Optus is now one of the most expensive NBN 50 providers

Optus has increased prices for its NBN 25 and NBN 50 plans by as much as $6 per month, but only for new customers. Existing Optus customers on an NBN 25 and NBN 50 plan will continue to pay their current rate.

The new pricing means Optus' NBN 25 plan starts at $70 per month, up from $69 per month. NBN 50 plans start at $85 per month, up from $79 per month. This makes it one of the most expensive NBN providers for NBN 50.

NBN 50 plans are the most popular internet option in Australia, according to the ACCC, making up 52% of the market.

The same $6 increases applies to Optus' "Entertainer" NBN 50 plan, which includes a standard Netflix subscription and a WiFi extender. It's now billed at $105 per month, up from $99.

Optus does however have new promos on both plans. Customers will pay $75 per month for the first six months of Optus' standard NBN 50 plan, and $85 per month for the first six months of its Entertainer plan.

Even with the discount, Optus' NBN 50 plans are now among the priciest in the speed tier.

NBN 50 plans start at under $55 per month with promotional offers. Tangerine, for example, charges $54.90 per month for the first six months, and $69.90 per month thereafter. The $75 price point is fairly common for non-discounted plans, however.

Optus' non-discounted price of $85 per month makes it more expensive than Aussie Broadband, and on equal footing with Vodafone. Vodafone does however slash $15 per month of NBN fees for existing mobile customers.

Telstra is currently the only major NBN provider with a more expensive NBN 50 plan than Optus, currently charging $95 per month (but discounted to $90 per month for the first six months).

Optus' main point of difference on its standard NBN 50 plan is 4G backup, a feature which is also offered by Telstra, Vodafone, TPG, and iiNet.

Here's how NBN 50 plans compare:

Optus NBN plans are contract-free, but customers must pay out a hardware fee if they leave within the first 36 months. This is equivalent to $8.50 for each month left in the three-year term on a standard NBN 50 plan, or $14.50 per month for an Entertainer plan.

An Optus spokesperson told Reviews.org the telco has seen internet usage surge over the last three years.

"Optus is paying more to supply that NBN service and it is necessary for us to adjust our in-market NBN prices accordingly," said the spokesperson. "This means a price increase of $1 for any new customers on our 25Mbps NBN home internet plan and $6 for any new customers on our 50Mbps NBN home internet plan."

Optus reviews the price of its NBN plans annually.