What is OptiComm?

The OptiComm network provides a high-speed alternative to the NBN, with over half a million users across Australia.

Have you just moved into a housing estate or a new development? If so, you might realise you don't have access to the NBN and instead have to get an internet plan with OptiComm.

What is OptiComm?

OptiComm is Australia's largest privately owned provider of, what is essentially the same as, Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) networks.

It is one of the few private alternatives to the government-owned NBN (National Broadband Network) fibre cable network that most people are familiar with.

Back in 2009, OptiComm was one of several companies that started laying down high-speed fibre broadband infrastructure. Today it rents out those cables to other telecommunications providers like Aussie Broadband, Exetel and iiNet.

Since the OptiComm network offers the equivalent of the fastest NBN technology – FTTP – OptiComm should perform as well as or better than any NBN connection.

The catch is that it's only available to a small number of communities, so it's not at all surprising that you may not have heard of it before.

LBNCo is now part of OptiComm

If you were covered by LBNCo previously (another fibre-optic-based technology network), you would have been transferred over to the OptiComm network by now. This change was initiated in November 2023. Existing LBNCo customers don't need to do anything as nothing in their connection or service teams will chanage.

OptiComm providers

Although you're more limited in your choice of providers than you would be with the NBN, there are still plenty of providers out there that will cater to your needs. All OptiComm providers we've shown below have plans that are identical in price and speed to the provider's NBN plans.

Aussie Broadband OptiComm plans

Product AUFBB-INT Features Data allowance Typical download speed Price Hid Compare Box!
Aussie Broadband 12/1 Basic Opticomm
Aussie Broadband logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase from $180
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
11Mbps
Speed
11Mbps
$69
per month
$109 setup fees, $178 min. total cost
Price
$69 per month
$109 setup fees, $178 min. total cost
Aussie Broadband 25/10 Basic Plus Opticomm
Aussie Broadband logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase from $180
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
24Mbps
Speed
24Mbps
$79
per month
$109 setup fees, $188 min. total cost
Price
$79 per month
$109 setup fees, $188 min. total cost
Aussie Broadband 50/20 Value Opticomm
Aussie Broadband logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase from $180
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
49Mbps
Speed
49Mbps
$89
per month
$109 setup fees, $198 min. total cost
Price
$89 per month
$109 setup fees, $198 min. total cost
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Exetel OptiComm plans

Product AUFBB-INT Features Data allowance Typical download speed Price Hid Compare Box!
Exetel Fibre Everyday
Exetel logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $151
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
25Mbps
Speed
25Mbps
$53.99
per month
$0 setup fees, $53.99 min. total cost
Price
$53.99 per month
$0 setup fees, $53.99 min. total cost
Exetel Fibre Extra Value
Exetel logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $151
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
50Mbps
Speed
50Mbps
$63.99
per month
$0 setup fees, $63.99 min. total cost
Price
$63.99 per month
$0 setup fees, $63.99 min. total cost
Exetel Fibre Family
Exetel logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $151
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
100Mbps
Speed
100Mbps
$68.99
per month
$0 setup fees, $68.99 min. total cost
Price
$68.99 per month
$0 setup fees, $68.99 min. total cost
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iPrimus OptiComm plans

Product AUFBB-INT Features Data allowance Typical download speed Price Hid Compare Box!
iPrimus Fibre Standard Plus
iPrimus logo
  • Month-to-month
  • $0 modem if you stay connected for 18 months T&Cs apply
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
50Mbps
Speed
50Mbps
$75
per month
$0 setup fees, $195 min. total cost
Price
$75 per month
$0 setup fees, $195 min. total cost
iPrimus Fibre Premium
iPrimus logo
  • Month-to-month
  • $0 modem if you stay connected for 18 months T&Cs apply
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
200Mbps
Speed
200Mbps
$90
per month
$0 setup fees, $210 min. total cost
Price
$90 per month
$0 setup fees, $210 min. total cost
iPrimus Fibre Home Superfast
iPrimus logo
  • Month-to-month
  • $0 modem if you stay connected for 18 months T&Cs apply
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
200Mbps
Speed
200Mbps
$115
per month
$0 setup fees, $235 min. total cost
Price
$115 per month
$0 setup fees, $235 min. total cost
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Origin OptiComm plans

Product AUFBB-INT Features Data allowance Typical download speed Price Hid Compare Box!
Origin Broadband Everyday Opticomm Fibre 25
Origin logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $151
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
22Mbps
Speed
22Mbps
$83
per month
$5 setup fees, $88 min. total cost
Price
$83 per month
$5 setup fees, $88 min. total cost
Origin Broadband Experience Opticomm Fibre 50
Origin logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $151
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
48Mbps
Speed
48Mbps
$95
per month
$5 setup fees, $100 min. total cost
Price
$95 per month
$5 setup fees, $100 min. total cost
Origin Broadband Enthusiast Opticomm Fibre 100/20
Origin logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $151
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
95Mbps
Speed
95Mbps
$105
per month
$5 setup fees, $110 min. total cost
Price
$105 per month
$5 setup fees, $110 min. total cost
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Superloop OptiComm plans

Product AUFBB-INT Features Data allowance Typical download speed Price Hid Compare Box!
Superloop Fibre Everyday
Superloop logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $170
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
22Mbps
Speed
22Mbps
$59
per month
$0 setup fees, $59 min. total cost
Price
$59 per month
$0 setup fees, $59 min. total cost
Superloop Fibre Extra Value
Superloop logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $170
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
48Mbps
Speed
48Mbps
$67
per month
$0 setup fees, $67 min. total cost
Price
$67 per month
$0 setup fees, $67 min. total cost
Superloop Fibre Family
Superloop logo
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO modem or purchase for $170
Unlimited Data
Data
Unlimited Data
95Mbps
Speed
95Mbps
$75
per month
$0 setup fees, $75 min. total cost
Price
$75 per month
$0 setup fees, $75 min. total cost
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OptiComm vs NBN: What's the difference?

In most ways, an OptiComm internet connection is identical to an NBN FTTP connection. It uses the same core of high-speed fibre-optic cables to transfer signals rapidly.

The only real difference is in who maintains the network and the technology that's employed.

OptiComm is superior to around 80% of NBN connections because it doesn't include any older technology in its wiring. Most of the NBN uses decades-old copper wires and coaxial cables as part of its connections, which can't transmit signals as fast as fibre-optic can. This limits the maximum speed of some Australian NBN connections.

On the other hand, the NBN is available to almost all Australians, while OptiComm is only an option for a select few. If you have access to OptiComm, there's very little chance of it being replaced by the NBN in future.

One potential downside of OptiComm is that you may or may not have access to free-to-air TV in your housing estate. This will depend on exactly how your building has been wired. On the plus side, if free-to-air TV is available, Foxtel and other cable TV options will be, too.

Like the NBN, if you're not keen on a fixed-line home internet connection, you could look into other wireless alternatives such as mobile broadband and home wireless broadband.

Keep in mind that the quality of your internet connection may vary on these connections since it's heavily dependent on your location and network availability. Chances are that if you've got a decent signal on your mobile plan at your location, mobile broadband and home wireless should work just as well as your phone's internet service.

What are OptiComm speeds like?

The OptiComm network is entirely composed of high-speed fibre cables, giving you access to lightning fast broadband.

Plans for the OptiComm network are divided into speed tiers in the same way that the NBN is. Here are the speed tiers available, along with their maximum download and upload speeds:

  • 12/1: 12Mbps download, 1Mbps upload.
  • 25/5: 25Mbps download, 5Mbps upload.
  • 50/20: 50Mbps download, 20Mbps upload.
  • 100/40: 100Mbps download, 40Mbps upload.
  • 250/25: 250Mbps download, 25Mbps upload.
  • 1000/50: 1000Mbps (1Gbps) download, 50Mbps upload.

Because all OptiComm connections are the same, anyone on the network can purchase whichever speed tier they're after. This is different to the NBN, where some connection types don't support faster speeds.

Where is OptiComm available?

OptiComm is heavily restricted and is largely only available in new or recently developed housing estates. Here's a map showing all of the places that you can currently get an OptiComm plan.

Keep in mind that if you're outside of an OptiComm zone, you can't purchase an OptiComm plan. Instead, you'll be serviced by the NBN.


Jason Loewenthal's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Jason Loewenthal as part of our fact-checking process.
Michelle Kwong's headshot
Written by

Publisher

Michelle Kwong is the publisher for utilities, specialising in mobile and internet plans. Michelle has a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and Media (PR and Advertising) from the University of New South Wales. See full bio

Michelle's expertise
Michelle has written 5 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Mobile phone plans
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