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Connecting to the internet

Connecting to the Internet

How to speed up your browsing and fix your internet troubles.

Now that we're all used to having the internet, all of the time, we really don't like it when it's taken away - even briefly! If your internet connection is dropping out, slowing down, or being otherwise less than stellar, we'll help you find the answers to your internet problems. It might be that you need a dual-band router, to give everyone in your household seamless connection, or maybe a new internet service provider (ISP) – check how yours compares on cost, speed, reliability and customer service.

Review and compare

Broadband provider performance Which ISPs deliver the broadband speeds they promise?

NBN modem-router reviews Review the results of tests on modem-routers from brands including TP-Link, D-Link, Asus, Netgear and more.

VPN service reviews We test VPN (virtual private network) services to see which offer the best privacy protection for internet browsing.

Wireless mesh network reviews A wireless mesh network can provide seamless network coverage in your home and help eliminate black spots.

NBN gateways reviews We test and review the basic modem-routers (gateways) from the top five NBN providers – iiNet, Internode, Optus, Telstra, and TPG.

Wireless router reviews We test and review NBN-ready 802.11ac wireless routers, including dual-band and tri-band models, to help you find the best one for your home network.

Wireless Wi-Fi range extender reviews A Wi-Fi extender can eliminate blackspots and increase the range of your home network.

Buying guides

Get your devices talking to each other Our buying guide to home networking equipment.

How to boost your home wireless network speed Find the right wireless router, mesh system or network extender for your home.

How to find the best VPN service Our expert guide to virtual private networks and online security.

Articles

How much is the telco customer service runaround costing us? Over $1 billion a year collectively, or about $46.50 for each issue.

Best NBN plans We compare the best performing NBN plans from Telstra, iiNet, TPG, and more by how close they get to their maximum speeds.

iiNet and TPG are the best NBN providers in Australia for 2019 Check out how they compare to other big name brands for speed and satisfaction.

Internet service provider satisfaction survey 2019 The results of our satisfaction survey will help you choose an internet service provider (ISP).

What is 5G and when can I get it? How fast will 5G be, when will we get it, and can it replace the NBN?

Measuring broadband provider performance How we get the numbers in the CHOICE Broadband Performance Program.

Understanding the NBN Frequently asked questions about the national broadband network.

NBN customer satisfaction survey The NBN promises a better internet experience, but the results of our survey show not all NBN connections are created equal.

D-Link PowerLine kit with passthrough review These network adapters turn your home wiring into a fast data network to rival Wi-Fi, and are the first to add a passthrough plug for extra convenience.

How ACMA tests NBN modem-routers We summarise the methods ACMA used to test and compare NBN modem-routers for FTTN and FTTB.

D-Link D-Fend AC2600 Wi-Fi Security Router review We try out the D-Link D-Fend which takes charge of privacy and protection of your home wireless network.

Netgear Nighthawk AX8 wireless router review We try out Netgear's new Nighthawk AX8 router, one of the first to use the new Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) wireless network standard.

Find the best place for your Wi-Fi router The location of your router can have a huge impact on how well your Wi-Fi works.

Internet connectivity and older Australians How widespread is the problem of digital literacy and confidence in Australia's senior citizens?

NBN complaints surge 204% Landline, mobile and internet complaints to the TIO all climbed in the second half of 2017.

ACCC reveals results of NBN testing And they're 'better than expected'.

More than 11,000 NBN customers to be compensated iiNet and Internode concede they likely misled their users.

Broadband performance measuring program FAQ CHOICE and Honesty Box have set up a broadband measuring program - here are the frequently asked questions.

As the NBN rollout continues, when will you get faster internet? We dig into the national broadband network rollout and its progress.

Home cabling for the NBN Don't overlook the all-important cables when you move to the NBN so you can bring the net to every room in your house.

NBN installation and connection: will you be ready for FTTP? Do your research so you know what to expect when disconnection day looms.

The NBN gets a standard for its quality and complaints handling Increased consumer protections could help customers get what they're paying for.

TPG will refund customers over slow NBN speeds Nearly 8000 customers will be eligible for refunds or have their contract cancellation fees waved.

ACCC says Optus misled 20,000 NBN customers The telco is being taken to Federal Court over a range of 'misleading' practices.

Optus likely misled 8700 NBN customers over internet speeds More than 20% of its 100/40Mbps users weren't getting speeds half as fast.

'Put the money back so I can pay my landlord': customers to Telstra's Belong A suspected glitch has overcharged customers, prompting them to swarm the internet provider's Facebook page.

Telstra to refund 42,000 NBN customers for slow speeds More than half of the customers with a 100Mbps connection are affected.

ACCC warns 5G could substitute NBN connections The upcoming mobile standard will disrupt the communications industry within the next three years, a yearlong investigation has found.

iiNet broadband review How does iiNet stack up as an internet service provider?

Optus broadband review How does Optus stack up as a mobile phone and NBN provider?

TPG broadband review How does TPG stack up as an NBN service provider?

Telstra broadband review How does Telstra stack up as a mobile phone and NBN provider?

Dodo broadband review How does Dodo stack up as an internet service provider?

MyRepublic broadband review How does MyRepublic stack up as an internet service provider?

iPrimus broadband review How does iPrimus stack up as an internet service provider?

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