A Simple Guide To Choosing The Right NBN Plan
The holiday season is when homes get a little louder, and the internet works a lot harder. More devices come out, streaming ramps up and suddenly everyone wants to be on the WiFi at the same time. Between video calls with family interstate or overseas, Christmas movies and a surge in online shopping, December pushes home internet in ways most of us don’t notice until the buffering begins.
And with more multi-generational households under one roof at this time of year, some Australians discover their usual plan just doesn’t keep up. The good news is that you don’t need an expensive, long-term upgrade. Many providers now let you increase your speed for the busy period and switch back later. No lock-in, no fuss.
Here’s a simple guide to keeping your home connected smoothly all summer.
Why Your Internet Slows Down in December
Even if your NBN is perfectly fine most of the year, the holiday period creates a perfect storm:
- More devices running at once (laptops, phones, consoles, tablets, smart TVs).
- HD and 4K streaming use far more bandwidth than standard definition.
- Video calls rely heavily on upload speeds, not just download.
- Grandkids gaming online need strong WiFi and low latency!
So, while a basic NBN 25 plan may suit one or two people, it can quickly struggle when the house is full.
The ‘Holiday Internet Checklist’
Here are four simple things to check before everyone arrives:
| What to Check | Why It Matters | Quick Fix |
| Current speed | May be too slow for holiday usage | Consider NBN500 |
| Upload speed | Crucial for video calls | Aim for at least 10Mbps |
| WiFi coverage | Dead zones slow everyone down | Place modem centrally |
| Data limits | Streaming eats data quickly | Choose unlimited data |
“December is one of the busiest months for home internet, and many households don’t realise how much demand things like HD streaming and video calls can add,” Liam Bal, CEO, SpinTel said. “A plan that handles everyday use may not cope when everyone’s visiting, so a seasonal speed change can make a big difference.”
Understanding NBN Speeds in Plain English
Forget the jargon, here’s what matters:
| NBN Plan | Best for | Estimated Monthly Cost* |
| NBN 25 | One to two people/web browsing | Low |
| NBN 50 | Couples/light streaming | Moderate |
| NBN 500 | Families/4+ devices/supporting visiting friends and family. | Higher but often discounted |
*Based on current SpinTel pricing – check website for current discounted offers.
Are Faster Plans Worth It?
Usually yes, especially if you can switch back later.
Many Australians don’t realise they can move up to a faster speed for the holiday period and downgrade once things quieten down. Providers like SpinTel allow simple, contract-free plan changes, so you only pay for higher speeds when you actually need them.
What About Wi-Fi Range?
If parts of your home have slow or weak Wi-Fi, try:
- Positioning the modem centrally
- Keeping it off the ground
- Avoiding cupboards and TV cabinets
- Asking your provider about WiFi boosters for larger homes
Final Holiday Tips
Before everyone arrives, it’s worth:
- Running a quick online speed test (search “NBN speed test”)
- Checking whether your router is more than 3–4 years old
- Moving to an unlimited-data plan to avoid bill shock
About SpinTel
SpinTel is one of the largest privately-owned ISPs in Australia, established in 1996 offering both residential and business telecommunication services including congestion-free NBN, wireless Internet, cloud-based PBX, and SIM-only mobile plans at affordable rates. SpinTel’s mobile, mobile broadband and wireless broadband plans are powered by the Optus Mobile Network. SpinTel is awarded as Australia’s best provider across Mobile, NBN, Internet and Broadband by WhistleOut, Product Review, Canstar Blue, Finder and Money Magazine. SpinTel is one of the most popular Australian ISPs on ProductReview with a rating of 4.4 from over 10,400 reviews.
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