Compare mobile broadband plans

Looking for fast, affordable and portable internet? We'll help you find the best mobile broadband plan. Prices start from $10 a month.

1 - 10 of 81
Name Product AUFBB-INT Data allowance Price
Reward Mobile 500MB Data Plan
Mobile broadband
Vodafone network
Month-to-month
  • 4G network
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO device
500MB
Data
500GB
$9.90
per month
$0 setup fees, $9.90 min. total cost
Price
$9.90 per month
$0 setup fees, $9.90 min. total cost
Alphacall 2GB
Mobile broadband
Wholesale Telstra network
Month-to-month
  • 4G network
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO device
2GB
Data
2GB
$10
per month
$0 setup fees, $10 min. total cost
Price
$10 per month
$0 setup fees, $10 min. total cost
Vodafone Prepaid SIM Starter Pack 9GB
Mobile broadband
Vodafone network
7 Days contract
11GB on activation + next 5 recharges, then 9GB/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.3.25
  • 5G/4G network
  • 7 Days expiry
  • BYO modem
11GB
Data
11GB
$12
per 7 days
$0 setup fees, $12 min. total cost
Price
$12 per 7 days
$0 setup fees, $12 min. total cost
Yomojo 2GB
Mobile broadband
Optus network
30 Days contract
  • 4G network
  • 30 Days expiry
  • BYO device
2GB
Data
2GB
$14.90
per 30 days
$0 setup fees, $14.90 min. total cost
Price
$14.90 per 30 days
$0 setup fees, $14.90 min. total cost
Reward Mobile 1.5GB Data Plan
Mobile broadband
Vodafone network
Month-to-month
  • 4G network
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO device
2GB
Data
2GB
$15
per month
$0 setup fees, $15 min. total cost
Price
$15 per month
$0 setup fees, $15 min. total cost
Bendigo Telco Mobile Broadband Value 7
Mobile broadband
Optus network
12 Month contract
  • 4G network
  • 12 Month contract
  • BYO device
7GB
Data
7GB
$15
per month
$0 setup fees, $180 min. total cost
Price
$15 per month
$0 setup fees, $180 min. total cost
amaysim 7GB Data Plan
Mobile broadband
Optus network
28 Days contract
$10 for the first recharge, then $15/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 8.12.24
  • 4G network
  • 28 Days expiry
  • BYO device
7GB
Data
7GB
$15
per 28 days
$0 setup fees, $10 min. total cost
Price
$15 per 28 days
$0 setup fees, $10 min. total cost
Southern Phone X-Small
Mobile broadband
Optus network
12 Month contract
  • 4G network
  • 12 Month contract
  • BYO device
7GB
Data
7GB
$15
per month
$0 setup fees, $180 min. total cost
Price
$15 per month
$0 setup fees, $180 min. total cost
Belong Mobile Broadband 20GB
Mobile broadband
Wholesale Telstra network
Month-to-month
  • 5G/4G network
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO device
20GB
Data
20GB
$15
per month
$0 setup fees, $15 min. total cost
Price
$15 per month
$0 setup fees, $15 min. total cost
JB Hi-Fi Mobile Broadband Plan 25GB
Mobile broadband
Full Telstra network
Month-to-month
  • 5G/4G network
  • Month-to-month
  • BYO device
25GB
Data
25GB
$19
per month
$0 setup fees, $19 min. total cost
Price
$19 per month
$0 setup fees, $19 min. total cost
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Key takeaways

  • Before choosing a plan, consider which network provider offers the best coverage in your area.
  • How much data are you after? The range is 500MB to 400GB. SpinTel also offers an unlimited data plan.
  • What's your budget? The average price of mobile broadband plans on Finder is around $41 a month.

What is mobile broadband?

As the name suggests, mobile broadband lets you connect wirelessly to the internet through a mobile network.

You might also know mobile broadband as data-only plans, data SIMs, pocket Wi-Fi, or dongle plans.

You can use it at home or on the go, eliminating the need to hotspot from your phone or search for a Wi-Fi network.

Choosing a mobile broadband plan is similar to picking a mobile phone plan - there are similar steps and decisions involved.

Pros
  • Mobile broadband modems can easily fit in your bag and can be used anywhere you get phone signal.
  • You can also insert the SIM straight into your device to get online.
  • A strong 4G or 5G connection can match the speeds available on an NBN connection.
  • A single modem can provide a connection for multiple people. Great for a small group of people to work offsite together or for families.
Cons
  • Like phones, poor weather conditions or poor reception can affect the reliability of your connection.
  • Mobile broadband plans can be more expensive, especially for heavy data users. If multiple people need regular, high-speed internet, a dedicated service might be a better option for a primary connection.

Which providers offer mobile broadband plans?

There are a total of 20 providers in our database that offer mobile broadband plans including:

  • ALDImobile
  • Alphacall
  • amaysim
  • Aussie Broadband
  • Bendigo Telco
  • Belong
  • Escapenet
  • Goodtel
  • JB Hi-Fi
  • Lebara
  • More
  • Optus
  • Reward Mobile
  • Southern Phone
  • SpinTel
  • Tangerine
  • Telechoice
  • Telstra
  • Vodafone
  • Yomojo

Who has the best mobile broadband plan?

There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to finding the best mobile broadband plan. Maybe you just want it for light online activities. Maybe you want it for doing work on the go.

Whatever the case is, you'll want to consider a few things like:

Data

How much data you need will depend on the frequency of your online activities and what they are.

Gaming and streaming videos are more data-intensive than browsing and checking emails.

You can use your past data usage history or our guide to help you calculate how much data you need.

Otherwise, the ACCC's Internet Activity Report says Aussies on average use 12.3GB a month which you can use as a benchmark too.

Telstra, Optus and Vodafone also offer mobile broadband plans with no excess charges. If you go over your data allowance your download speeds will simply slow to 1.5Mbps until the next billing cycle.

Price

Knowing how much data you need will help narrow down your budget.

The average cost of mobile broadband plans in our database is around $41 a month.

It's often the case that the more data you purchase, the better value you get. The cost per GB tends to work out more favourably towards bigger data plans.

Coverage

The network you choose for your mobile broadband plan will play a key role in your coverage.

Telstra provides the widest network coverage, followed by Optus and then Vodafone.

This is particularly important if you live outside metropolitan areas - no one wants to deal with dead zones or patchy internet signals!

Speed

There are about 2 key points to take note of when thinking about the speed of your mobile broadband plan.

4G vs 5G: You'll also want to consider whether you need 5G network coverage for faster and more reliable speeds. Since 5G is still being rolled out across Australia, it's not available everywhere. Currently, around 10 providers in our database offer a 5G mobile broadband plan.

Download speed caps: Around 6 providers in our database have speed caps in place which can be anywhere between 100-250Mbps depending on the plan. This is still fast enough for most online activities though.

Can I get an unlimited data mobile broadband plan?

SpinTel is the only provider on Finder that offers an unlimited data mobile broadband plan.

This can be a solid option if you're going to be carrying out heavy online activities regularly.

The plan costs $49.95 a month and runs on Optus's 4G network. You will also need to pay $10 a month for a portable modem, as well as a $20 one-off delivery fee.

How fast is mobile broadband?

When you're using a mobile network to connect to the internet, several factors can impact your connection.

Your speed can fluctuate based on how far you are from the nearest cell tower and how busy the network is, especially during peak usage times.

And of course, whether you're connected to 4G or 5G, with the latter being faster.

Opensignal's analysis shows typical everyday speeds on the 4G network can range from 50-60Mbps though you could clock over 100Mbps in ideal circumstances.

Another report from the company shows Optus offers the fastest typical 5G download speeds at 208.7Mbps, followed by Telstra and then Vodafone.

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

Home wireless broadband, also called 4G or 5G home internet, also connects you to the internet using the mobile network.

The main difference between home wireless and mobile broadband is portability. With home wireless, you get a modem that is tied to your address, so you can't take it with you when you're out and about.

It's a great option if you can't get NBN or are stuck with a poor connection. You'll get similar speeds, and most plans offer unlimited data.

Mobile broadband isn't typically your go-to for home internet. It's more of a temporary fix or something you use when you need an internet connection on the move.

Adelaide Moore's headshot

"For several months, I didn't have a fixed address, so I needed flexibility with my home Wi-Fi. I bought a Vodafone pocket Wi-Fi and data SIM plan. Vodafone had a promo going at the time, so I got double the data. Because I also had a phone plan with Vodafone, I was able to merge the data and share it across devices. This gave me more than enough data and the ability to use it as I moved around. The connection was great and allowed me to work from home with no issues."

Adelaide Moore
Author

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Frequently asked questions

Mariam Gabaji's headshot
Written by

Editor I Tech and utilities expert

Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with 12+ years of experience as a journalist. She's committed to helping households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine. See full bio

Mariam's expertise
Mariam has written 303 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Energy
  • Mobile
  • Broadband
  • Consumer tech

More guides on Finder

  • Wi-Fi Dongle and Pocket Wi-Fi Plans

    Wi-Fi dongles and pocket Wi-Fi are an easy way for you to get connected to the Internet while you're out and about.

  • Data only SIM plans

    Data only SIM plans can be easily inserted into your iPad or tablet for wireless Internet on the go.

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6 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    RICKMay 27, 2024

    what is the difference between mobile broadband and home internet service. We are presently talking with iinet.

      AvatarFinder
      MariamMay 31, 2024Finder

      Hi Rick, here’s some information that can help you out:

      Home wireless is a less portable but more reliable version of mobile broadband. Both are quick to set up and don’t require a technician.

      Home wireless modems are larger and require a constant power source to work, whereas mobile broadband works with different devices (portable modems, mobile phones, laptops, tablets and more).
      Mobile broadband modems are battery powered and useful to those who work on the go.

      Between the two, mobile broadband ends up being more expensive per GB and you mostly get plans with data caps, rather than unlimited data. Home wireless internet plans usually feature unlimited data and are an alternative to NBN.

    Default Gravatar
    SteffApril 18, 2018

    Still end of the day its way to high..the day we get 500gs at 60 a month then we might actually be interested

      AvatarFinder
      MayApril 18, 2018Finder

      Hi Steff,

      Thank you for getting in touch.

      Prices indeed vary depending on the plan you get and the provider. If you’re looking at your options for SIM-only data mobile plan, you might like to check out our comparison table and use our search filters to help narrow down your search.

      Best to contact the provider directly to discuss your options. When you are ready, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the provider’s website where you can proceed with the application.

      I hope this can help.

      Cheers,
      May

    Default Gravatar
    damianJuly 23, 2017

    how to get amaysim mobile internet

      Default Gravatar
      DanielleJuly 24, 2017

      Hi Damian,

      Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.

      Please check Amaysim mobile internet to find the right plan for you. You may review and compare the offers available on the table. Once you have selected one, you may proceed by selecting the “Go to Site” button.

      I hope this helps.

      Cheers,
      Danielle

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