In Australia people in the country and out-of-town spots have always found it hard to get good internet. Normal broadband lines are often too far away so Aussies have had to look for other ways. Two big names you hear about for folks away from the main cities are Starlink and NBN. But which one fits you best?
In this guide we will go over what sets Starlink and NBN apart in things like speed, price, how steady they stay and where you can get them. By the time you finish reading you will know everything to pick the right one.
Starlink vs NBN: Which is Better?
Starlink works best if you stay in far-off or country places where NBN does not reach well or drops out a lot. It gives quicker speeds up to 270 Mbps low lag around 20 to 40 ms and no data caps so it fits great for things like watching shows or playing games. But it costs more at about $139 each month.
NBN stays cheaper with plans that start at $45 a month and does fine in city or close-in areas that have cable or wireless links. It can hit super fast speeds with FTTP up to 1 Gbps yet it may lag more and drop out in country spots.
All in all if you live way out Starlink is probably your top pick. If you are in town or the suburbs NBN gives a cheaper way to go.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet setup made by SpaceX. Old style satellite internet uses big satellites that sit 36,000 km up in the sky but Starlink uses low Earth orbit ones that stay just 550 km away. That makes Starlink give faster speeds, less lag and steadier links.
With Starlink you can get quick internet access in almost any place in Australia as long as the sky stays clear above you. It helps a lot for folks in far away or country spots where normal broadband does not reach.
What is NBN?
The National Broadband Network or NBN is the government plan in Australia to bring fast internet to every part of the country. It uses different ways like fiber cables that go right to your house fixed wireless and satellite to get internet into homes. You find NBN in most city places but people in the country often get stuck with slower types like NBN Fixed Wireless or Satellite NBN called Sky Muster.
NBN has been getting set up for years now but how much area it covers and how good it works can change a lot based on where you are. For folks out in rural spots NBN might not give the same strong service you get in big cities.
Starlink vs Satellite NBN
Both Starlink and Satellite NBN send internet through satellites but they work different and have big gaps.
Speed and Lag:
Starlink gives much quicker speeds than Satellite NBN. Satellite NBN called Sky Muster tops out at about 25 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up while Starlink can hit download speeds up to 270 Mbps and upload up to 40 Mbps. That is a huge jump for stuff like video chats games or watching shows.
Another big gap is lag. Starlink uses satellites close to Earth so lag stays around 20 to 40 ms which beats Satellite NBN lag of about 600 ms by miles. This makes Starlink way better for things that need to happen right away like games or video calls.
Price:
Satellite NBN plans start cheaper at $40 a month. Starlink costs more. The normal Starlink plan runs $139 each month. But Starlink gives you all the data you want while Satellite NBN puts caps on data and splits it into busy times and quiet times.
How Steady It Stays:
Starlink usually stays more solid in the country and far off spots. Bad weather can still mess it up like heavy rain or storms. Satellite NBN or Sky Muster gets hit by weather too but it can stay steadier in places with good setup.
What Wins:
If you want fast internet with low lag and can get Starlink it beats Satellite NBN hands down. But if money is tight Satellite NBN can still do the job especially where Starlink has not reached yet.
Starlink vs Fixed Wireless NBN
Fixed Wireless NBN sends internet with radio waves from towers on the ground while Starlink uses satellites. The main gap is the way they run.
Speed:
Starlink takes the win on speed. NBN Fixed Wireless can go up to 400 Mbps but real speeds drop a lot from too many people distance to the tower and other stuff. Starlink keeps speeds steady from 50 to 270 Mbps so it works better for country folks where Fixed Wireless NBN fights to keep up.
Lag:
Fixed Wireless NBN has lag around 10 to 20 ms which beats Starlink lag of 30 to 40 ms. Still Starlink lag stays way better than Satellite NBN high lag and gives a smoother feel for games and such.
Cost:
Fixed Wireless NBN costs less than Starlink. Plans start as low as $45 a month based on who you pick and what plan. Starlink starts at $139 a month so it runs higher.
What Wins:
If you stay where Fixed Wireless NBN works good and you can handle speed ups and downs it saves cash. But for steady fast internet especially out in the country Starlink is the top pick.
Starlink vs Fixed-Line NBN
Fixed-line NBN like FTTP gives the quickest speeds and stays the most solid but you mostly find it in city and close-in spots. Let us look at how it stacks up to Starlink.
Speed:
Fixed-line NBN tops out with the fastest speeds some plans hit 1 Gbps or 1,000 Mbps. Starlink gives up to 270 Mbps which is slower but still quick enough for most home stuff. If FTTP NBN reaches you it wins on speed and staying steady.
Cost:
Fixed-line NBN stays cheaper than Starlink plans start around $60 a month for up to 100 Mbps speeds. Starlink runs $139 a month for no data limits so that is a big jump and fits better for folks who need good internet out in the country.
What Wins:
If you can get FTTP or other fixed-line NBN it beats everything on speed price and how solid it stays. But if you live way out where fixed-line NBN does not go Starlink is your top pick.
Cost Comparison: Starlink vs NBN
- Starlink: $549 setup fee (standard kit) + $139 per month for unlimited data.
- Satellite NBN: Starting at $40 per month, but with data limits and potential setup fees.
- Fixed Wireless NBN: $45 to $100 per month, with free setup in most cases.
While Starlink is pricier, its higher speeds and unlimited data may justify the cost for those in rural or remote locations. NBN is more affordable but comes with limitations in speed and data usage, especially in regional areas.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Starlink if:
- You live in a rural or remote area where NBN isn’t available.
- You need faster speeds, low latency, and unlimited data.
- You’re willing to pay a bit more for superior performance.
Choose NBN if:
- You live in an urban or suburban area with access to FTTP or Fixed Wireless.
- You’re on a budget and can tolerate lower speeds.
- You don’t mind the occasional drop in performance during peak times.
Final Thoughts
Picking between Starlink and NBN depends on where you stay how fast you need it and how much you want to spend. Starlink gives quicker and steadier internet for far-off spots while NBN stays cheaper for people near big cities who can get good cable links. No matter which one you go with both Starlink and NBN have brought fast internet to places that used to have bad connections and that changes how Aussies stay in touch with the world.
Still unsure which option is best for you? Contact us today! We offer professional Starlink and NBN installation services, as well as professional NBN relocation to ensure you get the most reliable internet for your needs.