Telstra's Smart Home Bundle combines broadband, smart home devices & Foxtel Now

Tara Donnelly

Last updated 14 March 2018

With smart homes predicted to be the next big thing in mobile and technology, Telstra is positioning itself as the go-to telco for the connected household. To celebrate its extensive range of smart home accessories - and to encourage more customers to get on board with home automation - Telstra has announced its all-new Smart Home Internet Bundle.

The bundle is aimed at households ready to dip a toe into smart home technology, and who also want to combine their broadband plan with home entertainment. For $124 per month, you'll get the following:

An unlimited data broadband plan

A Telstra Smart Modem

Telstra TV

A 24-month Foxtel Now Starter Pack subscription

Your choice of one smart speaker:

Amazon Echo Dot
Google Home Mini

Your choice of one Telstra Smart Home Starter Kit:

Watch and Monitor Starter Kit
Automation and Energy Kit

The package is a combination of Telstra's $99 Home Entertainment Bundle (seen below) and a $25 per-month Smart Home Starter Kit. You'll get unlimited monthly data with this plan, but the type of technology available - either fixed line NBN, cable, or ADSL2+ - will depend on your address.

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

If you do qualify for NBN service, your connection will be at Standard Plus Evening Speed, formerly known as NBN 50. The bundle is only available on a 24-month contract, and incurs a $99 connection charge if you're a new Telstra broadband customer (so costs a minimum of $3075 over two years).

Google Home vs. Amazon Echo

As outlined above, customers buying this plan can choose between the Amazon Echo Dot and the Google Home Mini. While both devices can control your compatible Smart Home features via voice, the Google Mini can distinguish up to six voices in total, and tailor schedules, playlists, travel times and more to each user. You can also use the Mini to find news, sports and weather, play music and podcasts, and more.

Amazon's smart speaker features the Alexa personal assistant, and in addition to controlling your Telstra Smart Home appliances, can be used to play music, set alarms, check weather, create to-do lists, and so on. According to our WhistleOut testing, it's also about twice as fast at responding to your Smart Home commands as Google Home.

Smart Home Starter Kits

Telstra's Smart Home Starter Kits are great for households new to home automation. The Watch and Monitor Kit is great for basic home security, featuring a Smart Home Hub, an indoor WiFi HD camera, and two door or window sensors.

If you're more concerned with saving energy and setting up automated lights or appliances, the Automation and Energy Kit includes a Smart Home Hub, two door or window sensors, one wide beam motion sensor, and two smart power plugs.

Of course, if you already have a Google Home or Amazon Echo, you can simply sign up for either Starter Kit for $25 per month, on a 24-month plan. And no matter which Telstra Smart Home service you subscribe to, additional devices - such as cameras, lights, and sensors - can be purchased and added at any time.

As a special introductory offer, you can also claim a bonus $100 credit when you sign up for Telstra's Smart Home Bundle and activate before April 30. This credit can be used to buy any smart home device or accessory available in Telstra's online store.

Why would I want a smart home?

Telstra is confident that the smart home market is set to boom in the next five years, predicting more than one million Aussie homes will using smart devices and automation within that timeframe.

If you're someone looking for simple security solutions, wanting to save on energy bills, needing an easy way to control appliances, lights and temperature even when you're not at home, or just love following new tech trends, a smart home may be right for you.

For more information on Telstra's broadband plans, start comparing below.