Compare 5G home internet plans

What is 5G home internet?

5G home internet uses a mobile network to connect you to the internet. So if your phone gets good reception and your address is covered by 5G, it's actually a good option to consider.

In fact, 5G home internet is what's come to be known as an alternative to the NBN. There are no wires, either copper or fibre-optical cable and no installation required as such.

All you have to do is plug in the modem supplied by the provider, pop in a SIM card into the modem itself and voila, you're online!

Is 5G home internet better than the NBN?

This will depend on where you're based. Sometimes it can be a good alternative to the NBN but on the whole, fixed-line NBN connections are more reliable and widespread.

But let's run through some scenarios for when 5G home internet is a good option, and when it's not.

When 5G home internet is better than the NBN

• If you have an unreliable NBN connection and can't get fast speeds, or if you can't connect to the NBN at all. This is especially true for premises that aren't part of the NBN's footprint for a fibre upgrade to replace ageing copper.
• When you want cheaper internet or simply more options. For example, NBN 50 plans are popular with the average household but have been getting more expensive since late 2023 following multiple price hikes.

When the NBN is better than 5G home internet

• If you want a super fast connection and you have access to FTTP or HTC, NBN is better than 5G.
• If you have crummy mobile reception at home, you're going to have crummy internet reception. Get NBN.
• If you want to pay as little as possible. There are cheaper NBN plans out there.
• If you're living in one house for a long time, home wireless doesn't have as many benefits.

Our expert says

"I'm living in an apartment in Sydney that doesn't have access to NBN (shocker, right!). My choices on the Opticomm network are ridiculously limited so I can't really switch providers. But that's where 5G home internet has opened a few doors for me, especially since mobile network receptions have drastically improved at my address in the last year and I now also get 5G coverage. I've taken Optus 5G home internet for a spin and had zero issues with download speeds or poor reception. Plus, it was so easy to set up. I just had to pop in a SIM, plug in the modem and voilà, all good to go."

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

What's 5G home internet good for?

Home internet isn't good for everything. Most plans are limited to 50Mbps - 100Mbps, though some networks get higher. In any case, 50Mbps will suit households with 2 to 3 people using the net at the same time. However, there are some things 5G is better for:

• Browsing the web: Not gonna be an issue on 5G.
• Email and messaging: 5G home internet got you boo.
• Video Streaming: Light streaming will be fine. A couple of people on YouTube, TikTok or Netflix at the same time shouldn't be an issue. HD or 4k streaming might start to be a problem though.

• Online gaming: 5G technology has more issues with latency, or delays in communication. This doesn't matter for single player games, but it can seriously affect your ping (and thus your KD ratio).
• Work from home: For the same reason, 5G wireless can be a bit of a pain on video calls. With a good connection you'll be fine most of the time, but you may have more dropouts than you would with a wired connection.
• HD video streaming: On the Optus or Telstra networks you can get some really fast download speeds, north of 200 Mbps. But for most 5G networks the 100Mbps cap is going to limit the amount of HD and 4k streaming you can manage.

What 5G home internet speeds can you expect?

Most 5G home internet plans have their download speed capped at 50Mbps or 100Mbps, but this is getting higher all the time. For instance, Optus and Telstra have typical speeds above 200Mbps and 300Mbps respectively.

What speed is available will mostly depend on the provider's network and the plan you're on. Here are some of the top speeds available from 5G home internet provider:

While varying speeds are a factor in all internet connections, it's especially the case with 5G home internet. Speed can be affected by things such as:

• Coverage (i.e. distance and line of sight to the 5G tower)
• Location and quality of your modem
• Network congestion
• The weather

5G home internet providers in Australia

Here are the main 5G home internet providers currently in Australia. We're always seeing more coming into the market as coverage of the network expands throughout the country.

• Telstra
• Optus
• Vodafone
• TPG
• SpinTel
• iiNet
• Yomojo

How can you get 5G internet?

Contrary to popular belief the coverage map for 5G home internet isn't similar to that of 5G mobile.

The best way to check if you can sign up for a 5G home internet plan is to enter your address on the provider's website.

Even if one provider offers 5G home internet at your address, it doesn't mean all of them will.

If you're out of luck, it might be easier to get a 4G home internet plan instead, as it's more widely available.

The main catch is that speeds are slower, so it may not be suitable unless you're a light internet user.

Why compare broadband internet with Finder?

We like helping people out. Whether you're Zooming solo or a house full of gamers, we know getting the most speed for the least buck is top of your list.

Obsessed with offers. With over 300 plans from over 50 internet providers, you could go website to website and find them yourself. Or, you could let us nerd out for you - see them in one place live 24/7.

No mark ups. You get the same prices as going direct, heck sometimes you even score better as we put in the yards to bring you exclusive offers.

Frequently asked questions

• Is 5G worth it for home internet?

  Australian 5G networks are some of the fastest in the world, which has made 5G home internet more viable than ever before. 5G speed are comparable with NBN speeds, especially on cheaper NBN plans. Plus, 5G home internet is a bit more flexible and easier to move home. There are some downsides though - maximum speeds are lower on 5G, and you'll experience a little more latency which can affect some online activities. So yes, 5G home internet is definitely worth it, assuming you're in a coverage area and the product suits your needs.

• Can I get an unlimited 5G home internet plan?

  Almost every provider in our database offers an unlimited data 5G home internet plan. The exception is Telstra. It offers 1000GB per month, which should be plenty for most users. According to the telco giant, the average Telstra 5G household uses less than 1000GB every month.

• Can I use 5G home internet without a phone line?

  Yes, as 5G home internet works with the 5G mobile network, you don't need a phone line to use it. You will only need a 5G home internet modem and you should be able to connect right away.

• Is 5G internet better than Starlink?

  It depends on a few key factors, like where you live and what's available in your area. If you have access to 5G internet and get strong coverage, it can be a great option, offering fast speeds, an easy setup, and typically lower costs. However, coverage can be patchy or unavailable in rural or remote parts of Australia. In that instance, Starlink might be a better fit, offering wider availability and more consistent speeds, though it does come at a higher price. You can check out our full Starlink guide for more details.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Tim Bennett as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 and 2025 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio

Mariam's expertise

Mariam has written 427 Finder guides across topics including:

• Energy
• Mobile
• Broadband
• Consumer tech