Why you're probably paying too much for internet that's too slow

​There’s no two ways about it, things are getting expensive lately. Once more, inflation has raised its ugly head and we’re all feeling the strain in all sorts of unexpected places. And while the higher cost of living in this sun-burnt country usually leads to a higher quality of life, there are some things we just simply pay more for than we should.

In many ways, the concept of the “Australia Tax” is very real; the idea that we tend to have higher prices for goods and services in Australia than the equivalent costs in comparative overseas nations. When you shop around online, and find yourself on US-based online retailers in particular, that reality becomes stark. But this issue affects far more than just the price of goods shipped from overseas, it has an insidious effect on many of the services and bills we pay on a monthly basis.

A classic example of this: Australian internet. While we’ve made leaps and bounds in the past decade in providing high speed internet access across the country, as of time of writing, Australia’s internet speeds rank 74th in the world. But it’s not like we’re paying our ISPs an amount that reflects this statistic. For whatever reason, Aussies pay top dollar for service that simply does not match up to the norm for a nation as developed as we are.

Before we resign ourselves to simply make do, and accept the NBN connection we have (and for some of us, only recently acquired) for another year, it's good to take a look at the alternatives available to you right now. Chances are, if you’re living or working in a metropolitan area, you could be paying less, and getting a whole lot more. You may just have to step out of your comfort zone, and try out one of the new kids on the block: GigaComm.

Who are GigaComm?

GigaComm are (in their own words) “an independent provider of managed network services”. Essentially, they’re a new, locally owned ISP (Internet Service Provider) that are doing things a bit differently. Unlike traditional telcos and service providers, GigaComm avoids reliance on the nbn, and uses a fairly unique network of technologies to deliver their ultra high speed services. This means they are able to deliver speeds of up to 1000/100Mbps on their own network, and low latency connections with ping rates less than 5ms within Australia, which is huge for online gaming. This is because they aren't held back by throttling or congestion on overcrowded networks (like many other ISPs are).

On top of this, since they provide their own technology to deliver their services, they control their own pricing and are not subject to charges from the nbn like other providers are (who then pass those costs on to you).

How much does it cost?

For an idea of GigaComm’s current pricing model, take a look at the typical packages available to Apartment dwellers within their service area below. For more information on what this will look like for a house or office, check out their full list of plans and services.

Right now, GigaComm are currently offering $20 off per month for your first 6 months. This means that a GigaComm base plan (200/50 Mbps) would cost you just A$59per month. This is around $20 less than the most popular nbn plans and a whopping 4x the speed (standard rates at the moment are around $75 per month for 50/20 Mbps).

Looking pretty good? Here’s the one catch: It’s not available everywhere just yet, but their coverage area is constantly growing, and if you’re in Sydney or Melbourne, there’s a good chance you live or work within one of these areas.

Where is GigaComm available?

Gigacomm currently provides service only to specific metro areas in Sydney and Melbourne, with plans to expand their coverage over time. To see if GigaComm is available at your address, check availability on their website.

With all of this in mind, and with costs increasing in every facet of our lives, upgrading to faster internet is probably not at the top of your list of plans for 2023. This is where disruptive new tech like the kind used by GigaComm is going to play to your advantage.

As the newest contender for your connectivity costs, GigaComm are keen to get their foot in the door. They’re offering incredibly competitive rates for their mixed-technology service plans, so if you fall within one of their service areas (as shown above), you could be getting drastically faster internet speeds for less than what you are currently paying.

All in all, GigaComm provides an impressive product, at a more-than-reasonable price. One drawcard that might prevent you from making the change though: Limited geographical availability. As an independently run ISP reliant on their own technology, the national roll-out is going to take some time. If you’re not in very specific suburbs of Sydney or Melbourne, this service won’t be available to you just yet. However if you do live in one of these areas, GigaComm is certainly worth taking a look at.

GigaComm services are subject to availability. Not available to every residence. Offer valid for new customers only on any of our FTTx plans on a 6-month contract. Installation cost separate for a no lock-in, month-to-month plan or $0 install cost on a 24-month plan. Not available with any other offer. Offer expires April 30 2022. GigaComm router sold separately for $125.​