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Who offers the best mobile broadband plan?
There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to finding the best mobile internet plan.
You'll want to consider things like which network provider offers the best coverage in your area and how much data you need.
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.
The providers we have on Finder that offer mobile internet are:
ALDImobile
amaysim
Aussie Broadband
Bendigo Telco
Belong
Escapenet
JB Hi-Fi
Lebara
More
Optus
Reward Mobile
Southern Phone
SpinTel
Tangerine
Telechoice
Telstra
Vodafone
Yomojo
Some providers such as TPG or iiNet offer home wireless internet, but they don't offer mobile broadband plans.
You can get mobile broadband from these providers in a variety of ways:
SIM only data plans: BYO SIM-ready device to access the internet on the mobile network, usually paid month to month.
Prepaid mobile internet: This allows you to buy some data upfront that lasts for a certain period. Once the data runs out or expires, you need to buy more.
If you're going to be doing things online, having unlimited data is no doubt a handy feature. SpinTel is the only provider on Finder that offers an unlimited data mobile broadband plan.
It costs $49.95 a month for unlimited data on the Optus 4G network. You will also need to pay $10 a month for a portable modem, as well as a $20 one-off delivery fee.
SpinTel may be the provider that specifically offers an unlimited data plan, but there are a couple other alternatives you could consider if you're looking for wireless unlimited internet:
Get a mobile broadband plan with no excess data charges. Some providers that offer this are Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Belong. You won't get hit with fees if you go over your data limit, but the catch is your download speeds will be slowed down.
Consider home wireless broadband instead if you're looking to stay in the same location. If you need a wireless solution that doesn't need to be easily transportable, you could look into a home wireless broadband plan instead. It works the same way using mobile networks to get you online, but you'll need to use it at the one location rather than taking it out and about with you.
Hotspot off an unlimited data mobile plan. If you don't need a lot of data, you could always consider hotspotting off your mobile phone. Getting an unlimited data mobile plan or a high data mobile plan could cover you with enough internet if you're in a tight spot.
How fast is mobile broadband?
As you're connecting to the internet via a mobile network, there are a bunch of factors that can affect your connections.
Speeds may vary due to your distance from a mobile tower and network congestion when most people are online at the same time.
According to Opensignal's October 2023 Mobile Network Experience Report, the typical everyday speeds a user experiences across an operator's mobile data networks are:
Telstra: 60.1Mbps
Optus: 57.5Mbps
Vodafone: 50.5Mbps
4G mobile broadband
Telstra's 4GX network claims download speeds of up to 300Mbps, while Optus's 4G Plus network delivers speeds of up to 100Mbps.
But realistically you're unlikely to reach those speeds, especially as some providers cap the speeds of their mobile internet, usually between 100Mbps and 150Mbps.
5G mobile broadband
5G mobile internet offers faster speeds than 4G. Opensignal's October 2023 Mobile Network Experience Report stated that the average download speed experienced by users across an operator's 5G network were:
Optus: 226.5Mbps
Telstra: 201.9Mbps
Vodafone: 102.5Mbps
Some providers cap your download speeds, depending on whether you're on the 4G or 5G network, or what size data plan you have. This could be capped at anywhere between 100Mbps and 250Mbps.
If you're looking for 5G internet at home, you can check out our guide to 5G home internet plans to see if this is an option that might work better for you.
Is mobile internet as good as home Wi-Fi?
Whether mobile broadband is as good as home Wi-Fi depends on a few factors. For one, you're relying on the strength of the provider's network coverage and stability. Mobile networks are also more prone to being compromised by external factors such as congestion and weather conditions.
A lot of mobile internet plans also come with data limits though so you'll want to assess your online activities to see if these work for you.
If you're looking for unlimited data, you'll have more options with other types of internet plans such as home wireless or NBN.
For several months I didn't have a fixed address so I needed flexibility on 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.
Mobile broadband is a great way to connect to the internet while you're out and about, though it does cost more than other types of broadband connections.
We've broken down the pros and cons of mobile broadband below.
Pros
Portability. Mobile broadband modems can easily fit in your bag and can be used anywhere you get phone signal.
Speed. A strong 4G or 5G connection can match or exceed speeds available on an NBN connection.
Multiple connections. 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
Reliability. Similar to a phone, poor weather conditions or poor reception can affect how reliable your connection is.
Price. Depending on how much data you need, a mobile broadband plan could be a more expensive option. If you intend for more than a few people to use it, it may be better to look at alternatives as your main internet connection.
Telstra mobile broadband plans
Telstra offers 4 ways for you to get mobile internet.
You can purchase a portable modem, or a device, and add on a data plan to get online. Telstra also gives you the option to pay off these in monthly instalments. It also has month-to-month SIM only data plans and prepaid mobile internet.
Telstra's mobile network reaches 99.5% of the Australian population. Features of Telstra's mobile broadband plans include:
Carbon-neutral plans.
The ability to share data with up to 10 eligible plans on the same account on its SIM only data plan.
No excess data charges on SIM only plans, but your speed will be capped at 1.5Mbps and slowed further during busy periods.
We know our stuff. We review every dollar, every GB, every plan, every month. Our data usage is bonkers.
You can rely on us. We update our database of plans and deals every month, and we're constantly fact-checking.
We're here to help. We've helped millions of Aussies find better broadband internet, with no plans to slow down.
Frequently asked questions
As the name suggests, mobile broadband allows you to connect wirelessly to the internet via a mobile network while you're out and about. This way you won't need to hotspot from your phone or find a Wi-Fi network to connect to.
You might also know mobile broadband plans as data only plans, data SIMs, pocket Wi-Fi or dongle plans.
No, most mobile broadband plans are month to month or come prepaid for a specific plan length (up to 365 days). If you've bought a device to work with your mobile broadband plan, you'll need to pay it off if you leave before an agreed period of time.
No, you don't always need to buy a modem with all mobile broadband plans. You can simply purchase a data-only SIM plan and insert the SIM card in your device the same way you do with a SIM in your phone.
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 251 Finder guides across topics including:
what is the difference between mobile broadband and home internet service. We are presently talking with iinet.
Finder
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.
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
Finder
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
damianJuly 23, 2017
how to get amaysim mobile internet
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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what is the difference between mobile broadband and home internet service. We are presently talking with iinet.
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.
Still end of the day its way to high..the day we get 500gs at 60 a month then we might actually be interested
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
how to get amaysim mobile internet
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