What is wireless internet?
Wireless internet (also known as home wireless broadband, 5G internet, or 4G internet) is a type of connection that uses 4G and 5G signals from nearby mobile towers to get you online.
Wireless internet plans are designed as alternatives to the NBN or other fixed-line connections. Most have unlimited data allowances, and they're designed to be used at home rather than on the go.
How do I compare wireless internet plans?
When comparing wireless internet plans, these are the key factors you should consider.
Speed
There are four core wireless internet speeds to pick from. 4G internet is the slowest, type of wireless internet, with speeds maxing out at either 20Mbps or 25Mbps, depending on the provider. 5G internet plans have three unofficial speed tiers: 50Mbps, 100Mbps, and uncapped. 50Mbps and 100Mbps are the equivalent to NBN 50 and NBN 100, while uncapped plans can go as fast as network conditions allow. In our testing, we've seen speeds over 400Mbps on an uncapped plan.
As with NBN, your speed determines how much your wireless internet plan costs each month. 4G plans will also be cheaper than faster 5G plans. Most households should comfortably get by with a 50Mbps or 100Mbps 5G internet plan. These plans also tend to represent the best value.
Typical evening speeds
While wireless internet plans can be grouped by speeds, performance varies from provider to provider - especially during peak hours. As such, wireless internet providers disclose what kind of download speeds you can expect from your connection during busy hours. These are known as typical evening speeds. The faster your plan's typical evening speeds, the more reliable it will be during the busiest hours of the day.
Data allowance
Most wireless internet plans have unlimited data, regardless of whether you're looking at 4G or 5G. Telstra is the one exception; its 5G home internet plan has a 1TB allowance. If you go over this, you'll be capped to speeds of 20Mbps. While 1TB should be more than enough for the average internet user, heavy downloads will need to consider a 1TB allowance is right for them.
If you still need a home phone
If you still need a home phone, wireless internet won't be the best choice for you. At this time, no wireless internet plans support a home phone. This means you'll only be able to use a mobile phone to make calls.
Contract length
Wireless internet plans with a contract are very rare, but in some cases, you may need to return your modem or pay a hardware fee if you leave within your first two or three years.
Coverage
Unlike the NBN, wireless internet isn't available to everyone. You need to have either 4G or 5G coverage at your premises to ensure a connection. Most Australians should be able to get 4G home internet, but not everyone can get 5G home internet yet. In addition, some telcos will only sell a certain number of 5G plans in each suburb, to ensure that every customer gets a reliably fast connection.
The good news is most 5G internet providers offer a free trial for the first month (or a coverage guarantee). As such, if 5G home internet doesn't work well in your house or location for whatever reason, you're not trapped with a poor connection.
Compare wireless internet plan speeds
With most wireless internet providers offering unlimited data, speed is the most important factor to consider when picking a 4G or 5G home internet plan. The more people online in your house, the faster your plan will need to be. This is because your internet speed is shared by everyone in your household.
In general, 50Mbps tends to be the sweet spot between value and speed. Internet lovers and larger households may want to consider 100Mbps or faster, however.
Here's how each wireless internet plan speed bracket compares:
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4G wireless internet to 25Mbps download speed, up to 2Mbps upload speed.
- Suits single-person households or very low-use households for occasional basic tasks like browsing web pages and social media.
-
50Mbps 5G wireless internet Up to 50Mbps download speed, up to 15Mbps upload speed.
- This is a good value option for medium-use internet households without too many devices.
-
100Mbps 5G wireless internetUp to 100Mbps download speed, up to 15Mbps upload speed.
- Comfortable for most moderate to high-use households of three to four people.
-
Uncapped 5G wireless internetUp to 900Mbps download speed, up to 110Mbps upload speed.
- Great for bigger households with heavy internet users and many devices.
What are the fastest wireless internet providers?
The fastest wireless internet providers are those that offer uncapped 5G plans. These include Telstra, Optus, SpinTel, and Yomojo. Telstra currently reports the fastest typical evening speeds on its 5G home internet plan. Here are uncapped 5G home internet plans, sorted by speed:
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#1
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Telstra
5G Home Internet - 1TB
$85/mth
Min. cost $85
Link not supplied
|
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#2
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband
$79/mth
Min. cost $104
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Yomojo
5G Internet Max
$95.90/mth
Min. cost $95.90
Link not supplied
|
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#4
|
Optus
Editor's Pick
Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G
$89/mth
Min. cost $89
Link not supplied
|
What are typical evening speeds?
Typical evening speeds refer to the slowest download speeds you should receive during each day's most congested time period. Much in the same way that traffic on the road can slow down during peak hours, wireless internet plans can too.
Wireless internet connections tend to slow down in the evenings when everyone is jumping online to stream, download, and more. Peak times are defined as between 7pm and 11pm. When a provider discloses their "typical evening speed" for a plan, they're referring to the download speeds you can expect during these times.
Evening speeds vary from provider to provider, so they're important to take into account when choosing a plan.
How to switch to wireless internet
Switching to wireless internet is easier than you think. To switch, simply follow these steps:
- Research 4G and 5G internet plans and find the best one for your household.
- Choose your plan, and do the coverage check to ensure you're in an eligible area
- If eligible, order your plan.
- Wait. Your provider will send you a modem, which you'll need to start using your new connections.
- When your modem arrives, follow the steps enclosed.
Once your wireless internet is set up, you'll need to cancel your old internet plan.
Are there any costs when switching to a wireless internet plan?
Early Termination Fees
If you're still locked into a contract on your old plan, you may be charged an Early Termination Fee.
Finalising Modem Costs
If you purchased a modem with your old plan and didn't pay outright for it, you will need to pay the remaining balance. Some providers may require you to return the unit, regardless of if you purchased it outright. They will reimburse you for the cost of the unit.
Remaining balance
If you have any payments outstanding for the month on your old plan, these will need to be paid to settle your account.
Do I need a new modem for a wireless internet plan?
All wireless internet plans come with a new modem. You will need this modem to connect to your service. You can't use your own modem with wireless internet plans, but you can connect it to your own router if you want to use mesh, for example.
Popular wireless internet providers
Only a few providers sell wireless internet plans. Here's a look at your options:
Optus wireless internet plans
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#1
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Optus
Optus Plus Everyday Basic 4G
$59/mth
Min. cost $59
Link not supplied
|
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#2
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday 5G
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday Fast 5G
$79/mth
Min. cost $79
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Optus
Editor's Pick
Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G
$89/mth
Min. cost $89
Link not supplied
|
Optus offers both 4G and 5G home wireless broadband plans. Its 4G plans include:
- Optus 4G network coverage with download speeds capped to 25Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Home wireless modem
Optus' 5G plans include:
- 50Mbps, 100Mbps, or uncapped 5G speeds
- Unlimited data
- Home wireless modem
Optus' 4G home wireless internet plan is contract-free, however, you will need to pay a modem fee if you leave in your first 24 months. This is equivalent to $9 multiplied by the number of months left in your two-year period.
Similarly, Optus' 5G home internet plans are contract-free, but you'll need to pay a modem fee if you leave in your first 36 months. This is equivalent to $16 multiplied by the number of months left in your three-year term.
Telstra wireless internet plans
|
Telstra
5G Home Internet - 1TB
$85/mth
Min. cost $85
Link not supplied
|
Telstra currently has just one home wireless internet plan, powered by its 5G network.
Telstra's 5G network has the widest reach, covering 85% of the population. While not everyone can get Telstra 5G yet, it's the most widely available option if you're trying to get a 5G internet connection.
Telstra 5G home wireless internet is contract-free, so if you're not happy with the service, you can always leave. If you leave within the first 24 months, return your 5G modem within 21 days to avoid a non-return fee.
Telstra also sells a WiFi Booster that extends the range of its 5G modem if you live in a larger house. This will add $12 per month onto your monthly bill for 24 months, or cost you $288 outright. If a single WiFi Booster doesn't fix your connectivity issues, Telstra will send you up to three additional WiFi Boosters at no extra charge.
You'll just need to ensure you return your modem if you leave within your first 24 months, to avoid paying an exit fee.
TPG wireless internet plans
|
#1
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TPG
Editor's Pick
Home Wireless Broadband
$44.99/mth
Min. cost $44.99
|
|
#2
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TPG
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#3
|
TPG
Editor's Pick
5G Home Broadband Premium
$54.99/mth
Min. cost $54.99
|
TPG has 4G and 5G home broadband plans. On a 4G plan, you'll get:
- Vodafone 4G network coverage with download speeds capped to 20Mbps
- Unlimited Data
- Home wireless modem
Its 5G internet plans include:
- Vodafone 5G network connectivity, with speeds either capped at 50Mbps or 100Mbps
- Unlimited Data
- Home wireless modem
TPG home wireless broadband plans are contract-free. If you want to leave, you'll just need to return your modem to avoid paying a non-return fee.
iiNet wireless internet plans
|
#1
|
iiNet
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#2
|
iiNet
Home Wireless Broadband
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
|
#3
|
iiNet
5G Home Broadband Premium
$59.99/mth
Min. cost $59.99
|
iiNet offers both 4G and 5G home wireless broadband plans. On a 4G plan, you'll get:
- Vodafone 4G network coverage with download speeds capped to 20Mbps
- Unlimited Data
- Home wireless modem
iiNet's 5G home wireless broadband plans include:
- Vodafone 5G network connectivity, with speeds either capped at 50Mbps or 100Mbps
- Unlimited Data
- Home wireless modem
All of iiNet's home wireless broadband plans are contract-free. If you want to leave, you'll just need to return your modem within 21 days of cancelling.
Vodafone wireless internet plans
|
Vodafone
5G Home Internet Basic Plan
$50/mth
Min. cost $50
Link not supplied
|
Vodafone offers both 4G and 5G home wireless internet plans. The provider's 4G options include:
- Vodafone 4G network coverage with download speeds capped to 20Mbps
- Unlimited Data
- Home wireless modem
Vodafone's 5G home wireless broadband plans include:
- Vodafone 5G network connectivity, with speeds either capped at 50Mbps or 100Mbps
- Unlimited Data
- Home wireless modem
If you opt for Vodafone's 4G home wireless internet plan, you'll need to pay out a modem fee if you leave within your first 24 months. This is equivalent to $7.50 per month left in your two-year term.
Yomojo wireless internet plans
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#1
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Yomojo
4G Internet 25
$55.90/mth
Min. cost $55.90
Link not supplied
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#2
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Yomojo
5G Internet 50
$69.90/mth
Min. cost $69.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
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Yomojo
5G Internet 100
$75.90/mth
Min. cost $75.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Yomojo
5G Internet Max
$95.90/mth
Min. cost $95.90
Link not supplied
|
Yomojo's 4G home wireless internet plan includes:
- Optus 4G network coverage with download speeds capped to 20Mbps
- Unlimited data
- Home wireless modem for $179 upfront
Yomojo's 5G home wireless broadband plans include:
- Optus 5G network coverage with 50Mbps, 100Mbps or uncapped download speeds
- Unlimited data
- Home wireless modem for $820 upfront
Yomojo's plans are contract-free and come with no cancellation fee. There is also no modem repayment if you leave within a certain period of time. Instead, you have to pay for your modem upfront.
SpinTel wireless internet plans
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#1
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SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (50Mbit)
$49/mth
Min. cost $74
Link not supplied
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#2
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SpinTel
4G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (25Mbit)
$53.95/mth
Min. cost $69.95
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (100Mbit)
$59/mth
Min. cost $84
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband
$79/mth
Min. cost $104
Link not supplied
|
SpinTel offers both 4G and 5G home wireless internet plans. On a 4G plan, you'll get:
- Optus 4G network coverage with download speeds capped to 20Mbps
- Unlimited Data
- Home wireless modem
On a 5G home wireless internet plan, you'll get:
- Optus 5G network connectivity with 50Mbps, 100Mbps, or uncapped download speeds
- Unlimited Data
- Home wireless modem
SpinTel is powered by the Optus network and is a well-known name in home broadband. Its 4G home wireless internet plans tend to represent great value, undercutting the competition. Its 5G plans are also a bit cheaper than what you'd get on Optus, even when you factor in the modem rental fee.
Note your wireless modem will remain the property of SpinTel. If you cancel your plan you will be required to return it in good working order within 21 days.
Wireless internet FAQs
What wireless internet?
Wireless internet is a connection that uses 4G and 5G mobile signals to get online, rather than a fixed-line connection.
What is the cheapest wireless internet plan?
The cheapest wireless internet plans all 4G plans, rather than 5G. Pricing can change regularly, but below are the three cheapest wireless internet plans with unlimited data currently in our database of providers:
|
#1
|
TPG
Editor's Pick
Home Wireless Broadband
$44.99/mth
Min. cost $44.99
|
|
#2
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (50Mbit)
$49/mth
Min. cost $74
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
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iiNet
5G Home Broadband Plus
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
|
What do I need to get a wireless internet plan?
If you're considering a wireless internet plan, you'll need adequate 4G or 5G coverage at home. Every provider has an address check that will let you know if you're eligible for a wireless internet plan. If you've got the right coverage, then it's smooth sailing from there. Your provider will send you a new modem to go with your plan, and you can get up and running as soon as it arrives.
How much data do I need on my wireless internet plan?
Most wireless internet plans have unlimited data. The one exception is Telstra, who only offers a 1TB plan. 1TB should be more than enough for the average Australian, but heavier users may want the safety of an unlimited plan.
Is wireless internet better than NBN?
When you consider 5G internet vs. NBN, both have their pros and cons. In terms of pricing, find 5G is better value. 5G plans tend to offer the same speeds for less money. NBN is less prone to congestion, however. An NBN 250 plan, for example, will typically offer speeds close to 250Mbps most of the time. Conversely, Telstra says the speeds for its uncapped 5G plan can range from between 200Mbps and 900Mbps. Even 200Mbps is very good, but you might not get the top speeds all of the time.
Will wireless 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.
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.
Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Reviews Editor | Twitter | Instagram | Threads
Christie Graham
Christie Graham is a tech industry expert and former head copywriter for Harvey Norman's Computers and Tech category. She won a national Newscorp writing competition to review TV shows on Binge, and keeps busy juggling her many hobbies including baking, painting, archery, stargazing, tending to her chickens, training her Border Collie, expanding her Harry Potter replica collection, and making lists (much like this one).
Christie Graham - Digital Content Editor
Dylan Crismale
Dylan Crismale has been writing for over six years working across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans, and is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money. When he's not behind a desk Dylan loves drawing, working out, and spending time with friends and family.
Dylan Crismale - Digital Content Editor
Alex Angove-Plumb
Alex Angove-Plumb has been in the tech publishing industry since 2010, putting him only a couple of years away from the title of Grizzled Ancient in his chosen profession. He was an original WhistleOut-er before running NBN Co's corporate blog for two years, then moving on to a lengthy stint at CHOICE. Now he's come home to act as a Digital Content Editor.
Over his career, Alex has learned more about phones, telcos, and the NBN than he'd like to admit, and is happy to put his expertise to good use by helping our readers navigate the often-confusing morass of buzzwords that tech marketing can throw your way.
When not shaking his fist at kids these days, you might find Alex tinkering about the house doing arguably destructive DIY, messing with one or both of his cats, or trying just-one-more-run in whatever roguelite he's recently become obsessed with.
Alex Angove-Plumb - Digital Content Editor
Joseph Hanlon
Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for well over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Tech Radar, Gizmodo, and Lifehacker. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.
Joseph Hanlon - Editorial Director | Twitter
