The way Australians use the internet has changed.
Streaming in 4K, working from home, gaming, video calls, cloud backups, smart TVs and dozens of connected devices can all be competing for bandwidth at the same time.
That means choosing an internet plan shouldn't simply come down to picking the biggest speed number.
You need to consider how many people use your connection, what they do online, the technology available at your address, typical busy-period performance and, of course, what you'll actually pay.
Here's what to look for when choosing an nbn® internet plan in 2026.
1. Start with how your household actually uses the internet
Every household is different.
A home with one or two people mainly browsing, checking email and watching the occasional show will have very different requirements from a household where several people are simultaneously gaming, streaming, studying and working from home.
Before selecting a plan, think about:
- How many people regularly use your internet?
- How many devices are usually connected?
- Do you stream HD or 4K video?
- Does anyone work or study from home?
- Are there gamers in the house?
- Do you regularly upload large files or back up content to the cloud?
- Are several high-bandwidth activities happening at once?
The right plan is the one that suits your actual usage rather than simply offering the largest advertised speed tier.
2. Understand the difference between a speed tier and the speed you may experience
You may see broadband plans described using figures such as 100/20 Mbps, 500/50 Mbps or 1000/100 Mbps.
These figures describe the underlying plan or wholesale speed tier. They should not be interpreted as a guarantee that your connection will operate at the maximum stated speed at all times.
For residential broadband, Typical Evening Speed is an important figure to check.
It provides an indication of the speeds customers can typically expect during the busy evening period, generally between 7 pm and 11 pm, when internet demand is higher.
At Liva Telecom, current plan information and relevant Critical Information Summaries show the applicable speed information for each plan.
Actual speeds can vary depending on factors including:
- the nbn® technology available at your address
- network conditions
- your modem or router
- Wi-Fi coverage inside your home
- internal wiring
- the capability of your device
- the number of connected devices and users
- the websites and online services being accessed
For this reason, always check the speed information for the specific plan available at your address.
3. More connected devices can mean you need more capacity
Think about a typical evening at home.
One person might be watching Netflix on the TV.
Someone else could be gaming online.
Another might be on a video call.
Phones, tablets, security cameras and smart-home devices may also be connected in the background.
Individually, these activities might not be a problem. But when several people are using the connection at once, a higher-capacity broadband plan may provide a better experience.
Liva offers a range of plans designed for different household requirements, subject to the network technology and plans available at your address.
Streaming households
If several members of your household regularly stream HD or 4K content, consider a plan that provides enough capacity for simultaneous use.
Gamers
Download speed is only part of the gaming experience. Latency, the game server, your home network and whether you use Wi-Fi or Ethernet can also affect performance.
Working from home
Video conferencing, file transfers, VPN connections and cloud services can make both download and upload performance important.
Larger families
When multiple users and devices are active simultaneously, a higher-speed plan may help provide greater capacity across the household.
4. Check what type of connection is available at your address
Not every internet plan or speed tier is available at every Australian address.
Your options can depend on the infrastructure servicing your property, including technologies such as:
- Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)
- Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)
- other nbn® fixed-line technologies
- nbn® Fixed Wireless
- OptiComm fibre
Some higher-speed plans require compatible FTTP or HFC connections.
That's why checking your address should be one of your first steps rather than choosing a plan based on speed alone.
5. Look beyond the introductory monthly price
A discounted internet plan can look attractive, but it's worth asking what happens when the promotional period ends.
Consider:
- How long does the advertised price apply?
- What will the plan cost afterwards?
- Is there a fixed-term contract?
- Are there early termination fees?
- Are equipment or delivery fees additional?
- Does the advertised offer require a promotional code?
- Are there eligibility requirements?
Clear pricing makes it easier to budget for your household over the longer term.
Liva's 2-Year Price Lock
Eligible Liva customers can access a 2-Year Price Lock on eligible plans.
For an accepted eligible order, the applicable base monthly internet plan fee is locked for 24 months from service activation, subject to the offer terms.
Importantly, the Price Lock does not turn the service into a two-year fixed-term contract.
Eligible Liva internet services remain supplied month-to-month, with applicable minimum-term and service conditions.
The Price Lock applies to the eligible base monthly internet plan fee. Other charges — such as optional add-ons, hardware, delivery, installation, relocation, additional services and certain taxes, levies or regulatory charges — are not necessarily included in the Price Lock.
After the 24-month Price Lock period ends, the service continues month-to-month at the applicable price unless you change your plan or cancel.
Always review the applicable offer terms and Critical Information Summary before ordering.
6. Want to experience the service before deciding?
Changing internet providers can feel like a big decision.
Eligible new customers who successfully apply the LIVA2Y offer code to an eligible order can receive a 10-day internet service free trial, subject to the current offer terms.
The internet trial begins from service activation.
If you choose to continue after the trial, your eligible promotional monthly plan fee will apply.
If you do not wish to continue, you must cancel within the applicable 10-day trial period for no base monthly internet plan fee to apply for the trial.
Charges outside the base monthly plan fee — which may include hardware, delivery, installation or optional add-ons — can still apply.
Eligibility, available plans and offer terms apply, so check the current offer information before ordering.
7. No lock-in doesn't mean there are no terms
Liva promotes eligible internet services with no lock-in contract.
That gives customers flexibility without committing to a multi-year fixed-term internet contract.
However, no lock-in does not mean that every charge disappears when you cancel.
Charges already incurred and applicable equipment, add-on or other service charges can remain payable.
Always review the Critical Information Summary and applicable terms before signing up.
8. Check the Critical Information Summary
Before choosing a telecommunications plan, don't rely on the headline alone.
The Critical Information Summary, or CIS, is designed to help you understand important details of the service, including applicable:
- monthly pricing
- included data
- speed information
- contract or minimum-term conditions
- equipment charges
- setup charges
- exit fees
- offer conditions
- other potential charges
Liva publishes Critical Information Summaries and its relevant legal and compliance documents online so customers can review the details before making a decision.
Finding the right internet plan doesn't have to be complicated
The best place to start is with your household.
Think about how many people are online, what they're doing, the technology available at your address and the level of performance your household needs.
Then compare the actual plan information — not just the biggest number in the advertisement.
With Liva, you can check the broadband options available at your address, compare eligible plans and review the relevant speed, pricing and offer information before you order.
Ready to see what's available at your address?
Check your address and explore eligible Liva internet plans today.
Important information
Plan availability, speeds and offers depend on your service address, connection technology, eligibility and selected plan. Actual speeds experienced may vary due to factors including network conditions, nbn® technology, in-premises wiring, modem/router and Wi-Fi capability, device capability, the number of simultaneous users and devices, and the websites or online services accessed.
References to plan speed tiers are not guarantees of actual speeds. Refer to the applicable plan page and Critical Information Summary for current typical speed information, pricing and service conditions.
The Liva 2-Year Price Lock applies to the eligible base monthly internet plan fee for 24 months from service activation and is subject to eligibility and applicable offer terms. It does not necessarily cover hardware, delivery, installation, optional add-ons, relocation, additional services or new or changed taxes, levies, government or regulatory charges.
The 10-day internet service trial is available to eligible new customers on eligible plans where the applicable LIVA2Y offer code is successfully accepted at checkout. The trial starts on service activation. Customers who do not wish to continue must cancel within the applicable trial period. Charges outside the base monthly internet plan fee may still apply.
Any optional Kaspersky Plus trial is separate from the Liva internet service trial. Under the current Kaspersky Plus trial terms, an eligible optional 10-day Kaspersky Plus trial converts to a 12-month paid license with a one-time $25 charge including GST if it is not cancelled before the trial ends. The paid license does not automatically renew. Applicable terms and eligibility requirements apply.
Always review the current Critical Information Summary and applicable terms before ordering.
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