Exetel reclaims top spot as fastest NBN provider

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 27 March 2024

The ACCC has released its 24th Measuring Broadband Australia report, and Exetel has managed to reclaim first place from Launtel. The report found Exetel customers receive 101.8% of their NBN plan's maximum speeds during the busiest hours of the day (between 7pm and 11pm).

Telstra was a hair behind in second place, with its customers found to get 101.7% of plan speeds during busy hours. Optus followed in third, with 101.4%.

The report covers now 12 telcos in an attempt to find the fastest NBN provider. This time around, the report now includes Leaptel. Other telcos featured include Aussie Broadband, Dodo, Exetel, iiNet, iPrimus, Launtel, Optus, Telstra, TPG, Superloop, and Vodafone.

Here's the full breakdown of how they all performed:

Average percent of max. download speed

Provider	Peak hours	Overall	Overall excluding underperforming connections
Aussie Broadband	98.3	99.1	102.4
Dodo	100.2	101.3	102.8
Exetel	101.8	102.8	104.4
iiNet	98.9	99.7	101.8
iPrimus	100.2	101.3	101.3
Launtel	99.1	100.6	102.5
Leaptel	98.4	99.6	101.7
Optus	101.4	102.5	103.6
Superloop	98.6	99.4	101.0
Telstra	101.7	102.8	104.5
TPG	99.0	100	102.4
Vodafone	96.3	98.0	99.2

The report also found that busy hour speeds for fixed-line NBN faster yet again. Customers achieved 99.3% of their plans' download speeds, up from 98.8% last quarter.

In addition, NBN 1000 plan speeds improved significantly, largely thanks to changes in NBN Co's wholesale pricing. The ACCC found that NBN 1000 plans achieved average hourly speeds of between 818Mbps and 851Mbps during the day in December last year, compared to between 688 and 851Mbps in September.

This is primarily because capacity-based pricing was eliminated on NBN 100 plans and up, making it easier for NBN providers to meet demand during busy hours.

Compare NBN 50, NBN 100, NBN 250, and NBN 1000 plans from the providers in this report:

#1	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo All Fixed Line nbn® Editor's Pick nbn50 Unlimited Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $87.99/mth. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply. $57.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $87.99/mth Min. cost $57.99 Go to Site*	$57.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $87.99/mth Min. cost $57.99	Go to Site
#2	Superloop	Superloop All Fixed Line nbn® Extra-value nbn50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 6 months! $69/mth for 6 mths, then $89/mth + Bundle & Save $69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#3	TPG	TPG All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Unlimited Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. T&Cs apply. $69.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $69.99	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	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband All Fixed Line nbn® Value nbn - Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 47/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25 off for the first 6 months. Promo code SPRING25. $95/mth after promo ends 15.11.26 $70/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $70 Link not supplied	$70/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $70	Link not supplied
#6	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
#7	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
#8	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

#1	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Editor's Pick nbn100 Unlimited Plan FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $92.99/mth. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply. $62.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.99/mth Min. cost $62.99 Go to Site*	$62.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $92.99/mth Min. cost $62.99	Go to Site
#2	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
#3	Superloop	Superloop FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Family nbn100/20 FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 95/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $21/mth off 6 months! $74/mth for 6 mths, then $95/mth + Bundle & Save $74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74 Go to Site	$74/mth for first 6 mths, then $95/mth Min. cost $74	Go to Site
#4	TPG	TPG FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn Home Fast Unlimited Plan FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 99/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $240 over 12mths! $74.99/mth for first 12 months, then $94.99/mth. Min cost $84.99 if modem returned. T&Cs apply $74.99/mth for first 12 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $74.99 Link not supplied	$74.99/mth for first 12 mths, then $94.99/mth Min. cost $74.99	Link not supplied
#5	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
#6	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Fast nbn - Unlimited FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 94/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20 off for the first 6 months. Promo code SPRING20. $99/mth after promo ends 15.11.26 $79/mth for first 6 months, then $99/mth Min. cost $79 Link not supplied	$79/mth for first 6 months, then $99/mth Min. cost $79	Link not supplied
#7	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
#8	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
#9	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

FTTP, HFC

Creator nbn250/100

FTTP, HFC

nbn® 250/85 Mbps
Unlimited Data
Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 6 mths! $82/mth for 6 mths, then $102/mth + Free eero 7 modem when you stay for 24 mths + Bundle & Save

$82/mth

Min. cost $82

Go to Site

$82/mth

Min. cost $82

Go to Site

FTTP

Super-Fast Pro nbn - Unlimited

FTTP

nbn® 250/89 Mbps
Unlimited Data

$114/mth

Min. cost $114

Link not supplied

$114/mth

Min. cost $114

Link not supplied

#1	Dodo	Dodo FTTP, HFC nbn Home Ultrafast Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 800/92 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $109.99/mth. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply $79.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $109.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Go to Site*	$79.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $109.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Go to Site
#2	TPG	TPG FTTP, HFC nbn Home Ultrafast Unlimited Plan FTTP, HFC nbn® 850/85 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $84.99/mth for first 6 months, then $114.99/mth. T&Cs apply. $84.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $114.99/mth Min. cost $84.99 Link not supplied	$84.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $114.99/mth Min. cost $84.99	Link not supplied
#3	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
#4	Superloop	Superloop FTTP, HFC Lightspeed nbn1000/100 FTTP, HFC nbn® 860/85 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $25/mth off for 6 mths! $89/mth for 6 mths, then $114/mth + Free eero 7 modem when you stay for 24 mths + Bundle & Save $89/mth for first 6 mths, then $114/mth Min. cost $89 Go to Site	$89/mth for first 6 mths, then $114/mth Min. cost $89	Go to Site
#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	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
#7	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
#8	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband FTTP, HFC Ultrafast Fibre - Unlimited FTTP, HFC nbn® 875/92 Mbps Unlimited Data $129/mth Min. cost $129 Link not supplied	$129/mth Min. cost $129	Link not supplied
#9	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

The Measuring Broadband Report also includes fixed wireless NBN plans, which saw a slight improvement this quarter. Busy hour download speeds were 97.9% of plan speeds, compared to 89.5% in the previous report.

As always, it's worth remembering the scale of the ACCC's testing. The results come from a month-long testing period during December last year across 1,279 NBN connections. All but 66 of these households have a connection with one of the 12 providers featured in the report. The ACCC reports a 95% confidence level in its results.

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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