Get up to $180 off over 6 months on Telstra nbn and get the speedy, secure Smart Modem 3 for use with new services

Joseph Hanlon - Editorial Director

Last updated 26 August 2022

This article is sponsored by Telstra.

Switch to Telstra nbn today and get up to $180 off on its fastest nbn plans, and get the excellent Telstra Smart Modem 3 included for use with all new nbn services.

New customers signing up to the Telstra Upfront Internet Plan Premium will receive a $20/mth credit on their account for the first 6 months, bringing the cost down to just $90 per month. This plan has typical evening download speeds of 100 Mbps (7 pm – 11 pm), includes unlimited data and has no lock-in contracts.

Lucky ducks with a Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) nbn connection can choose to go faster, and save even more, with the Telstra Upfront Internet Plan Ultimate. This plan has typical evening download speeds of 250 Mbps (7 pm – 11 pm). New customers will receive a $30/mth credit on their account for the first 6 months, adding up to $180 in credit over 6 months.

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

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$99/mth

Min. cost $49.50

Link not supplied

To get the most out of these home internet plans, Telstra is including the Smart Modem 3 for use with all new home internet services (excl. 5G Home Internet), offering a strong combination of speed and security, plus a number of other intriguing features.

Telstra Smart Modem 3: the brains and brawn behind Telstra nbn

The 3rd generation Smart Modem is easily one of the best Wi-Fi routers you can get from any Australian internet provider. There are six reasons to get excited about the Smart Modem 3, and strangely enough, each begins with the letter ‘S’: a superb six-pack of specs and features to make the most of your fast, new nbn service.

First up is Speed, with Telstra claiming that this new router is on average 60% faster than the Telstra Smart Modem 2. Comparison testing performed in November 2021.

The secret behind this Wi-Fi speed boost is the upgrade to Wi-Fi 6 technology, which while faster in general, is also more capable at sharing bandwidth across numerous devices at the same time. Like a traffic controller at a busy intersection, Wi-Fi 6 technology is far better at getting each device on the network the data needed for a seamless experience.

Next is Strength, as in signal strength. The Smart Modem 3 has the right mix of hardware and software to blanket your home with wireless connectivity. You know the loo at the back of the house where you usually can’t connect to the Wi-Fi? Just wait until you have the Smart Modem 3 installed.

In fact, Telstra conducted independently supervised testing in a real 4-bedroom home and found that the Smart Modem 3 was able to share its Wi-Fi signal across the entire house, with only minimal signal drop-off at test points up to three rooms from the router and no black spots. By comparison, competitor Wi-Fi routers tested all struggled at similar distances and had sections of the house where the connection was unavailable or virtually unusable. You can check out the test results on the Telstra site.

Telstra Smart Modem 3 comparison — Credit: Telstra

Internet Security is always an important consideration, and the Smart Modem 3 is on call to keep online baddies at bay. Wi-Fi 6 offers enhanced security with the option to use the new WPA3 security protocol, a major upgrade to the WPA2 security used by most Wi-Fi routers and smart devices.

Telstra is also committed to regular, timely software updates for the Smart Modem 3, which will include security patches as they are needed. We all need to be vigilant when we’re online, with an eye out for hacks, malware and scams, but it’s good to know that the Smart Modem 3 forms a solid frontline against a wide range of threats.

Smart and Support are the next two in this super selection of ‘S’ words, and these go hand-in-hand. In the rare event that your internet connection suffers a technical hitch, the built-in Smartfix capability is able to diagnose and resolve various issues. In fact, Smartfix doesn’t wait for a problem to arise, and continuously monitors your connection and helps fix faults it discovers before these cause an outage.

If you lose your connection to the nbn network, the Smart Modem 3 falls back on an included 4G SIM card to keep you online. For the duration of the outage, the 4G service connects you to the Telstra mobile network, delivering download speeds up to 25Mbps, depending on the available coverage at your home. 4G coverage required. Backup speeds capped at 25/5Mbps. Actual speeds may be lower.

And finally, the last ‘S’ in the series is Sustainability. The Smart Modem 3 router is constructed from 80% recycled materials or more, and is delivered to you in 100% recyclable packaging. Environmental conservation may be the last thing on your mind as you tear open the box and plug in the Smart Modem 3, so it’s good to know that Telstra has this covered.

To get speeds, smarts and security in your home, simply head over to the Telstra site and connect to any nbn home internet plan. The Smart Modem 3 is included for use with new home internet services (excluding 5G Home Internet), including the discounted plans mentioned above. Just make sure you hurry, as the deal ends October 24, 2022.

Things you need to know: Offer for new services. Ends 24 October 2022. Monthly discount ends early if you change plans. If you leave within 24 months, simply return your modem or pay a $200 non-return fee.

Joseph Hanlon

Editorial Director | X | LinkedIn

Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Techradar, Gizmodo and Lifehacker. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.

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