The NBN has become the standard for home broadband in Australia, but you don’t need an NBN plan to access the internet. Many people forgo a fixed-line connection and use alternative methods to get online. In this article Canstar Blue looks at mobile broadband vs the NBN.
In this guide:
NBN vs mobile broadband: What’s the difference?
NBN and mobile broadband are two common types of broadband available across Australia.
Mobile broadband is a type of wireless connection that uses a SIM card to connect you to a mobile network. This SIM card can be inserted into a wireless modem, dongle, phone or tablet. Because of this, mobile broadband is a portable option that can be accessed anywhere mobile coverage from your provider is available.
The NBN is a nationwide broadband network that uses a range of technologies to connect you to the internet. While most NBN connections use cable, NBN plans are also available on wireless and satellite connections in regional areas. However, all NBN connections are limited to your home or business address, so you can’t take your service on the go.
While both types of broadband ultimately get you online, they differ in several key ways. NBN and mobile broadband plans are priced differently and will usually feature differences in speeds and data inclusions.
Is mobile broadband cheaper than the NBN?
Mobile broadband plans are generally more affordable than NBN plans with comparable upload and download speeds.
Mobile broadband plans typically start at around $15-20 per month for smaller data inclusions, to around $90 per month for hundreds of gigabytes of data. Plans are priced by how much data is included each month or expiry period, as well as the type of network coverage available, for example 4G only, or both 4G and 5G.
In comparison, NBN plans usually start at around $65 per month for a 25 megabits per second (Mbps) plan, although discounts for new customers are often available. NBN 50 plans can start at under $60 per month with promotions, but at full price, they typically cost at least $75 per month.
Compare NBN plans
Unlimited NBN 100 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 100 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 50 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 50 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 25 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 25 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Unlimited NBN 12 Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited NBN 12 plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
Mobile broadband vs NBN: What are the extra costs?
With an unlimited NBN plan, you won’t need to worry about excess charges – almost all plans now include unlimited monthly data as default. If you are on a plan with a capped data inclusion, you won’t be charged for extra data use. Instead, your provider will reduce your maximum speed until the next billing period begins.
On a mobile broadband plan, the cost of any data you use beyond your monthly allowance can vary. While some plans may cut you off once your data cap is reached, some providers, including including Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, will simply slow your speeds for the rest of your billing cycle. Other telcos may charge you for excess data use, usually at a rate of around $10 per gigabyte.
Compare mobile broadband plans
Mobile Broadband Plans Compared: 100GB+
The following table shows a selection of published 100GB and over mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $34.90 over first month |
100GB | $34.90 | Go to Site |
 |
Medium 100GB
min. cost $35 over one month billing period |
100GB | $35 | |
|
min. cost $49.90 over first month |
200GB | $49.90 | Go to Site |
 |
min. cost $60 over one month billing period |
120GB | $60 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $64.90 over first month |
400GB | $64.90 | Go to Site |
 |
min. cost $780 over 12 month plan period |
100GB | $65 | Go to Site |
|
Large 400GB
min. cost $70 over one month billing period |
400GB | $70 | |
|
min. cost $70 over one month billing period |
220GB | $70 | Go to Site |
 |
Large
min. cost $90 over one month |
400GB | $90 | |
 View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Mobile Broadband Plans Compared: Over 50GB
The following table shows a selection of published mobile broadband plans with 50GB – 100GB of data on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $40 over first month |
70GB | $40 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $480 over 12 month plan period |
50GB | $40 | Go To Site |
 |
SIM Only 50GB
min. cost $40 over 28 day billing period |
50GB | $40 | |
|
min. cost $40 over one month billing period |
45GB | $40 | Go to Site |
|
Medium
min. cost $58 over one month |
75GB | $58 | |
|
SIM Only 90GB
min. cost $60 over 28 day billing period |
90GB | $60 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Mobile Broadband Plans Compared: Under 50GB
The following table shows a selection of published mobile broadband plans with less than 50GB of data on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Small 20GB
min. cost $15 over one month billing period |
20GB | $15 | |
|
min. cost $180 over 12 month plan period |
7GB | $15 | Go To Site |
|
SIM Only 7GB
min. cost $15 over 28 day billing period |
7GB | $15 | |
|
min. cost $20 over first month |
30GB | $20 | Go to Site |
|
Small
min. cost $25 over one month |
30GB | $25 | |
|
min. cost $300 over 12 month plan period |
15GB | $25 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Is the NBN faster than mobile broadband?
You’ll find that the NBN is consistently faster than 4G mobile broadband, especially with high-speed plans. However, 5G plans have the potential to rival or even surpass NBN speeds. Depending on your plan, you may find your download speeds are capped at 100Mbps or 250Mbps, which is equivalent to fast NBN 100 or NBN 250 speeds.
NBN plans are sold by speed tier (such as NBN 25, NBN 50, NBN 100, NBN 250 and so on), with the number indicating the maximum download speed they can technically reach in Mbps. Depending on your NBN technology type, you may have access to gigabit 1000Mbps plans, which generally offer an average busy hour performance of between 700-800Mbps.
How do peak times affect mobile broadband?
Peak-hour usage can significantly affect mobile broadband performance, as it can NBN speeds. During these times, typically in the evening when more people are online, network congestion increases. This means that more users are sharing the same network resources, which can lead to slower speeds and reduced performance.
How does 4G compare to 5G?
When comparing wireless internet plans, you’ll notice that the cheaper options tend to use only 4G networks, while the premium plans utilise faster 5G networks.
5G networks are a significant upgrade from 4G, offering much faster speeds. The most affordable 5G home internet plans are equivalent to NBN 50 speeds, and the speeds increase with more expensive plans.
On the other hand, 4G wireless broadband is roughly equivalent to an NBN 25 plan. It’s suitable for keeping one or two people online, allowing you to stream videos, listen to music, and browse the web, but it may struggle with more demanding tasks.
Is mobile broadband the same as WiFi?
Mobile broadband and WiFi are different but related:
- Mobile broadband: Provides internet access via cellular/mobile networks (like 4G and 5G) using a SIM card. It can be accessed through mobile hotspots, USB dongles, or devices with built-in cellular capabilities.
- WiFi: The wireless signal that is transmitted by a router throughout your home that allows multiple users or devices to connect to your home internet network.
Is mobile broadband better than the NBN?
Whether mobile broadband or the NBN is better for you comes down to your personal preference and how you plan to use your internet connection. If you want a stable connection at home with unlimited downloads, the NBN is likely the better choice.
However, if you prefer internet access on the go and don’t need ultra-fast speeds or large data allowances, mobile broadband might be more suitable for you.
Alternatively, you could consider home wireless broadband, which also uses 4G or 5G mobile networks, but may be better suited as an NBN alternative in the home.
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