Telstra Launches Discounted NBN 500 Internet Plan

New customers can access high-speed internet at a reduced monthly rate for the first six months.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Telecommunications

Isometric editorial illustration of a fiber-optic cable coiled on a neutral surface, representing high-speed internet infrastructure. — Telstra has introduced a discounted NBN 500 internet plan in Australia, priced at AU$69 monthly for the first six months. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is now a good time to switch to a new internet provider for promotional savings?

Telstra has introduced a discounted NBN 500 internet plan priced at AU$69 per month for the initial six-month period. Following this promotional window, the cost rises to AU$99 per month for eligible subscribers.

Why it matters

The move provides a significant price reduction compared to the market average of AU$96.43 for similar high-speed tiers in Australia. By incentivising customers to use their own hardware, the company aims to capture a larger portion of the competitive broadband segment.

The plan requires an FTTP or HFC connection to reach the required NBN 500 speeds. Customers can opt for a Smart Modem 4 for an upfront cost of AU$360 or provide their own compatible hardware to maintain the discounted monthly rate.

The players

Telstra

Telstra is the largest telecommunications company in Australia and currently controls 35.2% of the wholesale NBN market share.

The details

Telstra is also offering a total of AU$240 in discounts across various other NBN plans throughout the promotion. To qualify for the lowest price, users must sign up before the cutoff date, and the offer is restricted to households with specific fiber or hybrid network capabilities.

27 October 2026: The internet plan promotion is announced.
2 November 2026: The promotional discount offer expires for new sign-ups.

The Tech Race

This move intensifies the competition for high-speed home internet subscribers in Australia as providers fight to differentiate their services. It reflects a wider shift in the telecommunications market where major incumbents utilise aggressive promotional pricing to replace legacy infrastructure connections with high-bandwidth tiers.

Households with FTTP or HFC connections can save significantly on high-speed internet bills by switching to this plan before the November deadline. Readers should note that they will need to pay AU$360 upfront if they do not already own a compatible modem for the service.

The takeaway

Potential subscribers should calculate their total costs over the first year to determine if the AU$99 monthly price point remains budget-friendly after the six-month discount ends. Using existing home networking hardware is the most effective way to ensure the monthly fee stays at the lower rate.