Compare home wireless broadband deals

What is home wireless broadband?

Home wireless broadband allows you to connect to the internet remotely using signals from nearby mobile towers.

The speed and reliability of your connection will depend on whether you're using 4G or 5G technology, plus the signal strength in your area. 5G generally provides faster speeds and lower latency compared to 4G.

Lower latency helps your internet connection respond faster, making activities like online gaming smoother and more responsive.

Can I get home wireless internet?

It really depends on where you live. The easiest way to check availability is by entering your address on a provider's website to see if you can sign up for one of their home wireless plans.

Keep in mind that availability can vary between providers. Just because Telstra offers home wireless broadband in your area doesn't necessarily mean Optus will.

This is especially true for 5G plans as 5G is still being rolled out across Australia and may not be available where you are yet.

Either way, the provider will let you know as soon as you enter your address in their search bar.

Is home wireless broadband reliable?

Yes, home wireless broadband is generally reliable because you'll only be able to sign up for a plan if the provider is happy with the coverage at your address.

Here's a quick rundown of its pros and cons:

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 reception has 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 is the difference between home wireless broadband, mobile broadband and NBN?

Home wireless broadband differs from mobile broadband in that it uses a stationary modem linked to your home address, rather than a portable device.

If you move, you'll need to contact your provider to check if your plan and modem can be used at your new address.

The NBN use fixed lines, like fibre or copper cables, to connect to the internet.

Home wireless broadband, on the other hand, relies on mobile networks (4G or 5G), which makes it a bit more prone to internet congestion.

However, it can be a great alternative if you're having trouble with your existing NBN connection.

How do I compare home wireless internet plans?

Speed

When comparing home wireless broadband plans, check if it's 4G or 5G.

4G speeds usually cap out at 20Mbps to 25Mbps while 5G plans tend to go up to 20Mbps to 100Mbps. Some providers like Telstra offer faster speeds up to 570Mbps on 5G, while Optus offers a 5G home internet plan with uncapped speeds.

That's why you need to look at the max speeds offered. Keep in mind, though, actual speeds can vary due to signal strength and congestion.

It's why you'll see typical download speeds displayed on most plans to show you what speeds it can achieve during the busy hours of the day (7-11pm).

Data allowance

The good news is that the majority of plans come with unlimited data. The exception is Telstra.

Its 5G home internet plan comes with 1TB of data allowance, which should be good enough for the average household. However, you may want to reconsider if you're a heavy internet user running heavy downloads.

Luckily, going over the data allowance will simply cap your speeds to 25Mbps and you won't be charged extra.

Coverage

As we've mentioned, home wireless broadband isn't available everywhere, especially 5G. If you see a plan you like based on the speed, simply check your address on the provider's website to see if it's available to you.

Contract length and modem costs

In most instances, you won't ever be locked into a contract, but sometimes you may need to pay off the cost of the modem if you leave before a certain time frame.

Or, you'll simply have to return it free of charge in good condition right after you cancel your plan. It's uncommon, but one or two providers may ask you to pay for the modem upfront.

Regardless of the scenario, make sure to read the terms and conditions and compare the cost of the modems too, especially if you have to pay for them.

What is the best home wireless broadband plan?

There's no single "best" plan because everyone's need for speed is different, and your budget might vary, too.

In terms of price, you can expect 4G home wireless plans to average around $58 a month, while 5G plans sit closer to $77 a month as of October 2026.

We've also gathered details on all 6 home wireless broadband providers in our database to help you easily find your match.

• 4G home internet: Single plan available. Max download speed 25Mbps, max upload speed 8Mbps. Typical evening speeds can reach 15/4Mbps.
• 5G home internet: 4 plans available with max download speeds of 50Mbps, 100Mbps or uncapped. Typical evening speeds are advertised. Based on these, typical download and upload speeds can reach 50/11Mbps, 93/15Mbps or 230/20Mbps depending on the plan. The uncapped 5G plan also includes a Netflix Standard subscription.
• Data allowance: Unlimited data across all plans
• Monthly cost: $59 to $99 per month
• Modem: $0 if you stay connected for 36 months on a 5G plan or 24 months on a 4G plan. You'll need to pay off the remaining cost of the device if you leave early.

Learn more in our full Optus broadband review.

• Network: Vodafone
• 4G home wireless broadband: Single plan available. Max download speed 20Mbps, max upload speed 2Mbps. Typical evening speeds are advertised as 14/2Mbps.
• 5G home broadband: 2 plans available with max download speeds of 50Mbps and 100Mbps and max upload speed of 20Mbps. Typical evening speeds advertised are roughly the same, though upload speeds go a bit higher to 18Mbps.
• Data allowance: Unlimited data across all plans
• Monthly cost: $59.99 to $69.99 per month
• Modem: Different T&Cs for 4G and 5G plans, though the similarity is that you can return the modem and avoid incurring a charge for the hardware.

Learn more in our full iiNet broadband review.

• Network: Vodafone
• 4G home wireless broadband: Single plan available. Max download speed 20Mbps, max upload speed 2Mbps. Typical evening speeds are advertised as 14/2Mbps.
• 5G home broadband: 2 plans available with max download speeds of 50Mbps and 100Mbps and max upload speed of 20Mbps. Typical evening speeds advertised are roughly the same though upload speeds go a bit lower to 18Mbps.
• Data allowance: Unlimited data across all plans
• Monthly cost: $59.99 to $69.99 per month
• Modem: Different T&Cs for 4G and 5G plans, though the similarity is that you can return the modem and avoid incurring a charge for the hardware.

Learn more in our full TPG broadband review.

• 5G home internet: 3 plans available with max download speeds of 25Mbps, 50Mbps or 570Mbps. Typical download and upload speeds can reach 22/5Mbps, 43/15Mbps or 297/35Mbps depending on the plan.
• Data allowance: 1000GB per month. Download speeds get capped at 1.5Mbps to 25Mbps if you exhaust your data limit for the month.
• Monthly cost: $70 to $95 per month
• Modem: Included with the plan if you stay connected for 24 months. If you cancel early, simply return it back in good working condition to avoid a charge.

Learn more in our full Telstra broadband review.

• Network: Optus
• 4G home wireless broadband: Single plan available. Max download speed 25Mbps, max upload speed 8Mbps. Typical download speed is advertised as 15Mbps.
• 5G home broadband: 2 plans available with max download speeds of 50Mbps and 240Mbps. Typical evening speeds advertised are roughly the same.
• Monthly cost: $49.95 to $89 per month
• Modem: Rental modem is provided when you sign up. You will need to return it within 21 days of cancelling your plan.

Learn more in our full SpinTel broadband review.

• Network: Optus
• 4G home wireless broadband: Single plan available. Max download speed 25Mbps, max upload speed 5Mbps. Typical evening download speeds are advertised as 16Mbps.
• 5G home broadband: 3 plans available with max download speeds of 50Mbps, 100Mbps and uncapped with upload speeds of 11Mbps, 15Mbps and 20Mbps. Typical evening download speeds are clocked at 42Mbps, 75Mbps and 255Mbps.
• Data allowance: Unlimited data across all plans
• Monthly cost: $59.90 to $105.90 per month
• Modem: Modem is included at $0 if you stay connected for 24 months. If you cancel early, you must pay the remaining modem cost.

Learn more in our full Yomojo broadband review.

Frequently asked questions

• Is home wireless better than the NBN?

  Home wireless is a great alternative if you can't get good fixed line internet or need a temporary solution.

  4G home internet is comparable to NBN 25 and 5G home internet can give NBN 100 or NBN 250 a run for their money.

  The main downside of home wireless is it is generally less reliable because you are dependent on mobile networks for a connection. Plus, upload speeds on 4G aren't great for those who work from home and make frequent video calls.

  Find a full breakdown of how wireless Internet compares to the NBN here.

• What's the difference between home wireless and mobile broadband?

  In a nutshell, home wireless broadband requires a modem that is fixed to your home address. It's a wireless alternative to fixed-line NBN and tends to offer similar speeds, plus unlimited data.

  Mobile broadband is portable and uses the mobile network for on-the-go access to the internet. Most plans come with data limits, similar to how mobile plans work.

• Can I take my 5G home wireless internet out of my house?

  No, you can't. 5G home internet, or any home wireless broadband connection for that matter, is not portable because the modem is tied to your address.

  Even if you move, you'll need to check with your provider to see if you can keep the same plan and have the modem reconfigured for your new address.

• Do I need a modem for my home wireless broadband plan?

  Yes, you do. Each provider requires you to use their modem when you sign up for their home wireless broadband plan.

  Whether you need to pay for it depends on their terms and conditions.

  For example, Telstra provides a modem when you sign up, and if you stay connected for 24 months, there's no charge. If you cancel early, you just need to return the modem within 21 days in good working condition.

• How do you set up home wireless broadband?

  One of the main advantages of home wireless broadband is how easy it is to set up. You'll be provided specific instructions from your provider, but here's the gist of it:

  1. Insert the provided SIM into your home wireless modem. Some modems will come with the SIM pre-inserted.
  2. Plug your wireless modem in.
  3. Connect to the wireless network and get online.

• Do you need a phone line for home wireless broadband?

  No, you don't need a phone line to sign up to a home wireless internet plan.

  Simply sign up to the plan you're after, plug in the modem you're sent and voila, you're sorted!

• Is wireless home internet good for gaming?

  Not even fast 5G download speeds on your home wireless connection can guarantee uninterrupted gaming.

  This is due to the risks of latency and potential connectivity loss caused by inconsistencies in your Wi-Fi signal. Fixed-line services like the NBN offer low, stable latency, which is especially important for online multiplayer games.

Written by

Mariam Gabaji

Senior Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

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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

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Mariam has written 605 Finder guides across topics including:

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