NBN Upload Speeds Explained: NBN 100/20 vs. 100/40 vs. 500/50

The video you’ve edited (the one with “Version 5.abc1” at the end) has finally finished saving. It’s 20GB. And the client needs it. By the end of the day.  

You hit upload and... 3 hours remaining. 

It’s the creator curse. Everyone obsesses over download speeds, but upload speeds are what actually determine whether you make your deadline or send an apologetic "still uploading, sorry" message at the eleventh hour.  

A lot of NBN plans aren’t actually designed for content creators. Providers are obsessed with giving you massive download speeds to stream re-runs of vintage Simpsons. Upload speeds are just an afterthought to these people.  

That 20 Mbps upload speed means that downloading a 10GB file takes 13 minutes but uploading it FIVE TIMES as long.  

Scroll to break down what those numbers mean and whether upgrading to a higher-upload plan is worth it.

What is the deal with the upload gap?  

Most people download way more than they upload. 

Streaming Netflix? Downloading. Scrolling Instagram? Downloading. Loading websites? Downloading. Even video calls are mostly downloading (you're receiving everyone else's video streams).  

But if you're a content creator, the way you use the internet is the opposite. You're constantly uploading:  

• Rendered videos to YouTube, Vimeo, client portals 

• RAW photo libraries to the cloud  

• Project files to collaborators 

• Backups to Google Drive or Dropbox 

• Live streams to Twitch or Instagram  

NBN plans are asymmetrical by design. That means your upload speed is always lower than your download speed, sometimes dramatically lower. 

• NBN 50 gives you 50 Mbps download but only 20 Mbps upload. 

• NBN 100 gives you 100 Mbps download but still only 20 Mbps upload (unless you specifically get the 100/40 tier). 

This is called the "upload gap". It's why content creators and creative freelancers are the most frustrated group of NBN users.  

There’s speed… but it does nothing to speed up your workday. 

NBN Terminology: Punching in the Numbers 

Let's demystify what the numbers and speeds actually mean. 

What the slash means 

When you see NBN 100/20, the first number is download speed and the second is upload speed, both measured in Mbps (megabits per second).  

The higher the second number, the faster you can upload files. 

• NBN 100/20 = 100 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload 

• NBN 100/40 = 100 Mbps download, 40 Mbps upload 

• NBN 500/50 = 500 Mbps download, 50 Mbps upload 

Mbps vs MBps (this trips everyone up) 

• Mbps = megabits per second  

• MBps = megabytes per second (what your computer shows when uploading) 

There are 8 bits in a byte, so you need to divide the internet provider’s number by 8 to get the real-world speed. 

Example: 

20 Mbps upload speed ÷ 8 = 2.5 MBps actual upload speed 

So when you're uploading a 10GB file at "20Mbps," your computer shows it uploading at about 2.5MB per second. That's why it takes so long. 

Why this matters for creators

A 10GB video file contains 10,000 megabytes. 

• At 2.5 MBps upload speed, that's 10,000 ÷ 2.5 = 4,000 seconds = 67 minutes. 

• At 5 MBps (40Mbps plan), that's 10,000 ÷ 5 = 2,000 seconds = 34 minutes. 

• At 6.25 MBps (50Mbps plan), that's 10,000 ÷ 6.25 = 1,600 seconds = 27 minutes. 

• At 12.5 MBps (100Mbps plan), that’s 10,000 ÷ 12.5 = 800 seconds = 13 minutes. 

• At 10.8 MBps (Exetel’s The One plan, 86.5 Mbps), that’s 10,000 ÷ 10.8 = 926 seconds = 15.5 minutes. 

That's the difference between uploading during lunch versus uploading during your entire afternoon.  

What can these tiers actually do for me, my business and my bottom line?

Enough with the theory. Here are the actual upload times for common creator tasks. 

Scenario 1: YouTube Video Upload (10GB 4K video) 

In this scenario, NBN 50 and NBN 100 have the exact same upload time because they both cap at 20 Mbps upload.  

Paying more for download speed doesn't help you here.  

*Real world results may vary based on the nbn tech installed at your home and the devices you use.   

**Warp Speed 1000/100 typical evening speed 860/85 Mbps. 

Scenario 2: Cloud Backup (100GB of RAW photos) 

This is the difference between running a backup overnight versus babysitting it during a workday.  

*Real world results may vary based on the nbn tech installed at your home and the devices you use. 

**Warp Speed 1000/100 typical evening speed 860/85 Mbps. 

Scenario 3: Live Streaming to Twitch (1080p 60fps) 

Twitch recommends 6 Mbps upload for 1080p 60fps streaming. Here's how much headroom you have: 

If you're streaming while your partner is on a Zoom call and your smart home is doing its thing, that 20 Mbps plan is cutting it close. 

*Real world results may vary based on the nbn tech installed at your home and the devices you use. 

**Warp Speed 1000/100 typical evening speed 860/85 Mbps. 

Scenario 4: Client File Delivery (50GB project folder) 

When a client says "need this by 5pm" and it's 3pm, that difference matters. Plus, you’re just saving yourself from stress at the end of the day.   

*Real world results may vary based on the nbn tech installed at your home and the devices you use.   

**Warp Speed 1000/100 typical evening speed 860/85 Mbps. 

Choosing the right plan: Do any of these profiles seem like you?  

Not every creator needs the same upload speeds. Here's how to figure out what you actually need. 

Why Exetel's The One Plan Is Perfect for Creators 

Most NBN 500 plans give you 500 Mbps download but cap upload at 50Mbps. (Typical evening speed 500/40 Mbps). 

Exetel's The One does the same for $80/month (cheaper than the Aussie average of $85), but here's where it gets better:  

Warp Speed for massive uploads:

Need to upload a 100GB project folder by EOD? Hit Warp Speed for $1 per day, increase to 1000 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload for the day.* Upload that file in a few hours instead of double that (no, thanks!!), then switch back. Pretty good. *Typical evening speed: 860/85 Mbps. 

If everything is smart, your internet needs to keep up:  

It’s not about how many people live in your house anymore. That’s an outdated way to look at things. These days, it’s about how many things are connected at once.  

If you're a creator co-habitating with a partner or roommates, a 500 Mbps download means they can stream Rick and Morty, play multiplayer battles, and video chat to their heart’s content while you're uploading. And no one notices a slowdown.  

Finally, everyone wins.  

Get help for your hustle…. 

The "upload gap" is real, but now you know how to navigate it. Upgrade to fibre and you’ll experience smooth internet. For those currently stuck on old copper tech, moving to FTTP can also mean a more reliable and steady connection, not just faster speeds.  

Fast upload speeds mean much more than actually delivering content. It means happier clients, and actually getting paid on time… instead of a panicked email at 11pm.   

Switch to an internet provider that actually helps your hustle, today.