- Best 5G home internet plans in Australia
- Can I get a 5G home internet plan?
- When will 5G internet be available in my area?
- How fast are 5G home internet plans?
- Which providers offer 5G home internet plans?
- What is 5G home internet?
- Can 5G home internet replace the NBN?
- What are the alternatives to 5G home internet plans?
- 5G home internet FAQs
One of the most exciting things to launch in recent years, 5G is changing the way we get online. Instead of relying on a fixed-line connection like the NBN, 5G can provide an entirely wireless internet solution with lightning-fast speeds using the same mobile towers that provide internet to our phones.
While 5G isn't everywhere yet, most Aussies can get a 5G home internet connection right now. It's faster than the older 4G home wireless internet and even faster than some NBN plans.
Before we dive deeper, here is the cheapest plan (with at least 30Mbps download speeds) from each provider in our database
|
#1
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (50Mbit)
$49/mth
Min. cost $74
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
iiNet
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#3
|
TPG
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#4
|
Vodafone
5G Home Internet Plus Plan
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday 5G
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Yomojo
5G Internet 50
$69.90/mth
Min. cost $69.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Telstra
5G Home Internet - 1TB
$85/mth
Min. cost $85
Link not supplied
|
Best 5G home internet plans in Australia
Best value 5G home internet Plan
|
#1
|
iiNet
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#2
|
TPG
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
It's a tie between iiNet and TPG for best value 5G home internet plan. iiNet, TPG and SpinTel each offer $10 off their plans for the first six months. But once you factor in the end of the discounts and upfront cost of delivering SpinTel's modem ($25) iiNet and TPG emerge as the clear winners.
Best value uncapped 5G home internet Plan
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband
$79/mth
Min. cost $104
Link not supplied
|
When it comes to the best uncapped 5G home internet plan for value, SpinTel's plan can't be beat.
It reports download speeds of up to 240Mbps (higher than Optus' speeds by 30Mbps) and ends up being cheaper by $5 over 12 months than Optus' plan. It's also worth noting that Optus locks you into staying for 36 months with a credit for its modem each month. If you leave before 36 months are up, you pay a $13 fee for every month remaining.
Can I get a 5G home internet plan?
To get 5G home broadband, you need to be within a telco's 5G footprint. Check the map below to view 5G coverage in your area.
This map will show you what kind of coverage you have in your area. 5G coverage is highlighted using the darkest shade of purple, but unticking 4G and 3G can help make it clearer. The drop-down menu lets you choose between telcos.
Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.
You can also check coverage at your address by using WhistleOut's coverage checker.
All you need to do is enter your address under Coverage Check, hit Search, and then our database will present a message letting you know if you have coverage or not.
"The majority of 5G home internet providers won't charge you for the 5G home wireless modem. Instead, they'll require you to return it in 'good working condition' if you don't stay connected with them. This is usually over a period of 24 or 36 months."
"If you cancel the plan during that period and don't return the modem, or return it in a damaged condition you may need to pay a fee."
Dylan Crismale, Digital Content Editor
When will 5G internet be available in my area?
Most of Australia's major city centres already have access to the 5G network. Network operators are in the process of expanding the network into more areas but it will take time.
5G availability doesn't guarantee access to 5G home internet. For example, it's Telstra's policy to only sell a certain number of plans per postcode in order to reduce the risk of congestion.
How fast are 5G home internet plans?
5G WiFi network technology has achieved speeds of well over 1Gbps in lab tests, but in reality, average data transfer speeds depend on several factors.
- Your plan, some 5G plans have speed caps of 50Mbps or 100Mbps
- Your coverage
- Any obstacles between you and the nearest 5G tower
- Congestion - more devices trying to connect can slow the service down
When you compare 5G to 4G, it does travel a shorter distance, especially at very high frequencies, and can have a hard time penetrating walls.
Capped plans naturally max out at 50Mbps or 100Mbps, as written on the tin, but there's a lot more variance when it comes to uncapped options.
5G home internet plans by speed
Compare 5G home internet plans in WhistleOut's database by speed:
If you decide to choose a plan capped at 50Mbps, this means it's the equivalent of NBN 50, however, you may experience
slightly slower speeds during peak hours. This is a great option if you're either conscious of the price
or you know you won't use over 50Mbps.
Here's pricing for 5G home internet plans capped at 50Mbps:
|
#1
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (50Mbit)
$49/mth
Min. cost $74
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
iiNet
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#3
|
TPG
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#4
|
Vodafone
5G Home Internet Plus Plan
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday 5G
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Yomojo
5G Internet 50
$69.90/mth
Min. cost $69.90
Link not supplied
|
If you choose a plan capped at 100Mbps, this means it's the equivalent of an NBN 100 plan, however, you may
experience slightly slower speeds during peak hours. This is a great option for households with multiple
members who regularly connect to the internet at the same time.
Here's pricing for 5G home internet plans capped at 100Mbps:
|
#1
|
TPG
5G Home Broadband Premium
$54.99/mth
Min. cost $54.99
|
|
#2
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (100Mbit)
$59/mth
Min. cost $84
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
iiNet
5G Home Broadband Premium
$59.99/mth
Min. cost $59.99
|
|
#4
|
Vodafone
5G Home Internet Premium Plan
$60/mth
Min. cost $60
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Yomojo
5G Internet 100
$75.90/mth
Min. cost $75.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday Fast 5G
$79/mth
Min. cost $79
Link not supplied
|
Telstra, Optus, Yomojo and SpinTel currently offer uncapped plans. These can go as fast as network conditions allow but exact speeds will depend on your coverage and congestion. Generally, though we have found 200Mbps is a pretty safe average.
|
#1
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband
$79/mth
Min. cost $104
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
5G Home Internet - 1TB
$85/mth
Min. cost $85
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Optus
Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G
$89/mth
Min. cost $89
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Yomojo
5G Internet Max
$95.90/mth
Min. cost $95.90
Link not supplied
|
At the time of writing, Optus' typical evening speeds (between the times of 7pm and 11pm) are as follows:
- Everyday 5G: 45/11Mbps
- Everyday Fast 5G: 87/15Mbps
- Entertainer Superfast 5G: 210/20Mbps
Telstra says its 5G internet customers should expect download speeds up to 300during busy hours, and upload speeds of up to 36Mbps.
Vodafone, TPG and iiNet's 5G home broadband plans quote typical evening speeds of 50Mbps and 100Mbps on each of their two speed tiers. Each has upload speeds of 15Mbps.
Which providers offer 5G home internet plans?
The number of providers selling 5G internet plans has grown steadily over the last few years. At the time of writing there are seven providers in WhistleOut's database offering 5G internet plans including:
Note: Internode and
Westnet used to provide home internet plans over 5G but were shut down by the TPG
group.
SpinTel and Yomojo's home internet plans are powered by Optus's 5G network, while iiNet and TPG's plans are powered by Vodafone's 5G network.
5G home internet plan prices start as low $49 per month and can cost up to $96 per month. The price you pay depends on your provider and your choice of speed.
Nowadays, 5G home internet comes in three different speed tiers - capped up to 50Mbps, capped up to 100Mbps, and uncapped. The first two are your cheaper options. See a quick breakdown of which speed tiers each provider offers:
| Provider | 50Mbps cap | 100Mbps cap | Uncapped |
|---|---|---|---|
| iiNet | |||
| Optus | |||
| SpinTel | |||
| Telstra | |||
| TPG | |||
| Vodafone | |||
| Yomojo |
Here's a better breakdown of the 5G home internet plans on offer from each of the eight providers in our database.
Optus 5G home internet plans
Optus is the only one of the big three telcos to offer 5G home internet plans in three speed tiers including an
uncapped one.
View Optus' plans:
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday 5G
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
Link not supplied
|
Your 5G home wireless modem is free if you stay with Optus for 36 months. If you decide to leave you'll need to pay a modem fee equivalent to $13 for each month left in your three-year term (maximum total cost $468).
You can get out of this fee if your 5G internet plan doesn't meet Optus' satisfaction guarantee. If you can prove that your download speeds are slower than 40Mbps or 50Mbps (depending on your plan) and Optus can't help you improve these then you can return your modem in "good working order", at no additional cost to you.
TPG 5G home internet plans
TPG offers two 5G home internet plans:
|
#1
|
TPG
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#2
|
TPG
5G Home Broadband Premium
$54.99/mth
Min. cost $54.99
|
TPG will not charge you anything for the 5G home wireless modem if you stay connected for 36 months. It needs to be returned in "good working condition" within 21 days if you cancel your service.
If you fail to return it in that condition you'll need to pay $17 per month remaining in the 36-month period (total maximum cost $612).
TPG's 5G internet plans run on the Vodafone network.
iiNet 5G home internet plans
See iiNet's two 5G home internet plans:
|
#1
|
iiNet
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#2
|
iiNet
5G Home Broadband Premium
$59.99/mth
Min. cost $59.99
|
iiNet offers the same 5G home wireless modem terms as TPG including a 21-day return period and a maximum total cost of $612 if you fail to return it in "good working condition".
TPG's 5G internet plans run on the Vodafone network.
SpinTel 5G home internet plans
Spintel is one of just a couple of smaller telcos that offer three 5G plans including one with uncapped speeds.
|
#1
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (50Mbit)
$49/mth
Min. cost $74
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (100Mbit)
$59/mth
Min. cost $84
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband
$79/mth
Min. cost $104
Link not supplied
|
SpinTel will loan you the Nokia FastMile 5G modem to go with your plan.
The modem needs to be returned in "good working condition" within 21 days of cancelling your plan or you'll be charged the retail value of the modem ($935).
SpinTel's 5G internet plans run on the Optus network.
Telstra 5G home internet plans
Telstra offers just one uncapped 5G home internet plan.
|
Telstra
5G Home Internet - 1TB
$85/mth
Min. cost $85
Link not supplied
|
Like Optus, the Telstra 5G Internet 2 modem is included for free in your plan but you'll need to stick with Telstra for 24 months. If you leave before then you'll need to return your modem in "good working order". If you don't return the modem in that condition you'll need to need to pay a $400 non-return fee.
It's important to note that Telstra has 1000GB of included data. Once that allowance is used up you won't be charged a fee but you will find your speeds throttled down to 25Mbps. That's the equivalent of an NBN 25 plan.
Vodafone 5G home internet plans
Vodafone offers three 5G home internet plans:
|
#1
|
Vodafone
5G Home Internet Basic Plan
$50/mth
Min. cost $50
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Vodafone
5G Home Internet Plus Plan
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone
5G Home Internet Premium Plan
$60/mth
Min. cost $60
Link not supplied
|
Vodafone's modem is also free when you stay signed up for 36 months. If you decide to leave early you'll need to return the modem in "good working order" or pay $17 per month for each month remaining (total maximum cost $612).
It's worth noting that Vodafone's cheapest 5G home internet plan, while cheap is not a great option. Its download speeds are capped to just 20Mbps, which is the same as most 4G home internet plans.
If you have an active phone plan with Vodafone than you can save $5 per month.
Yomojo 5G home internet plans
Yomojo also offers three 5G internet plans including one with uncapped speeds.
|
#1
|
Yomojo
5G Internet 50
$69.90/mth
Min. cost $69.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Yomojo
5G Internet 100
$75.90/mth
Min. cost $75.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Yomojo
5G Internet Max
$95.90/mth
Min. cost $95.90
Link not supplied
|
As with other 5G home broadband providers, Yomojo will provide a modem for free on the condition you stay signed up for 24 months. If you leave you'll need to return the modem in "good working condition". The modem is valued at $456, if you leave early, you'll need to pay the cost of $19 for each month remaining.
Yomojo's 5G internet plans run on the Optus network.
What is 5G home internet?
A 5G home internet plan (also known as 5G home broadband or 5G wifi) is a type of internet connection that uses 5G signals from nearby mobile towers to get you online.
When it comes to 5G vs the NBN, 5G home internet plans are designed as alternatives to the NBN or other fixed-line internet connections. They tend to have large data allowances - 1TB or unlimited, and they are designed to be used at home rather than on the go.
The modem bundled with your plan requires a constant source of power. You can't just use one on the train as you would with a personal hotspot. However, you can plug your modem in at a new location (or in a different room) you can get back online instantly.
Furthermore, 5G home broadband plan modems are fuller-featured devices compared with a personal hotspot. You can expect to find multiple Ethernet ports, USB ports, and robust antennas to maximise performance.
Can 5G home internet replace the NBN?
A 5G home internet connection will certainly replace individual NBN connections, but it won't necessarily replace the need for the NBN. Fixed line networks such as the NBN have a much larger capacity than wireless networks like 5G, and as such, are more resistant to issues such as congestion. For example, Telstra says there's a limit to how many 5G home internet services it will sell per postcode to ensure good performance for every customer.
However, larger spectrum availability - especially in the higher frequencies used for mmWave 5G - will help make 5G a more viable alternative to NBN. The greater amount of spectrum a telco holds, the less chance of congestion, which is especially important when trying to replace a fixed line connection.
One other aspect to consider is price. With wholesale NBN price changes NBN 50 plans are getting more expensive. After deals are applied there are now several 5G home wireless plans available (even at 100Mbps) that are cheaper than some NBN 50 plans. At the same time NBN 100 plan and higher plan prices are lowering. This makes it even more worth it to compare options between the two.
If you're tossing up between 5G and NBN, here are some of the cheapest NBN 100 plans in our database that come with a typical evening speed of at least 95Mbps:
|
#1
|
MATE
No Worries nbn 100/20
$60/mth
Min. cost $60
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Southern Phone
nbn Fast
$65/mth
Min. cost $65
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
SpinTel
NBN Unlimited Premium 100
$65/mth
Min. cost $65
|
|
#4
|
Moose NBN
nbn 100/20 Elite
$65.80/mth
Min. cost $65.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Kogan Internet
Gold Unlimited
$65.90/mth
Min. cost $65.90
|
|
#6
|
Tangerine Telecom
Speedy NBN
$65.90/mth
Min. cost $65.90
|
|
#7
|
Exetel
Family nbn100/20
$65.99/mth
Min. cost $65.99
|
|
#8
|
amaysim
Unlimited nbn Fast As
$70/mth
Min. cost $70
Link not supplied
|
|
#9
|
Swoop
nbn® Home Fast
$72/mth
Min. cost $72
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
Buddy Telco
Speedy nbn - Unlimited
$73/mth
Min. cost $73
|
What are the alternatives to 5G home internet plans?
If you can't get 5G home internet but don't want NBN, you can consider 4G home internet. Here are a few plans:
|
#1
|
TPG
Home Wireless Broadband
$44.99/mth
Min. cost $44.99
|
|
#2
|
iiNet
Home Wireless Broadband
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone
4G Home Internet Unlimited
$50/mth
Min. cost $50
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
SpinTel
4G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (25Mbit)
$53.95/mth
Min. cost $69.95
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Yomojo
4G Internet 25
$55.90/mth
Min. cost $55.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday Basic 4G
$59/mth
Min. cost $59
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Kogan Internet
4G Home Internet Plan
$149.70
Link not supplied
|
Alternatively, you can look into how home wireless broadband compares to mobile broadband and home wireless broadband vs NBN.
5G home internet FAQs
Do I need a modem for 5G home internet?
Yes, all of these plans require a 5G modem. You will need to use the modem supplied by your provider to use your connection.
Do 5G home internet plans come with a phone line?
No, 5G home internet plans don't include a phone line. As such, you'll need to use your mobile to make phone calls.
Is 5G home internet portable?
No, unfortunately, 5G home internet is not offered as a portable internet solution. In some cases trying to use it as such may violate the terms of service. Most providers require you to only use your 5G home wireless service at your nominated home address. Some modems may even be geolocked.
If you are moving homes, reach out to your provider to see if 5G is available in the area you're moving to and if you're able to keep your plan.
For a portable internet service consider a mobile broadband plan with an internet dongle.
Is 5G home internet unlimited?
Most 5G internet providers offer unlimited data plans. Telstra is the only exception, where you'll have a monthly allowance of 1TB.
Is Telstra or Optus 5G home internet better?
Read our guide on how Telstra and Optus 5G internet plans compare to see which is best for you.
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Alex Choros
Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.
Throughout his career as a journalist, Alex has covered international trade shows, spent three years co-hosting a tech show on community radio, and was awarded a highly commended in the Best Reviewer category of the 2018 IT Journalism awards and the 2021 IT Journalism awards. His work contributed to WhistleOut Australia winning the Best Consumer Technology Coverage award in the 2023 IT Journalism Awards.
He has regularly contributed to Gizmodo and Lifehacker, and he often pops up on 2GB and the Money Magazine podcast to talk telco. On weekends, you'll find Alex at a wine bar, on a hike, or in the middle of a mosh pit.
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