If you run a business, it’s likely you need fast, reliable internet. Learn how to choose the right nbn plan by considering your business needs. Covering upload and download speeds, support, back up, security and flexibility.
The internet is critical for nearly every business. Whether it’s a morning team video call, or collaborating on your latest merchandise designs, you want smooth, uninterrupted digital experiences.
Business internet services over the nbn's network help you connect to the internet with confidence. With different plans and providers available, how can you choose a service that suits your business’ needs? In this article we break down the key things to consider.
The first factor to check is whether the nbn's network is available at your business address. There are over 12 million premises connected to the nbn's network, or ready to connect, so it’s likely you’ll have access to an nbn service.
So, first check if your premises is nbn ready and what nbn technology type is available at your address. Service provider offerings may be limited by the technology available.
Two of the most common types of nbn technologies are fibre to the premises (FTTP) and fibre to the node (FTTN).
Services running on FTTP technology tend to have the highest maximum speeds.
Learn more about FTTP and FTTN
If you’re unsure whether your premises is nbn ready, you can check your address online to determine the nbn's network availability in your area.
If there's no network availability on the nbn's network, or your business premises is not nbn ready, you’ll be shown alternative available connection types.
The speed of the nbn's network connection will influence your internet experience.
Some of the common things you might want to do as a business can rely on a higher nbn upload speed as well as download speeds. These include:
Higher upload and download speeds can help you be more productive. Learn more about why upload speeds matter for business.
Service providers show speeds in Mbps (megabits per second), using the typical maximum speed for the plan. Here is an example of how different speeds might meet different needs.
Explore how high speed internet can benefit your business.
Remember that several factors influence the speed you experience. These include in-premise set-up and wiring. Familiarise yourself with these simple tips to make sure your workplace Wi-Fi is well set up.
It’s worth looking into how your potential service provider approaches support. Capabilities can vary widely. What ongoing support does the provider offer? Who will support you and how can you access them? And is that in line with what’s important to you?
When you sign up with us for a new nbn connection, we conduct a pre-connection assessment to get you ready for installation, send you regular updates on your order progress, and check in with you after connection to ensure everything works as expected.
Once you’re up and running, you can get support from Telstra Business Specialists when you need it, in-store, over the phone and online. Plus, you’ll have access to 24/7 nbn tech support.
Different business internet services may come with different back up options. Check how the service provides reliability and resilience to minimise the impact of downtime. This is critical if your business relies on internet connectivity to carry out your day-to-day operations.
At Telstra, we offer 4G mobile backup with each business nbn plan (in areas with 4G mobile coverage.) In the event of a fault on the nbn's network, our Smart Modem can switch your service to the 4G mobile network automatically. We’ll switch your service back to the nbn's network when the fault is resolved.
For our customers on a business nbn plan, 4G mobile backup service is uncapped and unshaped when there’s a fault. This means there is no limit on data allowance or speed, and it's included in the plan, so you don't have to worry about additional charges.
The safety and privacy of your business and its data is a paramount concern. Check whether the service provider offers security measures such as two-step verification and 24/7 network monitoring.
Telstra’s industry-leading cyber security measures and expert security team helps stop cyber threats and scams before they even get to you. And we block millions of cyber threats every single day.
Internet plans come with either a dynamic IP address or a static IP address. A static IP address can be valuable for some types of businesses. They can help offer greater control, reliability and operational efficiency for specific types of internet applications.
Telstra’s business nbn plans come with the option to add on a static IP address for no extra fee. Explore the differences between dynamic and static IP addresses and consider if a static IP address is right for your business.
Business conditions can change rapidly, and you want the ability to change with them.
Look for nbn plans that offer the flexibility and scalability that allow you to adapt your service. Consider your needs today but also your projected growth. This way, you can avoid paying for a level of service you don't need, while also having access to bandwidth to support your growth and make your operations more efficient.
Choosing the right nbn plan for your business can be a challenge. There are many business internet options and many different service providers to consider. Having a clear understanding of what’s available to you, what your business needs, and how the options available meet those needs is a good first step.
nbn®, nbn co and other nbn® logos and brands are trademarks of nbn co limited and used under licence.
Originally published June 2023, updated July 2025.
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