Important: This page provides an independent comparison of selected third-party plans. We do not sell or provide these services. Plan prices, features, terms and availability may change and information may become outdated or contain errors. Some content may be created with AI assistance. Not all providers or products may be included. Please confirm current details directly with the provider before purchasing.
Comparison scope: This page compares selected Optus and Exetel internet plans included in our comparison data (Optus data exported 6 Oct 2026; Exetel data exported 24 Aug–7 Sep 2026). Exetel currently sells one home internet plan — the One Plan 500/50 — so most tiers below show an Optus plan with no Exetel equivalent on file. Exetel also sells a separate mobile eSIM plan, which isn't an internet plan and isn't included in this comparison. Where a table shows "No plan at this tier in our database," that means we don't have a matching plan on file — not that the provider definitely doesn't offer one.
Optus offers a full range of nbn speed tiers from nbn25 up to nbn1000, plus four tiers of 5G Home Internet. Exetel takes a different approach: instead of multiple speed tiers, it sells a single nbn500 plan at a fixed $80/mth, with two optional in-app features — Warp Speed, which temporarily boosts the connection to nbn1000-equivalent speeds for $1/day, and Hibernate, which temporarily reduces the connection and discounts the bill by $1/day. Exetel's One Plan is only available on nbn Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) or Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connections; it isn't available over Fibre to the Node (FTTN) or Fibre to the Curb (FTTC) copper-based connections without an nbn fibre upgrade first.
Quick take
- At the nbn500 tier, both providers have a plan on file. Optus's regular price ($99/mth) is higher than Exetel's ($80/mth), and Optus's plan is currently on a discounted promo price ($84/mth) while Exetel's $80/mth is its regular, non-promotional price — so Exetel is listed cheaper even against Optus's promo rate.
- Optus has plans on file at nbn25, nbn50, nbn100 and nbn1000; we don't have an Exetel plan on file at any of these tiers.
- Exetel has a single plan on file rather than multiple speed tiers. That plan can be temporarily boosted to 1000/100 Mbps via Warp Speed ($1/day) or temporarily reduced via Hibernate (saves $1/day).
- Exetel's plan requires an nbn FTTP or HFC connection; it isn't available on FTTN/FTTC copper-based connections without a fibre upgrade. On Optus, the nbn500 and nbn1000 plans are also listed for FTTP and HFC only, nbn25 and nbn50 are listed for FTTN, FTTP and HFC, and nbn100 is listed for FTTN only.
- All 9 Optus plans included in this comparison are currently discounted. Exetel's One Plan is listed at its regular price with no current promo.
- Optus offers 5G Home Internet plans across four tiers; we don't have an equivalent Exetel product on file.
nbn Plans Compared
Exetel has one plan on file, matched at the nbn500 tier. At the other tiers shown, we don't have an equivalent Exetel plan.
| Speed tier | Optus | Exetel |
|---|---|---|
| nbn25 | nbn25 Broadband Plan — $83/mth regularPromo $83 $68/mth for a limited period Typical speed: 25/8 Mbps Listed for nbn FTTN, FTTP and HFC |
No plan at this tier in our database |
| nbn50 | Plus Everyday nbn — $97/mth regularPromo $97 $82/mth for a limited period Typical speed: 50/17 Mbps Listed for nbn FTTN, FTTP and HFC |
No plan at this tier in our database |
| nbn100 | Plus Everyday Fast nbn — $99/mth regularPromo $99 $84/mth for a limited period Typical speed: 100/18 Mbps Listed for nbn FTTN only |
No plan at this tier in our database |
| nbn500 | nbn500 Broadband Plan — $99/mth regularPromo $99 $84/mth for a limited period Typical speed: 500/43 Mbps Listed for nbn FTTP and HFC |
One Plan 500/50 — $80/mthNo current promo Typical speed: 500/40 Mbps Requires nbn FTTP or HFC connection |
| nbn1000 | nbn1000 Broadband Plan — $129/mth regularPromo $129 $114/mth for a limited period Typical speed: 820/85 Mbps Listed for nbn FTTP and HFC |
No plan at this tier in our database. Exetel's nbn500 plan can be temporarily boosted to a 1000/100 Mbps connection via Warp Speed — see below. |
At the nbn500 tier, Optus's regular price is $99/mth and Exetel's regular price is $80/mth. Optus's nbn500 plan is currently discounted to $84/mth for a limited period, which is still higher than Exetel's regular, non-promotional $80/mth. Typical speeds are listed close between the two: Optus's typical upload (43 Mbps) is listed slightly higher than Exetel's (40 Mbps), while download speeds are identical (500 Mbps). We don't have an Exetel plan on file at nbn25, nbn50, nbn100 or nbn1000.
Exetel's Warp Speed & Hibernate, explained
Exetel sells one nbn plan rather than separate speed tiers. Instead, its app lets customers temporarily change the speed of that one connection for a per-day fee or discount:
- Warp Speed temporarily increases the connection to 1000/100 Mbps (typical evening speed 860/85 Mbps) for $1 per day. It's billed for however many days it's switched on — for example, turning it on for 4 days adds $4 to that month's bill on top of the standard $80/mth.
- Hibernate temporarily reduces the connection to around 25/10 Mbps (typical evening speed 25/8.5 Mbps) and discounts the bill by $1 per day it's switched on — for example, turning it on for 2 days reduces that month's bill by $2 from the standard $80/mth.
- Both are toggled on and off in the Exetel app, and don't require a plan change or contract commitment.
We don't have an equivalent per-day speed toggle on file for any Optus plan; an Optus customer wanting a different speed tier would change plans.
5G Home Internet
We don't have an Exetel 5G Home Internet plan on file. The table below shows Optus's 5G Home Internet plans on their own.
| Tier | Optus | Exetel |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Plus Everyday Basic 4G Home Internet — $59/mth regularPromo $59 $44/mth for a limited period Unlimited data · typical speed 14/4 Mbps |
No plan at this tier in our database |
| Mid | Plus Everyday 5G Home Internet — $69/mth regularPromo $69 $54/mth for a limited period Unlimited data · typical speed 50/11 Mbps |
No plan at this tier in our database |
| Fast | Plus Everyday Fast 5G Home Internet — $79/mth regularPromo $79 $64/mth for a limited period Unlimited data · typical speed 87/15 Mbps |
No plan at this tier in our database |
| Premium | Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G Home Internet — $99/mth regularPromo $99 $84/mth for a limited period Unlimited data · typical speed 230/20 Mbps |
No plan at this tier in our database |
Connection Requirements, Support & Mobile
Optus
- Customers who stay connected for 24+ months receive a free WiFi 6 modem with built-in 4G backup.
- Access to Optus SubHub, available to Optus customers generally rather than tied to a specific plan.
- We don't have Optus's phone/chat support-channel detail on file for this comparison.
Exetel
- The One Plan requires an nbn FTTP or HFC connection. It isn't available on FTTN/FTTC copper-based connections without an nbn fibre upgrade first.
- We don't have a current nbn+mobile bundle discount on file for Exetel.
- Exetel also sells a separate prepaid mobile eSIM plan, which isn't an internet plan and isn't included in the pricing comparison on this page.
- Support via live chat (daily, 9am–9pm AEST/AEDT), phone, the Exetel app, and the Exetel Support Centre: support.exetel.com.au.
Differences by Feature
nbn500 regular pricing
Optus's regular price is $99/mth. Exetel's regular price is $80/mth.
Optus's regular price is $99/mth. Exetel's regular price is $80/mth.
Speed tier flexibility
Optus offers separate plans at nbn25, nbn50, nbn100, nbn500 and nbn1000. Exetel sells one nbn500 plan with two optional per-day speed features, Warp Speed and Hibernate.
Optus offers separate plans at nbn25, nbn50, nbn100, nbn500 and nbn1000. Exetel sells one nbn500 plan with two optional per-day speed features, Warp Speed and Hibernate.
Connection technology requirement
Exetel's plan requires an nbn FTTP or HFC connection. On Optus, nbn500 and nbn1000 are listed for FTTP and HFC only, nbn25 and nbn50 for FTTN, FTTP and HFC, and nbn100 for FTTN only.
Exetel's plan requires an nbn FTTP or HFC connection. On Optus, nbn500 and nbn1000 are listed for FTTP and HFC only, nbn25 and nbn50 for FTTN, FTTP and HFC, and nbn100 for FTTN only.
5G Home Internet availability
Optus offers 5G Home Internet plans across four tiers in our database. We don't have an equivalent Exetel product on file.
Optus offers 5G Home Internet plans across four tiers in our database. We don't have an equivalent Exetel product on file.
Support channels
Exetel offers live chat, phone, an app, and a self-service Support Centre. We don't have Optus's phone/chat support-channel detail on file.
Exetel offers live chat, phone, an app, and a self-service Support Centre. We don't have Optus's phone/chat support-channel detail on file.
Mobile plans
Both providers sell separate mobile plans; neither is included in this internet plan comparison.
Both providers sell separate mobile plans; neither is included in this internet plan comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Optus or Exetel internet cheaper?
- At the nbn500 tier, the only tier where both providers have a plan on file, Optus's regular price is $99/mth and Exetel's regular price is $80/mth. Optus's nbn500 plan is currently discounted to $84/mth for a limited period, which is still higher than Exetel's regular, non-promotional price.
- Why does Exetel only have one internet plan?
- Exetel currently sells a single home nbn plan, the One Plan 500/50, rather than a range of speed tiers. Customers who want a different speed can use the optional Warp Speed or Hibernate features described above instead of switching plans.
- What is Exetel's Warp Speed?
- Warp Speed is an optional feature, activated in the Exetel app, that temporarily increases the connection to 1000/100 Mbps (typical evening speed 860/85 Mbps) for $1 per day it's switched on.
- What is Exetel's Hibernate?
- Hibernate is an optional feature, activated in the Exetel app, that temporarily reduces the connection to around 25/10 Mbps (typical evening speed 25/8.5 Mbps) and discounts the bill by $1 per day it's switched on.
- Can I get Exetel's plan on any nbn connection?
- No. Exetel's One Plan requires an nbn FTTP or HFC connection. It isn't available on FTTN or FTTC copper-based connections unless the address is upgraded to nbn fibre first.
- Does Exetel offer 5G Home Internet?
- We don't have an Exetel 5G Home Internet plan on file. Optus offers 5G Home Internet plans across four tiers in our database.
- Do Optus or Exetel offer mobile plans?
- Yes, both providers sell separate mobile plans. Neither provider's mobile plans are included in this internet plan comparison.
A note on pricing: All 9 Optus plans shown here carry a temporary discount off a higher listed regular price. Exetel's One Plan is shown at its regular price with no current promo. Always check the current advertised price and any promo length directly with the provider before signing up, as these can change.