59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth. Ends 30.10.26 $59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Go to Site	$59.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $59.90	Go to Site
#3	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom All Fixed Line nbn® Value Plus NBN 50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $64.90/month for first 6 months, then $89.90/month. $64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90 Go to Site	$64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90	Go to Site
#4	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Speedy NBN 100/20 FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $67.90/mth for first 6 months, then $92.90/mth. $67.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $67.90 Go to Site	$67.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.90/mth Min. cost $67.90	Go to Site
#5	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Speedy Plus NBN 100/40 FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/34 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $73.90/month for first 6 months, then $98.90/month. $73.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $98.90/mth Min. cost $73.90 Go to Site	$73.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $98.90/mth Min. cost $73.90	Go to Site
#6	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom FTTP, HFC Ultraspeedy NBN 1000/100 FTTP, HFC nbn® 700/85 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $89.90/month for first 6 months, then $114.90/month. $89.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $114.90/mth Min. cost $89.90 Go to Site	$89.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $114.90/mth Min. cost $89.90	Go to Site

More NBN plans with a free modem

Tangerine's sibling brand More is also offering the NetComm CF40 WiFi 6 router for free to new customers who sign up for a plan. It's far from the best networking gear around, but free is free.

Here are More's NBN plans:

#1	More	More All Fixed Line nbn® Value NBN All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 25/8.5 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $55/mth for 36 months, then $70/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card $80/mth Min. cost $80 Link not supplied	$80/mth Min. cost $80	Link not supplied
#2	More	More All Fixed Line nbn® Value Plus NBN All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $75/mth for 36 months, then $90/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card $100/mth Min. cost $100 Link not supplied	$100/mth Min. cost $100	Link not supplied
#3	More	More FTTP, HFC Fast Max NBN FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42.5 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $80/mth for 36 months, then $95/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card $105/mth Min. cost $105 Link not supplied	$105/mth Min. cost $105	Link not supplied
#4	More	More FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Fast NBN FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $80/mth for 36 months, then $95/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card $105/mth Min. cost $105 Link not supplied	$105/mth Min. cost $105	Link not supplied
#5	More	More FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Fast Plus NBN FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/34 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $85/mth for 36 months, then $100/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card $110/mth Min. cost $110 Link not supplied	$110/mth Min. cost $110	Link not supplied
#6	More	More FTTP, HFC Ultrafast NBN FTTP, HFC nbn® 700/85 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $100/mth for 36 months, then $115/mth ongoing for CommBank customers who sign up using a CommBank credit or debit card $125/mth Min. cost $125 Link not supplied	$125/mth Min. cost $125	Link not supplied

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:

#1	iPrimus	iPrimus All Fixed Line nbn® Standard Plus Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data $90/mth Min. cost $90 Link not supplied	$90/mth Min. cost $90	Link not supplied
#2	iPrimus	iPrimus FTTP, HFC Premium Plus Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/47 Mbps Unlimited Data $100/mth Min. cost $100 Link not supplied	$100/mth Min. cost $100	Link not supplied
#3	iPrimus	iPrimus FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Premium Plan FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data $100/mth Min. cost $100 Link not supplied	$100/mth Min. cost $100	Link not supplied
#4	iPrimus	iPrimus FTTP, HFC Home Superfast Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 740/49 Mbps Unlimited Data $107/mth Min. cost $107 Link not supplied	$107/mth Min. cost $107	Link not supplied
#5	iPrimus	iPrimus FTTP, HFC Home Ultrafast Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 840/94 Mbps Unlimited Data $122/mth Min. cost $122 Link not supplied	$122/mth Min. cost $122	Link not supplied

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 prorated fee of $14 for each month left in your two-year term. Alternatively, you can return the modem when you leave iiNet.

Here are iiNet's NBN plans:

#1	iiNet	iiNet All Fixed Line nbn® nbn25 Liimitless All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 25/8 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 6 mths – $59.99/mth for first 6 months, then $79.99/mth. Use code SAVE20FOR6 $59.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $79.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Link not supplied	$59.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $79.99/mth Min. cost $69.99	Link not supplied
#2	iiNet	iiNet FTTP, HFC nbn500 Liimitless FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for 6 mths - $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $94.99/mth. Use code SAVE25FOR6 $69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#3	iiNet	iiNet FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn Home Fast Liimitless FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 99/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for 6 mths - $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $94.99/mth. Use code SAVE25FOR6 $69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#4	iiNet	iiNet All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Liimitless All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. Use code SAVE20FOR6 $69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#5	iiNet	iiNet FTTP, HFC nbn Home Superfast Liimitless FTTP, HFC nbn® 740/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $30/mth off for 6 mths - $74.99/mth for first 6 months, then $104.99/mth. Use code SAVE30FOR6 $74.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $104.99/mth Min. cost $84.99 Link not supplied	$74.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $104.99/mth Min. cost $84.99	Link not supplied
#6	iiNet	iiNet FTTP, HFC nbn Home Ultrafast Liimitless FTTP, HFC nbn® 850/85 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $30/mth off for 6 mths - $84.99/mth for first 6 months, then $114.99/mth. Use code SAVE30FOR6 $84.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $114.99/mth Min. cost $94.99 Link not supplied	$84.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $114.99/mth Min. cost $94.99	Link not supplied

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:

#1	Vodafone	Vodafone FTTP, HFC Home Fast+ nbn® FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 12 mths, then reverts to $99/mth + Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone $79/mth for first 12 mths, then $99/mth Min. cost $79 Link not supplied	$79/mth for first 12 mths, then $99/mth Min. cost $79	Link not supplied
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Home Fast nbn® FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 99/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 12 mths, then reverts to $99/mth + Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone $79/mth for first 12 mths, then $99/mth Min. cost $79 Link not supplied	$79/mth for first 12 mths, then $99/mth Min. cost $79	Link not supplied
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone FTTP, HFC Home Superfast nbn® FTTP, HFC nbn® 740/42 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth for 12 mths, then reverts to $104/mth + Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone $84/mth for first 12 mths, then $104/mth Min. cost $84 Link not supplied	$84/mth for first 12 mths, then $104/mth Min. cost $84	Link not supplied
#4	Vodafone	Vodafone All Fixed Line nbn® Essential nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 25/8 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone. T&Cs apply. $84/mth Min. cost $84 Link not supplied	$84/mth Min. cost $84	Link not supplied
#5	Vodafone	Vodafone FTTP, HFC Home Ultrafast nbn® FTTP, HFC nbn® 850/85 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth for 12 mths, then reverts to $114/mth + Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone $94/mth for first 12 mths, then $114/mth Min. cost $94 Link not supplied	$94/mth for first 12 mths, then $114/mth Min. cost $94	Link not supplied
#6	Vodafone	Vodafone All Fixed Line nbn® Essential+ nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone. T&Cs apply. $94/mth Min. cost $94 Link not supplied	$94/mth Min. cost $94	Link not supplied

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:

#1	Optus	Optus All Fixed Line nbn® Optus Basic nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 25/8 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $68/mth for a year, then $83/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $374. Ends 6/10. $68/mth for first 12 months, then $83/mth or as notified Min. cost $68 Link not supplied	$68/mth for first 12 months, then $83/mth or as notified Min. cost $68	Link not supplied
#2	Optus	Optus All Fixed Line nbn® Optus Everyday nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $82/mth for a year, then $97/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $388. Ends 6/10. $82/mth for first 12 months, then $97/mth or as notified Min. cost $82 Link not supplied	$82/mth for first 12 months, then $97/mth or as notified Min. cost $82	Link not supplied
#3	Optus	Optus FTTP, HFC Optus Fast nbn® FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/43 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $84/mth for a year, then $99/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $390. Ends 6/10. $84/mth for first 12 months, then $99/mth or as notified Min. cost $84 Link not supplied	$84/mth for first 12 months, then $99/mth or as notified Min. cost $84	Link not supplied
#4	Optus	Optus FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Optus Fast nbn® FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $84/mth for a year, then $99/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $390. Ends 6/10. $84/mth for first 12 months, then $99/mth or as notified Min. cost $84 Link not supplied	$84/mth for first 12 months, then $99/mth or as notified Min. cost $84	Link not supplied
#5	Optus	Optus FTTP, HFC Optus Ultrafast nbn® FTTP, HFC nbn® 820/85 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $114/mth for a year, then $129/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $420. Ends 6/10. $114/mth for first 12 months, then $129/mth or as notified Min. cost $114 Link not supplied	$114/mth for first 12 months, then $129/mth or as notified Min. cost $114	Link not supplied

Telstra NBN plans with a free modem

Telstra NBN all 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.

Here are Telstra's NBN plans:

#1	Telstra	Telstra All Fixed Line nbn® Basic Internet Only Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 25/4 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $89/mth Min. cost $44.50 Link not supplied	$89/mth Min. cost $44.50	Link not supplied
#2	Telstra	Telstra All Fixed Line nbn® Upfront Internet Plan Basic All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 25/4 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $97/mth Min. cost $48.50 Link not supplied	$97/mth Min. cost $48.50	Link not supplied
#3	Telstra	Telstra FTTP, HFC Premium Internet Only Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $99/mth Min. cost $49.50 Link not supplied	$99/mth Min. cost $49.50	Link not supplied
#4	Telstra	Telstra FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Premium Internet Only Plan FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $99/mth Min. cost $49.50 Link not supplied	$99/mth Min. cost $49.50	Link not supplied
#5	Telstra	Telstra FTTP, HFC Upfront Internet Plan Premium FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $113/mth Min. cost $56.50 Link not supplied	$113/mth Min. cost $56.50	Link not supplied
#6	Telstra	Telstra FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Upfront Internet Plan Premium FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $113/mth Min. cost $56.50 Link not supplied	$113/mth Min. cost $56.50	Link not supplied
#7	Telstra	Telstra FTTP, HFC Ultimate Internet Only Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 750/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $119/mth Min. cost $59.50 Link not supplied	$119/mth Min. cost $59.50	Link not supplied
#8	Telstra	Telstra FTTP, HFC Ultrafast Internet Only Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 815/80 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $129/mth Min. cost $64.50 Link not supplied	$129/mth Min. cost $64.50	Link not supplied
#9	Telstra	Telstra FTTP, HFC Upfront Internet Plan Ultimate FTTP, HFC nbn® 750/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $129/mth Min. cost $64.50 Link not supplied	$129/mth Min. cost $64.50	Link not supplied
#10	Telstra	Telstra FTTP, HFC Upfront Internet Plan Ultrafast FTTP, HFC nbn® 815/80 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $139/mth Min. cost $69.50 Link not supplied	$139/mth Min. cost $69.50	Link not supplied

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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