If you’re looking to tap into high speed 5G internet, you’re going to need a modem – but which one is the best?
Getting your home or office space connected to the quickest possible internet speeds can be of the utmost priority to many Australians. 5G has made this goal that much more accessible, as the successor to 4G. So read on with Canstar Blue to find out what 5G WiFi is, and the best 5G modems on the market right now.
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What is a 5G modem?
Essentially, a 5G modem is a device that connects to a 5G mobile/cellular network and connects your other devices to that network. The name 5G comes from the technology being the fifth generation in cellular progression (just like 4G and 3G before it). However, you may see ‘5G’ used to refer to the 5GHz frequency emitted by 5G modems.
There are generally two speeds that modems are capable of working at: 2.4GHz and 5 GHz. 2.4GHz has a lower general speed, but it covers more area and can go through walls easier. The 5GHz speed is much quicker, but has less range and doesn’t go through walls as easily.
This is where the terminology can get muddled for 5G technology. In this article, we’re using the term ‘5G modem’ to refer to a modem or modem-router that can use 5G cellular networks to deliver a broadband connection to your devices.
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What are the best 5G modems?
If you’re looking to switch to a 5G home internet plan, you’ll need a 5G modem. There can be a lot of modems to choose from, so if you’re after the best 5G modem in Australia, you might find it’s easier to pick a modem that’s bundled with a 5G internet plan or a modem offered by a telco.
Telstra 5G Internet Modem 2
The Telstra 5G Modem 2 is WiFi 6 Certified and made from 95% recycled plastic. It is included for use with 5G internet plans but if you cancel within 24 months, return the modem within 21 days or pay the $400 non-return fee.
Netgear Nighthawk M7 Ultra
Netgear’s Nighthawk M7 Ultra mobile router offers a boosted internet speeds and coverage with WiFi 7 using the 6GHz band, along with 5G Sub-6 and mmWave, all in a small and portable package. Telstra offers this modem to bundle with a 5G mobile broadband plan.
Netgear Nighthawk M6
The Netgear Nighthawk M6 is a portable modem powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon X62 5G Modem-RF System. It combines dual band 2.4GHz and 5GHz WiFi 6 with AX3600, able to deliver internet for up to 32 devices. The Nighthawk M6 comes as a square device, with a 5040mAh battery, designed to last you all day. This device can be used on both the Telstra and Optus networks.
ZTE MU5001 5G Modem
One of Optus’ 5G portable modems, the ZTE MU5001 5G Modem offers a large 4,500mAh battery alongside its 32-connection capability. The 2.4-inch touch screen delivers important feedback on the network analytics, and the quick charge technology ensures limited waiting around. The ZTE 5G costs $434.88 outright, or it can be paid off over 12, 24 or 36 months and it can be bundled with an Optus mobile broadband plan.
Nokia FastMile 5G Gateway
This has been one of the modems-of-choice for telcos to bundle with 5G home wireless broadband plans. Due to it being a home modem, it doesn’t have a battery but rather needs a constant source of power. The standout feature of the Nokia FastMile is that if 5G isn’t available in your area, it can connect to a 4G network as a backup. Supporting download speeds of up to 500Mbps makes this a serious contender in the 5G home modem market.
How fast is 5G internet?
5G internet is the fastest rendition of cellular broadband on the market so far. While 5G speeds can theoretically reach up to 20Gbps, speeds you can expect to find on plans typically range from 200Mbps to 500Mbps. However, some providers may have speed caps on 5G plans, so some plans may only reach speeds such as 50Mbps or 100Mbps.
However, real-world speeds can be hard to gauge. This can be due to the physical location of the cellular tower and your home or location, and even the time of day. It’s a good idea to look at coverage and average speeds from each provider before signing up for a plan.
Which providers offer 5G modems in Australia?
5G home internet is available to eligible customers on plans from a handful of telcos, including the big three: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, along with smaller providers like SpinTel, Yomojo and iiNet. It uses the same 5G networks that can connect to your phone to deliver home internet wirelessly.
Providers will typically include a 5G modem with your 5G internet plan or the option to add one on to your plan, which ensures that you’ll have a modem that’s compatible with the 5G network the provider uses.
Is 5G better than the NBN?
While 5G has been dubbed the ‘NBN Killer,’ offering theoretical speeds of up to 20 times faster than the fastest speeds available with the NBN, it is a much more volatile network. Many areas don’t yet have access to 5G connectivity, and the 5G broadband connection itself can have a lower range and not go through walls easily.
How can I get 5G?
Before you start searching for the best 5G modem in Australia, you’ll want to ensure you can actually access 5G.
In order to access 5G, you’ll need to have 5G network coverage. If you’re after a 5G home internet plan, you’ll need 5G coverage at your home. However, if you’re looking for a 5G mobile broadband plan and want 5G internet on the go, you’ll want to check that there is network coverage in the areas you plan to travel to.
As the 5G networks are still being rolled out, it may still take some time for coverage to come to your area, or you may only be covered by one or two of the networks instead of all three. Before signing up to a 5G plan or buying a 5G modem, you’ll want to check if you have 5G network coverage. This may also determine which telco you sign up to if you’re not covered by all networks.
Once you’ve checked your network coverage, you’ll want to find a 5G internet plan. You can use our free 5G internet comparison tool to compare a range of plans and providers — whether you want to find plans bundled with 5G modems in Australia or you plan to BYO modem.
The following table shows selected published 5G home internet plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
5G Home Internet
min. cost $85 over one month |
1TB | $85 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G
min. cost $675 over first month |
Unlimited | $99 | Link to provider unavailable |
 View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
The following table shows selected published 5G home internet plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
5G Home Broadband Plus
min. cost $44.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $44.99 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
5G Home Broadband Plus plan
min. cost $44.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $44.99 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
5G Home Internet Plus
min. cost $65 over one month |
Unlimited | $65 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
5G Home Broadband Premium
min. cost $49.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $49.99 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
5G Home Broadband Premium plan
min. cost $54.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $54.99 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
5G Home Internet Premium
min. cost $70 over one month |
Unlimited | $70 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Optus Plus Everyday Fast 5G
min. cost $655 over first month |
Unlimited | $79 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
SpinTel 5G Unlimited
min. cost $89 over one month |
Unlimited | $89 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Can you use a 5G smartphone instead of a 5G modem?
Smartphones with 5G connectivity work in much of the same way as a 5G modem — both devices use a 5G mobile network to connect to the internet. If you have a 5G-enabled smartphone with a 5G phone plan, and you can use your phone’s internet connection as a hotspot for other devices to connect to the internet, your connected device should be able to access 5G without a modem.
However, using your phone’s 5G connectivity as a replacement for a 5G modem can have its downsides. Your phone’s battery may drain rather quickly and you might chew through your phone plan’s data, depending on how much data is on your plan. You might also find that your device may only be able to connect one device to the hotspot, or speeds might slow down when connecting multiple devices.
If you plan on using 5G internet as a long-term solution for internet at home or on the go, you might be best off using a 5G modem rather than relying on hotspotting with a 5G smartphone.
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