Compare 4G home internet plans

What is 4G home internet and how does it work?

4G home internet operates in the same way as mobile data on your smartphone, in that it uses a mobile or cellular network to provide internet access instead of a fixed internet connection.

Most of these 4G home internet plans come with unlimited data, however the speeds tend to be capped, with maximum megabits per second differing based on the telco you’re with. As to be expected, these speeds are typically slower than the newer 5G.

The set-up process is also easy with 4G home broadband; generally, you can plug in the provided modem and you’re ready to go.

4G internet plans are available from many of the big NBN or mobile plan providers, including Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. You can also find 4G home internet plans from smaller telcos who offer service on Telstra, Optus and Vodafone’s 4G networks.

4G home internet pros and cons

If you’re not sure if 4G home internet is the best option for you, considering the pros and cons can help you get a clearer picture of what you need from an internet plan — and whether 4G home broadband is the right option for you.

4G internet plans

While 4G home internet plans aren’t as widely available as NBN plans, there are still several providers to choose from, which use one of the three mobile networks to deliver services. Providers such as Kogan, TPG, SpinTel and Yomojo offer plans which may be cheaper than what is on offer from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. Keep in mind that access to plans from providers will depend on whether you have 4G network coverage at your home.

When choosing the best 4G home internet plan for your household, it helps to compare a range of plans and providers to find a plan that will suit your needs, budget and network coverage access. You can compare plans using the table at the top of this page.

Will 4G home internet speeds work for me?

While most 4G home internet plans come with unlimited data, most also come with capped speeds around 20Mbps — 25Mbps. This might be fast enough for basic internet usage and smaller households, however if you have a bigger household or regularly rely on the internet for online gaming and downloading large files, then this might not be the best option.

Instead, if it’s available to you, you might opt for 5G home wireless with uncapped speeds. Of course, the speeds you’re truly able to reach will depend on a number of factors. The biggest factors include the coverage at your location, congestion on the network and setup at your home. However, some providers will still cap speeds on 5G home internet plans to 50Mbps or 100Mbps and up.

The difference between 4G home internet and NBN

There are a fair few similarities between 4G home internet and the NBN, with the main one being price. Both NBN and 4G home internet hover around the $50 to $60 per month range in terms of starting prices. However speed is where NBN pulls away from the pack.

NBN plans are able to reach speeds of 1000Mbps, while 4G home internet speeds tend to cap out at 25Mbps. The speeds delivered by the NBN are generally more consistent also, while 4G home internet can be sporadic at times. Factors that may affect 4G speeds include your location, how congested the network is, the devices you’re using and even the position of your 4G modem in the home.

While you can access faster speeds on the NBN, you’ll pay more when compared to 4G internet. Going with an NBN 50 plan, which is typically faster than 4G home internet plans, will set you back around $70 per month. The faster plans will cost even more, with some speed tiers costing around $100 per month.

Is 4G home internet the best alternative to the NBN?

If the NBN is unavailable in your area, or not living up to the supposed standards, 4G home internet is a good second option. If you’re able to upgrade to a 5G home internet plan, the speeds alone make this a much better option than its predecessor, however 4G home internet can still provide a good alternative in today’s internet market, especially if you want to keep your internet costs down.

About our internet experts

Emma Bradstock: Senior Telco Specialist

As Canstar Blue’s Senior Telco Specialist, Emma Bradstock covers all things mobile phone and internet, which she’s focused on for over five years. Emma has over a decade of professional writing experience across print and digital media outlets and for digital agencies, and has turned her hand to multimedia content and social media management.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University. You can follow Emma on LinkedIn.

Josh Filosi: Data Insights Analyst

Josh Filosi is Canstar’s Data Insights Analyst, and helps develop and deliver the methodology for Canstar Blue’s Value Rankings and Awards for the telco industry. He holds a double-major in Economics and Behavioral Science, and enjoys interpreting complex data. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn.