NBN & Internet · 15 July 2024

Cheap NBN, whats the catch? Buddy Telco | Dirt Report

Buddy Telco is a lower-cost NBN sub-brand from Aussie Broadband. It uses the same underlying NBN infrastructure and systems, but reduces costs by offering chat-based support rather than a traditional call centre. The main trade-off is potentially less direct assistance, although customers can manage and reset some connection functions themselves.

In this article

The short version

Key points

Buddy Telco is a sub-brand of Aussie Broadband and remains Australian owned and based through that ownership.
The service uses the same NBN network infrastructure and systems associated with Aussie Broadband.
Support is provided through chat, with limited support hours rather than a traditional phone-based call centre.
Prices shown in the video were lower than the equivalent Aussie Broadband plans, although some introductory prices increase after several months.
The value is strongest for technically confident customers who rarely need support and are comfortable managing connection issues themselves.

What is Buddy Telco?

Buddy Telco is a new sub-brand from Aussie Broadband aimed at customers looking for cheaper NBN service. The website and signup process are designed to be simple, and changing NBN providers generally does not require a technician to physically disconnect and reconnect cables at the premises.

The service is still Australian owned and based because it is owned by Aussie Broadband. It uses the same NBN infrastructure and systems, although it is presented as a lower-cost option with fewer support overheads.

The main trade-off is support

Buddy Telco does provide support, but it is chat-based rather than delivered through a conventional call centre. The video also notes that support hours are limited, with customers potentially needing to wait until the next day if an issue occurs outside those hours.

For some customers, chat support may be sufficient. It allows users to describe a problem in writing and continue the conversation over time. However, anyone who values immediate phone assistance may see the reduced support model as the main catch.

Buddy customers can also access functions that allow them to manage or reset parts of their connection themselves. These options are not necessarily unique to Buddy Telco, as similar controls are already available through the Aussie Broadband app and some other retail service providers.

How the prices compare

The video presents Buddy Telco pricing that was available at the time of recording. The NBN 25/10 plan was shown at $65 per month, compared with $79 for the equivalent Aussie Broadband plan. The 50/20 plan was listed at $75 per month, compared with $89 from Aussie Broadband.

The 100/20 plan was advertised at $75 per month for the first six months, then $85 per month. The video states that the comparable Aussie Broadband price was $95. The advertised service had an average evening download speed of 98 Mbps and upload speed of 16 Mbps.

For customers with a suitable Fibre to the Premises connection, the 1,000/50 plan was shown at $89 per month for the first three months, then $99 per month. Its typical evening speed was listed as 600 Mbps down and 41 Mbps up. The equivalent Aussie Broadband price was stated as $119 per month. These introductory periods and later prices are important, because the large advertised figure may not be the ongoing monthly cost.

Who is Buddy Telco best suited to?

The video suggests Buddy Telco may suit technically confident customers who do not want to rely heavily on their internet provider’s support team. It may also appeal to existing Aussie Broadband customers who have experienced reliable service and want to reduce their monthly bill without changing the underlying NBN network.

The price difference compared with other providers is less clear. When compared with providers already positioned around this price range, the saving may be only about $5 to $10 per month, depending on the plan. Customers should therefore compare ongoing prices, evening speeds, support options and their own tolerance for self-service before switching.

TechManPat’s conclusion

I think Buddy Telco is a sensible option for customers who rarely need support, are comfortable managing or resetting their own connection, and want to save money. The service appears to provide the same underlying Aussie Broadband NBN experience with fewer support facilities. However, I would compare it carefully with other low-cost providers, because the saving may be modest once introductory pricing ends and the reduced support may not suit everyone.

Source note

This knowledge-centre summary is based on the linked TechManPat video and reflects the information available when it was published. Check current pricing, availability and policies before acting.