Wireless internet options in Australia have improved massively in recent years and now provide a genuine alternative to a fixed-line connection. While fixed wireless internet is necessary for people who can’t get a fixed-line connection, the improvements made to some of the best internet plans in Australia makes a more compelling case for ditching the NBN altogether.
So, if you think your home wireless internet plan could do with improving, or you want to find out if there’s a potentially better internet option out there to rival your fixed-line NBN connection, we’re here to help. We’ve compared the best wireless internet plans, in partnership with WhistleOut, including NBN fixed wireless, 4G and 5G home internet and even 4G and 5G mobile broadband.
Current Wireless Internet Plan Deals
Looking for some quick recommendations for the best wireless broadband options in Australia? We’ve picked out some of the standout deals currently available, which you can check out below.
- NBN Fixed Wireless - Tangerine XL Speed Boost for AU$54.90p/m
- 4G Home Internet - TPG Home Wireless Unlimited from AU$44.99p/m
- 5G Home Internet - TPG 5G Home Broadband Premium from AU$54.99p/m
Best NBN Fixed Wireless Plans
The National Broadband Network (NBN) has made it its mission to provide internet access to the entire country. The majority of Australians can access the internet through a fixed-line connection, but for those in more remote areas of the country, NBN fixed wireless is onhand to keep you connected.
As with its fixed-line counterpart, NBN fixed wireless plans are broken down into different speed tiers, and some may also have a limit on the amount of data you can download. So, as with any internet plan, it’s worth doing your homework to find out which option is best for you.
It’s also worth noting that the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) found in its latest Measuring Broadband Australia report, that “users of NBN fixed wireless services attained an average download performance of 110.2% of plan speeds during all hours, decreasing to 87.6% during the busy hours.”
For NBN fixed wireless customers on the equivalent of an NBN 50 plan, which advertises up to 50Mbps download speeds, this means that during most hours of the day, speeds between 56Mbps and 65Mbps were reported. During the typical busy hours in the evening, between 7pm - 11pm, download speeds of 38Mbps - 56Mbps were recorded.
So, while you may initially think a fixed wireless internet plan isn’t going to offer much in the way of performance, the opposite is in fact the case.
Best NBN Fixed Wireless plan: our pick
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Best Home Wireless Internet Plans
Australia’s 4G and 5G network coverage has been steadily improving in recent years and is now a genuine internet option for people looking for a fast, reliable connection.
5G home internet, in particular, has the potential to offer download speeds that far exceed those offered on a fixed-line NBN connection.
4G home internet speeds may be slower in comparison, but they offer an easier and more convenient way of getting online for people in more remote areas.
Best 5G home wireless plan: our pick
When 5G home internet first became available in Australia, it was only Telstra and Optus that could offer it. And Telstra was by invitation only. But now Vodafone has joined the party, Telstra has dropped its invitation policy and overall 5G coverage has increased considerably.
This means 5G home internet is a genuine option for Australians wanting to get online and experience superfast download speeds. And, with increased competition, the telco providers are starting to offer better deals to help entice you. We’ve picked out our favourite plan for most people below, but check out the best 5G home internet plans for more deals.
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Best 4G home wireless plan: our pick
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Best Mobile Broadband Plans
Mobile broadband can be useful if you spend a lot of your time away from home but still require an internet connection. It’s available at both 4G and 5G speeds and can serve as an alternative to using your smartphone as a personal hotspot. But, mobile broadband can get expensive if you need to buy a compatible modem, as telcos charge a monthly fee for them.
You can get SIM-only mobile broadband plans, but these require you to have your own modem. You could, for example, put a SIM card in an old phone and use it as a personal hotspot. The key thing to remember with mobile broadband is that there is usually a limit on the amount of data included.
The plans we’ve selected below are based on the assumption that you need to pay for the compatible modem.
Best 5G mobile broadband plans: our pick
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Best 4G mobile broadband plans: our pick
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Home wireless internet FAQ
What is fixed wireless internet?
Fixed wireless internet is a connection type predominantly used by people in rural and regional areas of Australia. The ACCC estimates that 4% of NBN customers are served by an NBN fixed wireless connection.
Fixed wireless broadband is served to home via base towers emitting radio waves that are received by an antenna installed on the roof of your property. The antenna connects to an NBN device inside your property, which connects to a modem to emit a Wi-Fi signal which your devices connect to.
Is wireless broadband better than the NBN?
Yes and no. For some Australians, wireless broadband is the only option for connecting to the internet, as their property isn’t served by a fixed-line NBN connection. Some others may find they live in an area with good 5G network coverage and so can achieve faster download speeds than what is possible from their fixed-line connection.
However, wireless internet options can be affected by network congestion, interference to the wireless signal and the distance between the property and the base tower. While the ACCC has found NBN fixed-wireless providers deliver 110% of download speeds across all hours, this isn’t a guarantee that you will experience the same. A fixed-line NBN connection is more likely to offer consistent speeds.
