I've been with ABB ever since FTTN became available in my area. And, I've had cause to deal with the help desk a number of times (never their issue, but NBN's) and they have always been unhurried and very helpful. Based in Morwell I think. When I was on FTTN about the best we could ever get (for years) was 37 down and about 13 up. It didn't vary all that much with time of day. About a year ago, it suddenly fell to around 10, and they were very quick to get me an NBN appointment for their techs to look at the line. In an amazing result, they actually pulled new copper through from the bottom of the street to the pit outside my house, and then my connection jumped to 47 or so down, and stayed there. My neighbours were all still on the old copper, and all suffering to various degrees.
When fibre became available a couple of months ago, I jumped immediately. It's amazing looking at a 930 speed test result connection. Generally it's much more capable than the site at the other end. I've been recommending ABB to everyone around me. It's interesting that Telstra have actually told a couple of them that to get the free fibre upgrade that they'll have to commit for 18 months. Jump to ABB (or just about anyone but Telstra)!
My understanding is that much of the recent pricing increase has been driven by NBN's changing of their pricing. Basically, they have made the slower (50 meg or so) plans much more expensive, whilst reducing the prices on the fast plans. When there's $20 between relatively slow and super fast, why would anyone go slow?