Compare Home Wireless Broadband Plans & Deals

What is home wireless broadband?

Home wireless broadband is technology that allows a modem to access the internet remotely, generally by using the same 4G or 5G mobile networks that connect your phone. Unlike NBN, home wireless doesn’t need to connect to a fixed line in your wall; instead, you can plug in a home wireless modem into any power outlet. While home wireless broadband and mobile broadband use the same technology, home wireless plans come packaged with a modem/router, and are designed to be used as a replacement for a fixed line internet connection.

Home wireless broadband is also known as wireless internet, wireless broadband, and — depending on the mobile technology used — 4G home internet or 5G home internet. All home wireless plans will offer coverage on either Telstra, Optus or Vodafone’s networks, even if you buy from a smaller telco.

A home wireless plan can be a good alternative to NBN or fibre internet, but can sometimes be inconsistent or slow compared to fixed line broadband, especially on 4G-only plans.

Why compare home wireless broadband plans with Canstar Blue?

How to find a home wireless broadband plan

1. Compare using Canstar Blue to find the right home wireless broadband plan for you. You’ll want to look at your budget, the speed you’ll need for your household size and usage, the required data amount (if applicable), and if you want any extras.
2. Sign up with your new provider. If you’ve found a great plan with Canstar Blue’s comparison tool, you can click through in your search results to be taken straight to the provider’s website. You can order a new plan easily online.
3. Contact your current provider to cancel your old internet plan and settle any remaining bills and charges. Once you’ve received your home wireless broadband modem and SIM card, simply plug it in and you’ll be connected in minutes. 

How to choose the best home wireless broadband plan

Choosing the best home wireless broadband plan can be daunting, but ideally you’ll want to look for a combination of three factors: internet speed and network type, monthly price, and data allowance.

Choose the right home wireless broadband speed

With 5G technology rolling out across Australia, wireless internet customers may have the choice between 4G or 5G speeds in eligible areas. 4G is more widely available, and tends to be slightly cheaper, with speeds generally reaching around 25 megabits per second (Mbps) in busy periods. This is similar to what you’ll experience on an NBN 25 plan. Some 4G plans may also reach faster speeds in off-peak hours.

5G is much faster than 4G, and is ideal for bigger families or homes that have more intensive usage needs, such as multiple video streams or online gaming. Most providers that offer 5G home wireless now give customers a choice of speed caps, and usually sell 50Mbps and 100Mbps plans. However, Telstra and Optus do offer uncapped 5G speeds on selected plans, with typical busy hour download speeds of between  240-340Mbps.

Do you know how fast your internet speed is?

Click here to find out

Find the right price for home wireless broadband

Home wireless broadband plans tend to start at around $55 per month, with maximum prices at around the $99 monthly mark for superfast 5G. Pricing is determined by your plan’s network technology and speed (e.g 4G or 5G, and if speeds are capped), as well as the plan’s data inclusions. 

If you’ve got a budget in mind, this can help narrow down your options, although you’ll want to make sure your plan has enough speed and data for your home. You may also want to consider extras, such as included modems, antivirus protection, or entertainment (for example, Optus includes a Netflix subscription in its most expensive home wireless plan). All of these may drive up the price of your monthly bill.

If you are a new customer, you may be eligible for an introductory discount for your first six or 12 months — these offers will be highlighted in our comparison tool. Generally, home wireless broadband plans can be cheaper or on par with NBN plans at a similar speed, so can be a great-value option for homes without reliable NBN access.

Determine your home wireless data needs

Most wireless internet providers now offer unlimited data across most plans, which means you won’t need to worry about excess data charges. If you’re shopping for a 4G home wireless broadband plan, data-capped options are still available from some telcos, which may be worth considering if you’re not a heavy user — just be careful not to exceed your monthly limit.

Almost all 5G home wireless broadband plans include unlimited data, with the exception of Telstra’s plan. Telstra offers customers a data allowance of one terabyte each month, or 1,000GB. This should be more than enough for the vast majority of homes, but if you do go over, you won’t be charged for excess data usage. Instead, your speeds will be slowed to 25Mbps for the rest of your billing cycle.

About our NBN experts

Tara Donnelly: Utilities Editor

As Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, Tara Donnelly covers the electricity, internet and mobile sectors – topics she’s spent a decade focused on, alongside consumer technology, within the comparison industry. Her telco expertise has seen her appear in national media including 9 News, 7 News, Sunrise, the ABC and The Sydney Morning Herald. You can follow Tara on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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.