Dial-up - internet uses an active phone line connection to connect to the internet. Whilst you are connected to the internet you will not be able to make calls on your home phone.
ADSL or ADSL2+ internet uses an active phone line connection to connect to the internet. You can use your home phone at the same time as being on the internet to make calls. ADSL is the slower of the two types of ADSL2+.
However, if your home hasn’t had a telephone line connected in the last 2-5 years, this will need to be connected again. This process can be expensive. After your phone line is connected, a monthly phone line rental fee will need to be paid in order to get and maintain an ADSL or ADSL2+ internet connection.
Naked ADSL, Naked ADSL2+ internet uses an existing phone line to connect to the internet. The reason it is called naked ADSL is that you do not have to pay the monthly phone line rental fee like ADSL and ADSL2+, and, that as the telephone line does not share the connection to your house, the internet speed is usually faster, and the connection is more stable.
However, if your home hasn’t had a telephone line connected in the last 2-5 years, this will need to be completed again. This process can be expensive. However once the phone line is installed you will not have to be monthly phone line rental fee to maintain your naked ADSL connection.
Cable internet uses a special cable to provide internet to your home. It does not rely on the phone line network, so it can be more reliable than ADSL services. However it is more expensive because it has its own special cable which means it will need to be installed into your home.
National Broadband Network (NBN) uses another type of special cable to connect superfast internet to your home. The NBN is currently available in select areas, as it is a nationwide Federal Government project that is scheduled to finish in 2021. If the NBN is rolled out in your area, you may be able to connect your home to the NBN for a low cost, depending on where you live. You can check whether your area is connected to the NBN here: NBN Roll out Map
Please note: Once the NBN has been rolled out in an area, all residents of this area generally have 18 months to connect to the NBN. Double check what's happening in your area on the NBN website.