telecom·saver

Our Methodology

telecom·saver compares Australian NBN broadband and mobile plans using publicly available pricing data and ACCC speed measurements. Here is exactly how every number is calculated.

1. Data Sources

NBN Plans: Plan pricing, speed tiers, contract terms, setup fees, and modem costs are sourced directly from ISP official websites. Data is checked daily by our automated plan_data_patrol.py scraper. Small changes (price adjustments, feature updates) are applied automatically; large changes trigger manual review via Telegram notification.

Mobile Plans: Plan data is sourced from provider websites for all 15 providers. This includes Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone (direct carriers) plus 12 MVNOs operating on their wholesale networks.

Speed Data: Typical evening speed figures come from the ACCC Measuring Broadband Australia (MBA) Report 31. The ACCC independently tests ISP performance during the busy evening period (7–11 PM) across all major speed tiers.

MVNO Network Map: Host network assignments for MVNOs are sourced from provider disclosure pages, ACMA carrier licence records, and verified against provider coverage maps.

2. NBN True Annual Cost

Most comparison sites show the monthly price. We calculate the true first-year cost:

Annual Cost = (monthly × 12) + setup_fee + modem_fee − (bundle_discount × 12)

If a plan has a promotional price for the first N months:

Annual Cost = (promo_price × promo_months) + (regular_price × (12 − promo_months)) + setup_fee + modem_fee

The effective monthly cost is simply the annual cost divided by 12. This gives a fair comparison even between plans with different promotional structures.

3. Mobile True Annual Cost — The 28-Day Problem

Many prepaid mobile plans bill on a 28-day cycle, not monthly. Most comparison sites treat this as monthly, understating the annual cost by approximately 8.7%.

We correctly annualise 28-day plans:

Cycles per year = 365.25 / 28 = 13.044643
Annual Cost = price_per_cycle × 13.044643

For monthly postpaid plans (30 or 31 day cycles), we use the standard × 12 calculation. The effective monthly cost normalises both to a per-month figure for fair comparison.

4. NBN Value Score

Each NBN plan receives a value score from 0 to 100 based on cost-effectiveness:

Cost per Mbps = annual_cost / typical_evening_speed
Value Score = weighted combination of cost_per_mbps (70%) + speed_grade (30%)

Speed grade is determined by how close the ACCC-measured evening speed is to the plan’s advertised download speed: A (≥90%), B (≥80%), C (≥70%), D (<70%).

5. MVNO Network Transparency

Why it matters: An MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) does not own network infrastructure. It leases capacity from Telstra, Optus, or TPG/Vodafone. The host network determines your actual coverage, speed caps, and 5G access.

For each MVNO we record: host MNO (mobile network operator), network tier (full or limited wholesale), coverage percentage, 4G/5G speed caps, and whether 5G access is available. This data is displayed alongside every mobile plan so you can make an informed comparison.

Example: Boost Mobile operates on the Telstra network with 98.8% population coverage and full 5G access. Amaysim operates on the Optus network with 95.0% coverage and no 5G access. Two MVNOs, very different networks.

6. Mobile Match Scoring

The “Find My Match” feature scores each plan against your stated needs across four dimensions:

Match Score = data_fit (40%) + network_match (25%) + price_fit (25%) + flexibility (10%)

Data fit checks whether the plan offers enough data and penalises massive overkill. Network match rewards plans on your preferred network. Price fit penalises plans exceeding your budget. Flexibility rewards eSIM, data rollover, WiFi calling, and no lock-in contracts.

7. Update Frequency

Plan pricing is checked daily by our automated patrol script. ACCC speed test data is updated when new MBA reports are published (approximately quarterly). MVNO network assignments are reviewed monthly or when carrier announcements are made.

8. Limitations

telecom·saver does not include enterprise or business-grade plans. Satellite-only area coverage details (e.g. Starlink regional specifics) are not modelled. Actual speeds at your address depend on NBN technology type, distance from node, and local congestion — ACCC data represents ISP-level averages, not per-address predictions.

Plan availability varies by address. Some NBN plans require specific technology types (FTTP, HFC, FTTC, FTTN) — check with your ISP for address-level availability.

ACCC CL2 Disclaimer — Telecom saver compares publicly available plan data from Australian broadband and mobile providers. Prices and features are verified regularly but may have changed since the last update. Check the provider website for current pricing before signing up. Recommendations are generated algorithmically based on your inputs. Telecom saver is not affiliated with any provider and does not receive commissions.