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Cable Internet Plans

Find out more about cable internet plans, how they work and what your alternatives may be with Savvy.

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, updated on August 6th, 2024       

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Cable internet plans utilise the same infrastructure as pay television, offering connections which could comfortably outperform ADSL and ADSL2+ plans. However, with the rollout of the NBN, these plans are no longer as common in Australia. You can find out about how they work, as well as what your potential alternatives to a cable internet plan are, right here with Savvy today!

What is cable internet and how does it work?

Cable internet is a type of internet plan which makes use of the same network of cables and connections as pay TV, such as Foxtel. Here's a breakdown of how it functions:

  • Data transmission: cable internet delivers data to your home via a coaxial cable. This cable connects to your modem, which then translates the data into a usable internet connection.
  • Shared network: cable internet operates on a shared network, which means multiple users in the same area may share the available bandwidth. During peak usage times, this shared network can lead to slower speeds, but cable internet is typically fast enough to handle various online activities simultaneously.
  • Modem and router: to access cable internet, you'll need a cable modem and a router. The modem connects to the cable network, while the router distributes the internet connection wirelessly within your home.

How fast are cable internet plans?

Cable internet plans are capable of delivering fast broadband speeds of up to 100Mbps, thanks in large part to their coaxial connection as opposed to copper. However, the exact speed you can expect from a cable internet plan depends on several factors, including your location, your chosen plan and network congestion during peak usage times. Although download speeds are comparable to NBN 100 plans, upload speeds often sit at around 2Mbps, which is slower than NBN 25.

Is cable internet still available in Australia?

Yes – cable internet is still available in places where the NBN has yet to be rolled out. However, for the most part, this is a stop-gap plan for households until the NBN becomes available, after which point the cable connection will be replaced. This means that all cable internet connections will eventually be phased out in favour of Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) NBN connections. As of September 2023, only one provider in Australia offers cable internet, so the level of choice is very slim.

How is cable internet different from ADSL plans?

Cable internet and ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) are two different technologies used to provide broadband internet access. Here are the key differences between cable internet and ADSL plans:

Cable ADSL

Technology

Cable internet uses a coaxial cable network, typically the same infrastructure used for pay television services.
ADSL, on the other hand, relies on existing copper telephone lines to deliver internet service. It operates on a different frequency band than voice calls, allowing simultaneous internet and phone use.

Speed

It often provides faster download and upload speeds compared to ADSL. You can access speeds of up to 100Mbps for downloads, potentially making it suitable for high-bandwidth activities like streaming and online gaming.
These speeds are generally lower and can vary significantly based on your distance from the telephone exchange. ADSL plans typically offer download speeds ranging from 1Mbps to 24Mbps.

Availability

Cable internet is only available in specific areas where cable infrastructure has been laid and the NBN isn’t currently available.
While ADSL connections were far more common, plans today are only available to those without NBN access.

Phone usage

Cable internet does not use your phone line, so you can use the phone for voice calls independently of your internet connection.
ADSL shares the phone line with internet access, potentially affecting voice call quality when using the phone and internet simultaneously.

What are the alternatives to cable internet?

If cable internet is not available in your area or you're exploring other options, there are several alternatives to consider:

  • NBN (National Broadband Network): the NBN is a government-backed initiative to provide high-speed internet access to all Australians. It comes with six download speed tier options which range from 12Mbps to as much as 1Gbps. Once it becomes available in your area, it’ll be the only fixed line internet connection you’re able to choose.
  • ADSL2+: if the NBN isn’t available in your area, you may still have access to ADSL2+ through your phone lines. This technology has almost entirely been phased out across the country, however.
  • Home wireless broadband: this type of connection utilises mobile networks to establish a link to the internet. It’s currently available in both 4G and 5G in Australia (as 5G isn’t accessible nationwide), with 5G capable of rivalling speeds achieved on faster NBN tiers.
  • Mobile broadband: like home wireless, mobile broadband uses mobile networks to provide internet access. However, while home wireless is designed to provide a fixed connection at a home or office, mobile broadband is portable and more suitable for users who need internet on the go.

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Compare internet plans with Savvy

Regardless of whether you're looking for an internet plan for a one-person household or a large family, you can compare a range of offers from leading Australian providers side by side with Savvy. Get started with a free, no-obligation quote today!

Disclaimer:

Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of internet plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys an internet plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.

Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an internet plan. For further information on the variety of internet plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.

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