If you're hell bent on ultrafast internet, these two providers are currently offering NBN 1000 plans for just AU$85/m

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My head hurts.

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Last month I wrote that at this point, you probably don't need anything faster than NBN 500. And I stand by that: if you're on a FTTP or HFC connection and recently upgraded from NBN 50, NBN 100 or NBN 250 to 500 Mbps, then you might as well enjoy that (massive) speed increase while it still feels novel. You've probably suffered for years with crappy internet. Now that it's fast, and you're likely not paying any more for it, why not enjoy it before you become numb to the speed?

Because some people are speed demons, I suppose, and since NBN now offers plans with 2000 Mbps downloads, it's psychologically tough to cope with a "miserable" 500 Mbps. I'm not going to argue with you, but I will say this: NBN 1000 prices are so good right now that even I'm tempted to upgrade.

There are some minor differences between the two providers that actually see Swoop—the less prominent provider—come out marginally on top. Swoop has typical evening download speeds of 890 Mbps, while Superloop's is lower at 860 Mbps. Both boast 85 Mbps upload speeds.

Superloop Lightspeed | NBN 1000 | 860Mbps / 85Mbps TES | AU$85p/m

Superloop Lightspeed | NBN 1000 | 860Mbps / 85Mbps TES | AU$85p/m (first 6 months, then AU$109p/m ongoing)

If NBN 500 is already too slow for you, Superloop is offering its NBN 1000 plan for AU$85, which is about what you'd expect to pay for NBN 500 after introductory plans have elapsed. While it offers a maximum of 1000 Mbps uploads and 100 Mbps downloads, its evening speeds are lower at 860 / 85 Mbps. Still: you're going to notice the difference either way!

View Deal
Swoop | NBN 1000 | 890Mbps / 85Mbps TES | AU$85p/m

Swoop | NBN 1000 | 890Mbps / 85Mbps TES | AU$85p/m (first six months, then AU$109p/m)

And here's Swoop, offering pretty much the exact same deal—AU$85 for six months for NBN 1000—except their advertised typical evening download speed is 30 Mbps higher than Superloop's. Look: you might as well go with the fastest, but you may get some peace of mind going with the much more prominent brand.

View Deal

In both cases, you're looking at a bill of AU$1,164 for the first year, and then AU$1,308 every year after that. Or, you simply jump to another provider once the introductory price has elapsed: by that point, there may be a better deal offered by someone else.

Or maybe not? High speed internet prices have been pretty extraordinary for consumers since NBN's September upgrade. Chances are, once the dust settles, we'll stop seeing such steeply discounted introductory offers. Whatever the case, I've rounded up everything you need to know about NBN and gaming in Australia.

Note also that speeds of above NBN 100 are only available to FTTP and HFC-connected NBN customers. If you're still on FTTN, you're—I'm afraid—out of luck at this point, but hopefully due for an upgrade soon.

Shaun Prescott
Shaun Prescott
Australian Editor

Shaun Prescott is the Australian editor of PC Gamer. With over ten years experience covering the games industry, his work has appeared on GamesRadar+, TechRadar, The Guardian, PLAY Magazine, the Sydney Morning Herald, and more. Specific interests include indie games, obscure Metroidvanias, speedrunning, experimental games and FPSs. He thinks Lulu by Metallica and Lou Reed is an all-time classic that will receive its due critical reappraisal one day.

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