Compare ADSL Broadband Providers

To suit your specific needs, use the Broadband Guide tools below to compare ADSL Providers and find the best ADSL, Naked Dsl or ADSL2+ plan for you. If you’re not sure where to start, you can try our "Plan Finder" to help you work out your broadband requirements.

Click on the Icons below to browse for ADSL broadband plans, browse ADSL providers or browse providers that service your region. Using Broadband Guide, getting ADSL broadband internet access has never been easier.

About ADSL Broadband

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, or ADSL, is a data communication method for Internet purposes that uses traditional copper wires (telephone lines) to distribute Internet transmissions and is up to 350 times faster than conventional Dial-up Internet. Broadband Internet and telephone communication use can be performed simultaneously over the telephone line as they operate over different frequencies. An ADSL splitter and ADSL modem (or ADSL modem/router) is all that is required.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics defines the term ‘broadband’ as a data transmission protocol which is capable of delivering Broadband Internet download speeds of 256kbps and above. The total amount of Australian DSL Broadband subscribers is rapidly reaching the 5 million mark which is more than 50% of the total of all Internet subscriptions. This figure is significantly higher than any other access type such as Wireless (approx 20%) and Cable (approx 10%).

The ADSL Standard ITU G.992.2 is considerably much slower than its successor ADSL2+, which has the capacity to provide broadband Internet speeds of up to 24 megabits per second (Mbit/s). ADSL is restricted to a maximum of 1.5Mbit/s down link rate and upstream of 0.5Mbit/s. In Australia, most ADSL Service Providers typically offer ADSL Broadband Plans at speeds of 1.5/0.256Mbit/s (1500/256k). However, some providers offer ADSL plans with download speeds up to 8Mbit/s using a different ADSL standard.

ADSL Broadband is perfect for those who are new to the Internet or only require an Internet connection for tasks such as general browsing, emails, Internet Banking and small downloads. If you’re seeking a broadband plan for a hungry family, frequent movie downloads and other types of huge data files or IPTV related services, you may need to consider ADSL2+ or a Cable Broadband service.

Typical ADSL Speeds Offerings
256/64kbps - is an entry level broadband speed which is almost obsolete as many providers have decided to withdraw these offerings from circulation. Although OK for emailing and web browsing, 256/64k is ultimately a slower broadband speed. Not suitable for a home network that will have more than one person simultaneously browsing the Internet.

512/128kbps - is the new entry level broadband speed which most novice and occasional Internet users should find adequate. Suitable for Emailing and Internet banking. May find some web sites slow to load and is not suitable for a home network that will have more than two people simultaneously browsing the Internet.

1500/256kbps - is the ideal ADSL speed for new to broadband and occasional Internet users. Many current websites require a faster broadband speed and 1500/256 is the most suited speed out of all three. Great for small downloads, streaming YouTube, web browsing, online shopping and will handle a small home network.

8000/384kbps - is a superseded ADSL standard that arrived a little later on the scene. While quite expensive, the significantly faster ADSL speed will almost match any current ADSL2+ offering due to the limitations behind external factors found on the Internet. Great for heavy downloading, Home Networks with multiple users and streaming video.

ADSL broadband plans and speeds will soon be made redundant. Not only are ADSL2+ plans fast replacing ADSL, however the upcoming Australian National Broadband Network and its high speed 100Mbps fibre-to-the-Home technology will replace many such services once it becomes operational. Innovation and other evolving technologies require broadband speed far far superior than ADSL. However, for the next several years ADSL broadband will still prove useful , although I’d suggest that you first consider an ADSL2+ plan as they are much better suited for the Internet as it stands today, and are very much similar in price to that of ADSL.