If you’re looking for a WiFi plan, we’re assuming you just need access to the internet via your home's WiFi network, or possibly an internet plan that comes with a new WiFi modem.
While the terms 'WiFi' and 'internet' are often used in relation to each other, they aren't interchangable. Knowing the difference between them can help you find a good internet plan, while potentially saving money on hardware you don't need.
We'll also run you through some cheap internet plans on various connection technologies with an included or optional WiFi modem.
You can think of WiFi similarly to using an Ethernet or USB cable to transfer data from one device to another. The only important differences are that it does it wirelessly, and the data travels via a middleman device called a 'router'.
Given you wouldn't pay a monthly fee for the right to link two devices with a cable, you also don't pay ongoing costs to use your home's WiFi network. While a WiFi-connected device can access the internet via your modem (which is connected to your router), devices on the same WiFi network don't require the internet to transfer information locally.
Nonetheless, you'll see the term 'WiFi plan' around the web (including here) because it's used by many shoppers looking at internet plans, with or without an included WiFi modem.
You can read more about the difference between WiFi and internet below.
Cheap fixed-line NBN plans with WiFi
The cost of an NBN plan comes down to three main things: its speed tier, monthly data allowance, and the provider. There can be other factors, such as special features and bundling opportunities, which the provider may or may not make optional.
- Speed tier – your internet speed requirements won't necessarily match anyone else's. Lucky for you, we have a detailed guides to help you figure out what NBN speed tier you need. We recommend most households go with at least NBN 50, but price-wise the faster NBN 100 tends to be a similar or the same price.
- Data allowance – your data allowance is simpler to figure out. Most providers focus on unlimited NBN plans, so if you use more than 100GB per month, you'll likely go with unlimited. We have an internet data usage guide if you'd like to know more.
- Provider – NBN speed and reliability can vary depending on provider. However, ISPs are required to prominently display the average peak speeds for each of their plans, which can give you a good idea of expectations.
Watch out for timed discounts, which are listed in the deal text of our tables below, depending on the length of the deal period. Most providers now offer a cheaper price for the first 6 months, after which they bump up the monthly fees.
NBN 25 plans with a WiFi modem
NBN 25 offers relatively quick internet speeds at a lower monthly cost (even lower than NBN 12). While maximum download speeds of 25Mbps and uploads of 5–10Mbps aren’t anything exciting, small households can sometimes get away with it.
These are the cheapest NBN 25 plans with WiFi modem options in our database at the moment:
|
#1
|
SpinTel
All Fixed Line nbn®
Home Starter 25/10
$41/mth
+ $159.95 Upfront
Min. cost $200.95
|
|
#2
|
Tangerine Telecom
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value NBN 25/10
$42.90/mth
+ $198 Upfront
Min. cost $240.90
|
|
#3
|
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn25 Unlimited Plan
$43.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $213.89
|
|
#4
|
Moose NBN
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn 25/10 Value
$44.80/mth
+ $175 Upfront
Min. cost $219.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Flip
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick
Unlimited Premium nbn25
$48/mth
+ $199 Upfront
Min. cost $247
|
|
#6
|
Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®
NBN Starter – Unlimited
$49/mth
+ $84 Upfront
Min. cost $133
|
|
#7
|
MATE
All Fixed Line nbn®
Crikey nbn 25/10
$55/mth
+ $165 Upfront
Min. cost $220
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
Superloop
All Fixed Line nbn®
Everyday nbn25/10
$58/mth
+ $170 Upfront
Min. cost $228
|
|
#9
|
Aussie Broadband
All Fixed Line nbn®
Basic Plus nbn - Unlimited
$58/mth
+ $195 Upfront
Min. cost $253
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
iiNet
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn25 Liimitless
$59.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $69.99
Link not supplied
|
NBN 50 plans with a WiFi modem
NBN 50 speeds will suffice for a lot of homes, but given their pricing is in line with NBN 100, you might as well skip straight over them. Some providers have even stopped offering NBN 50 all together.
That said, you might still find the occasional cheaper price for NBN 50. And if you look past the first-six-month pricing, it's sometimes still cheaper in the long run than NBN 100.
Here are the cheapest NBN 50 plans with WiFi modem options in our database right now:
|
#1
|
Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®
NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited
$55/mth
+ $84 Upfront
Min. cost $139
|
|
#2
|
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$57.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $227.89
|
|
#3
|
Moose NBN
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn 50/20 Premium
$59.80/mth
+ $175 Upfront
Min. cost $234.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Tangerine Telecom
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value Plus NBN 50/20
$64.90/mth
+ $198 Upfront
Min. cost $262.90
|
|
#5
|
Flip
All Fixed Line nbn®
Unlimited Family nbn50
$68/mth
+ $199 Upfront
Min. cost $267
|
|
#6
|
Superloop
All Fixed Line nbn®
Extra-value nbn50/20
$69/mth
+ $170 Upfront
Min. cost $239
|
|
#7
|
iiNet
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Liimitless
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
TPG
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$69.99/mth
+ $124.95 Upfront
Min. cost $194.94
Link not supplied
|
|
#9
|
MATE
All Fixed Line nbn®
Ripper nbn 50/20
$70/mth
+ $165 Upfront
Min. cost $235
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
Aussie Broadband
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value nbn - Unlimited
$70/mth
+ $195 Upfront
Min. cost $265
Link not supplied
|
NBN 100 plans with a WiFi modem
NBN 100 is no longer the premium-priced product it once was. NBN Co brought in discounts for it a while back, bringing its pricing in line with the once-cheaper NBN 50.
It's also lost its place as the fastest plan available for some fixed-line NBN technologies, thanks to the faster NBN 250 and NBN 1000 speed tiers.
These are the cheapest NBN 100 plans with WiFi modem options on our system right now:
|
#1
|
Belong
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
NBN Premium – Unlimited
$59/mth
+ $84 Upfront
Min. cost $143
|
|
#2
|
Dodo
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Editor's Pick
nbn100 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $232.89
|
|
#3
|
Moose NBN
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
nbn 100/20 Elite
$63.80/mth
+ $175 Upfront
Min. cost $238.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Tangerine Telecom
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Speedy NBN 100/20
$67.90/mth
+ $198 Upfront
Min. cost $265.90
|
|
#5
|
Flip
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Unlimited Turbo Boost nbn100
$69/mth
+ $199 Upfront
Min. cost $268
|
|
#6
|
iiNet
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
nbn Home Fast Liimitless
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Tangerine Telecom
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Speedy Plus NBN 100/40
$73.90/mth
+ $198 Upfront
Min. cost $271.90
|
|
#8
|
Superloop
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Family nbn100/20
$74/mth
+ $170 Upfront
Min. cost $244
|
|
#9
|
TPG
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
nbn Home Fast Unlimited Plan
$74.99/mth
+ $124.95 Upfront
Min. cost $199.94
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
MATE
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
No Worries nbn 100/20
$75/mth
+ $165 Upfront
Min. cost $240
Link not supplied
|
NBN 250 plans with a WiFi modem
NBN 250 plans offer up to 250Mbps download and 100Mbps upload speeds, though not every NBN connection technology can benefit from (or even be eligible for) these plans.
The real-world download speeds of NBN 250 plans can vary between about 200Mbps and 250Mbps. But providers are required to prominently display the average peak-hour speeds of their plans, so you shouldn't be caught out.
These are the cheapest NBN 250 plans with WiFi modem options on our system right now:
|
#1
|
Superloop
FTTP, HFC
Creator nbn250/100
$82/mth
+ $170 Upfront
Min. cost $252
|
|
#2
|
Aussie Broadband
FTTP
Super-Fast Pro nbn - Unlimited
$114/mth
+ $195 Upfront
Min. cost $309
Link not supplied
|
NBN 1000 plans with a WiFi modem
NBN 1000, also known as 'Ultrafast', is currently the fastest NBN speed tier available to consumers. While its name suggests its fastest possible download speed is 1000Mbps (1Gbps), NBN only expects you to get 750Mbps at best the majority of the time.You also won't exceed 750Mbps unless you have a fibre to the premises (FTTP) connection.
NBN Co is more closed lips about expected real-world upload speeds for NBN 1000, but its wholesale maximum cutoff is 400Mbps.
Here are the cheapest NBN 1000 plans with WiFi modem options in our database right now:
|
#1
|
Belong
FTTP, HFC
NBN Fast – Unlimited
$59/mth
+ $84 Upfront
Min. cost $143
|
|
#2
|
Tangerine Telecom
FTTP, HFC
Speedy Max NBN 500/50
$59.90/mth
+ $198 Upfront
Min. cost $257.90
|
|
#3
|
Dodo
FTTP, HFC
Editor's Pick
nbn500 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $232.89
|
|
#4
|
Moose NBN
FTTP, HFC
nbn 500/50 Turbo
$63.80/mth
+ $175 Upfront
Min. cost $238.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
SpinTel
FTTP, HFC
Home Turbo 500/50
$69/mth
+ $159.95 Upfront
Min. cost $228.95
|
|
#6
|
Flip
FTTP, HFC
Unlimited Fast Speed nbn500
$69/mth
+ $199 Upfront
Min. cost $268
|
|
#7
|
iiNet
FTTP, HFC
nbn500 Liimitless
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
Superloop
FTTP, HFC
Family Max nbn500/50
$74/mth
+ $170 Upfront
Min. cost $244
|
|
#9
|
TPG
FTTP, HFC
nbn Home Fast Unlimited Plan
$74.99/mth
+ $124.95 Upfront
Min. cost $199.94
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
MATE
FTTP, HFC
No Worries nbn 500/50
$75/mth
+ $165 Upfront
Min. cost $240
Link not supplied
|
The pricing for NBN speed tiers isn't as simple as 'faster is more expensive' anymore.
NBN Co discounts the wholesale pricing of some speed tiers, but not others. NBN 25 is usually cheaper than NBN 12, which is why we don't recommend the latter. And NBN 100 is often the same price as, or barely more expensive than, NBN 50.
4G and 5G home wireless plans with WiFi
'Home wireless' is not the same as WiFi – it's a home internet connection that uses the 4G or 5G mobile networks of the major telcos. You generally get more bang for buck than a mobile phone plan, but you can't cart it about with you.
These plans all come with a home wireless 4G or 5G modem that has a built-in WiFi router.
5G home internet has the potential to replace your NBN connection. And, like the NBN, providers price the plans based on both monthly data allowances and speed caps.
4G home internet is a bit slower, and should really only be considered if you have limited internet usage, or if your connection options are few.
4G home wireless
Most 4G home wireless plans have a speed cap of about 20Mbps, with the rare 25Mbps exception. But telcos usually report slower typical evening speeds, sometimes putting 4G home internet speeds on par with an ADSL2+ connection from the dim, dark past of 8 or more years ago.
Upload speeds are generally around 2Mbps or under, which is extremely restrictive for a modern home internet connection.
|
#1
|
SpinTel
All Fixed Line nbn®
Home Starter 25/10
$41/mth
+ $159.95 Upfront
Min. cost $200.95
|
|
#2
|
Tangerine Telecom
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value NBN 25/10
$42.90/mth
+ $198 Upfront
Min. cost $240.90
|
|
#3
|
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn25 Unlimited Plan
$43.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $213.89
|
|
#4
|
Moose NBN
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn 25/10 Value
$44.80/mth
+ $175 Upfront
Min. cost $219.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Flip
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick
Unlimited Premium nbn25
$48/mth
+ $199 Upfront
Min. cost $247
|
|
#6
|
Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®
NBN Starter – Unlimited
$49/mth
+ $84 Upfront
Min. cost $133
|
|
#7
|
MATE
All Fixed Line nbn®
Crikey nbn 25/10
$55/mth
+ $165 Upfront
Min. cost $220
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
Superloop
All Fixed Line nbn®
Everyday nbn25/10
$58/mth
+ $170 Upfront
Min. cost $228
|
|
#9
|
Aussie Broadband
All Fixed Line nbn®
Basic Plus nbn - Unlimited
$58/mth
+ $195 Upfront
Min. cost $253
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
iiNet
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn25 Liimitless
$59.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $69.99
Link not supplied
|
50Mbps 5G home wireless
5G plans with 50Mbps downloads aren't that much cheaper than the 100Mbps options.
That said, if you only need 50Mbps downloads, you can save about $10 a month by going with this slower speed tier, depending on your provider.
|
#1
|
Belong
All Fixed Line nbn®
NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited
$55/mth
+ $84 Upfront
Min. cost $139
|
|
#2
|
Dodo
All Fixed Line nbn®
Editor's Pick
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$57.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $227.89
|
|
#3
|
Moose NBN
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn 50/20 Premium
$59.80/mth
+ $175 Upfront
Min. cost $234.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Tangerine Telecom
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value Plus NBN 50/20
$64.90/mth
+ $198 Upfront
Min. cost $262.90
|
|
#5
|
Flip
All Fixed Line nbn®
Unlimited Family nbn50
$68/mth
+ $199 Upfront
Min. cost $267
|
|
#6
|
Superloop
All Fixed Line nbn®
Extra-value nbn50/20
$69/mth
+ $170 Upfront
Min. cost $239
|
|
#7
|
iiNet
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Liimitless
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
TPG
All Fixed Line nbn®
nbn50 Unlimited Plan
$69.99/mth
+ $124.95 Upfront
Min. cost $194.94
Link not supplied
|
|
#9
|
MATE
All Fixed Line nbn®
Ripper nbn 50/20
$70/mth
+ $165 Upfront
Min. cost $235
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
Aussie Broadband
All Fixed Line nbn®
Value nbn - Unlimited
$70/mth
+ $195 Upfront
Min. cost $265
Link not supplied
|
100Mbps 5G home wireless
100Mbps is more than enough for most households. It has comparable download speeds to an NBN 100 plan, and are priced competitively in comparison.
If 5G coverage is good in your home, it might be worth considering if it's worth a try.
These are the cheapest 100Mbps 5G plans on our system right now:
|
#1
|
Belong
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
NBN Premium – Unlimited
$59/mth
+ $84 Upfront
Min. cost $143
|
|
#2
|
Dodo
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Editor's Pick
nbn100 Unlimited Plan
$62.99/mth
+ $169.90 Upfront
Min. cost $232.89
|
|
#3
|
Moose NBN
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
nbn 100/20 Elite
$63.80/mth
+ $175 Upfront
Min. cost $238.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Tangerine Telecom
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Speedy NBN 100/20
$67.90/mth
+ $198 Upfront
Min. cost $265.90
|
|
#5
|
Flip
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Unlimited Turbo Boost nbn100
$69/mth
+ $199 Upfront
Min. cost $268
|
|
#6
|
iiNet
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
nbn Home Fast Liimitless
$69.99/mth
+ $10 Upfront
Min. cost $79.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Tangerine Telecom
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Speedy Plus NBN 100/40
$73.90/mth
+ $198 Upfront
Min. cost $271.90
|
|
#8
|
Superloop
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Family nbn100/20
$74/mth
+ $170 Upfront
Min. cost $244
|
|
#9
|
TPG
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
nbn Home Fast Unlimited Plan
$74.99/mth
+ $124.95 Upfront
Min. cost $199.94
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
MATE
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
No Worries nbn 100/20
$75/mth
+ $165 Upfront
Min. cost $240
Link not supplied
|
Uncapped 5G home wireless
5G home wireless plans with uncapped speeds can have very different performance, depending on where you live and the coverage in your home. We've seen as high as 1Gbps (1000Mbps) in Sydney, but providers aren't promising speeds anything like this.
Currently only Telstra, Optus, SpinTel and Yomojo offer uncapped 5G plans. The current advertised speeds are above 500Mbps for Telstra, 240Mbps for Optus and SpinTel, and 225Mbps for Yomojo.
These are the cheapest uncapped 5G home internet plans on our system right now:
|
#1
|
Superloop
FTTP, HFC
Creator nbn250/100
$82/mth
+ $170 Upfront
Min. cost $252
|
|
#2
|
Aussie Broadband
FTTP
Super-Fast Pro nbn - Unlimited
$114/mth
+ $195 Upfront
Min. cost $309
Link not supplied
|
Each of these home wireless plans comes with a WiFi modem, and if you’re unhappy with the service you can return that modem for free with Telstra and Vodafone, but not Optus.
If you sign up to Optus and are unhappy with the service within the life of your contract, you’ll need to pay out the remaining cost of the modem.
The only exception is if you're unable to achieve the consistent download speeds guaranteed by Optus. These are 40Mbps or 50Mbps, depending on the 5G home internet plan. If Optus agrees you're not getting the agreed-upon speed, you'll have 30 days to return the modem in good working order at no additional cost. These guarantees only apply to 5G plans, however.
Telstra plans with a WiFi modem
Telstra offers a wide variety of internet plans with varying connection types, all of which can come with a WiFi modem.
Some options include a no term contract and to save a bit of cash, and bundling can also be an option on selected plans.
Telstra's fixed-line NBN plans come with the Telstra Smart Modem 3, which is a WiFi modem that uses 4G as a backup if your internet goes down, capped at 25Mbps downloads and 5Mbps up.
This WiFi modem is free with the plan, but if you leave within 24 months you have to return it or pay a $200 non-return fee.
These are Telstra's fixed-line NBN plans with a WiFi modem:
|
#1
|
Telstra
All Fixed Line nbn®
Basic Internet Only Plan
$89/mth
+ $240 Upfront
Min. cost $284.50
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
All Fixed Line nbn®
Upfront Internet Plan Basic
$97/mth
Min. cost $48.50
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
FTTP, HFC
Premium Internet Only Plan
$99/mth
+ $240 Upfront
Min. cost $289.50
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Telstra
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Premium Internet Only Plan
$99/mth
+ $240 Upfront
Min. cost $289.50
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Telstra
FTTP, HFC
Upfront Internet Plan Premium
$113/mth
Min. cost $56.50
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Telstra
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Upfront Internet Plan Premium
$113/mth
Min. cost $56.50
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Telstra
FTTP, HFC
Ultimate Internet Only Plan
$119/mth
+ $240 Upfront
Min. cost $299.50
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
Telstra
FTTP, HFC
Ultrafast Internet Only Plan
$129/mth
+ $240 Upfront
Min. cost $304.50
Link not supplied
|
|
#9
|
Telstra
FTTP, HFC
Upfront Internet Plan Ultimate
$129/mth
Min. cost $64.50
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
Telstra
FTTP, HFC
Upfront Internet Plan Ultrafast
$139/mth
Min. cost $69.50
Link not supplied
|
Telstra offers just one 5G home internet plan. It comes with the Telstra 5G Modem (which has WiFi) that connects to 5G, as opposed to an NBN box or an outlet in your wall.
This WiFi modem is free, but if you leave within 24 months you must return it in good working order or pay a non-return fee of $400.
Here's Telstra's 5G home internet offering, complete with WiFi modem:
|
#1
|
Telstra
Basic 5G Home Internet - 1TB
$70/mth
Min. cost $70
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
Essential 5G Home Internet - 1TB
$80/mth
Min. cost $80
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Telstra
Premium 5G Home Internet - 1TB
$95/mth
Min. cost $95
Link not supplied
|
Optus plans with a WiFi modem
Optus is another internet provider that consistently performs well and offers numerous plans for both light and heavy users, many of which can include a WiFi modem.
For NBN plans, Optus gives you the option to bring your own modem or sign up to a 36-month contract and get one of its Ultra WiFi Modems for free. That said, if you leave the contract within 36 months you have to pay out the remainder of what you 'owe' on the WiFi modem, which for the Gen 1 model is $252 minus $7 per month you've been on the plan, and for the Gen 2 is $306 minus $8.50 per month you've been on the plan.
Probably the main reason to consider one of these modems is their 4G backup, which kicks in when your NBN goes down.
These are Optus' fixed-line NBN plans with a WiFi modem:
|
#1
|
Optus
All Fixed Line nbn®
Optus Basic nbn®
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Optus
All Fixed Line nbn®
Optus Everyday nbn®
$82/mth
Min. cost $82
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Optus
FTTP, HFC
Optus Fast nbn®
$84/mth
Min. cost $84
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Optus
FTTN, FTTB, FTTC
Optus Fast nbn®
$84/mth
Min. cost $84
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Optus
FTTP, HFC
Optus Ultrafast nbn®
$114/mth
Min. cost $114
Link not supplied
|
Optus' 5G home wireless plans come with a 5G WiFi modem, which you have to pay for if you leave your plan within 36 months. There's no option to bring your own.
Other than paying for the modem, there are no other early cancellation fees.
Here are Optus' 5G home internet plans with WiFi:
|
#1
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday 5G
$54/mth
Min. cost $54
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday Fast 5G
$64/mth
Min. cost $64
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Optus
Editor's Pick
Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G
$84/mth
Min. cost $84
Link not supplied
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Optus has just one 4G home wireless plan. It comes a 4G WiFi modem, which you have to pay for if you leave your plan within 24 months.
Other than paying for the modem, there are no other early cancellation fees.
Optus stands out among other 4G home internet providers because of its 25Mbps speed cap for downlaods, versus the standard 20Mbps.
What's the difference between ‘WiFi’ and ‘internet’?
WiFi is just a way for nearby devices to wirelessly pass information back and forth. To do this, they both need to be on the same WiFi network, which is created by your WiFi 'router'.
If you imagine data transfer as your devices exchanging hand-written notes, they first pass a note to your router, which then delivers it to another device on its network. There's no need for an internet connection for this to work.
So how does the internet factor in? To expand the metaphor, think of your 'modem' as a postbox and the internet as the postal system. This time, your router puts the note in an addressed envelope and passes it to your modem, which then sends it off into the internet.
Depending on your home network setup, your modem might be connected to your router via an ethernet cable or it could be part of a 'modem router' (often called a 'WiFi modem'), which is a modem and a router housed within the same device.
If that sounds complicated, check out our guide detailing the difference between modems and routers.
Tricks to make your WiFi internet better
If your internet is slow, your WiFi could be the problem. Many speed-related issues stem from modem router issues and not from NBN or other internet connections. There are a few ways to get better WiFi at home:
Check the strength of your WiFi signal
A good first step is to check your WiFi signal strength in each room of your home. If it's not at full strength in every room you use it, you might significantly improve your internet experience by using some of the advice below. In fact, if your WiFi is the problem then switching providers might not help at all.
You can wander from room to room with an eye on your phone's WiFi icon, but you'll get better results using a WiFi analyser app, available on iPhone and Android.
WiFi router placement
While WiFi doesn't require uninterrupted line of sight, you want it to have as clear a shot as possible to the areas of your home where you use it the most. If the layout of your home makes this impossible, consider getting a WiFi mesh system to extend the signal further.
Try to place it about 1.5 metres from the floor if you can. Don't hide it behind anything and certainly don't keep it in a drawer or cupboard.
Look for interference and signal blockers
Major electronic devices, walls, floors, and other large, dense objects can block or interfere with your WiFi signal.
An often-overlooked culprit the humble mirror. Placing a router close to a mirror can mean the signal gets reflected back to the router, interfering with itself and causing problems.
Consider a powerline adapter
Connecting a device directly to your router with an Ethernet cable is still the best and most reliable way to ensure a good signal, but you might not want to run cables throughout your home.
One workaround is to use powerline Ethernet adapters. These gadgets transfer data to each other via the power cables in your walls. But there are two serious downsides:
- They can only transfer data to another adapter on the same electrical circuit.
- Data signals can be easily interrupted by any electrical activity on the same circuit. 'Noisy' electronic devices like a kettle can seriously hamper data transfer while they're in use.
Consider WiFi mesh systems
WiFi mesh networking is the new go-to for getting a WiFi signal to every part of your home.
Mesh is a system where a single WiFi router acts as the main router, but with additional WiFi points or nodes around your house that boost the signal. These points can also talk to each other, as opposed to only the router, and can blanket a wide area with strong signal.
But you can't take any old router and add mesh points – it has to be a mesh router.
This is different to older WiFi 'extenders'. WiFi extenders also boost your signal, and can connect to any WiFi router. But they can only talk directly to your router, and they create a new WiFi network, separate to your router's. As such, you have to manually switch between WiFi networks as you move from one coverage area to another.
How to get an internet plan with WiFi
Pretty much every ISP can provide a WiFi modem router (sometimes a WiFi mesh system) with an internet plan. So, if you want a cheap plan with a WiFi modem router, just pick an internet plan and see what WiFi options your chosen provider offers with it.
Some providers sell WiFi modem routers as an upfront purchase. Others offer a 'free' modem router, as long as you sign up to a lock-in contract. Contracts aren't the industry standard anymore, so this is an unusual commitment.
For example, Vodafone, Telstra and Optus offer a 'free' modem router, but only if you sign up for 24 or 36 months. You you can return Telstra's modem router for free on its Upfront NBN plans, but Optus and Vodafone will make you pay a fee based on how long is left in your contract.
It's also wise to look up reviews of the specific WiFi unit on offer. Many telcos have at least two options at different prices. Sometimes the cheapest one is cheap for a reason. And sometimes both are no-gos, in which case you might want to buy one separately from a retailer.
You can almost always use your current WiFi router or modem router with a new internet provider or plan. You might need to change a few settings, but your ISP should be able to run you through this simple process quickly.
A few ISP-provided WiFi modems do have extra features, such as Optus' and Telstra's 4G backup. These provider-specific features won't work with a different ISP, but the unit's basic WiFi and modem functions should still work.
Even if you switch to a different internet technology that doesn't use or need the 'modem' function of your WiFi modem, you can disable its modem and just use it as a WiFi router.
Alex Angove-Plumb, Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut
FAQs
How do I get WiFi at home?
To set up a WiFi connection, you'll first need a router or modem router (AKA WiFi modem). A lot of providers include them when you sign up for an internet plan so begin your search by comparing internet plans, while also finding out what available internet connection types are suitable for your address.
How long should it take to get internet connected?
Depending on whether you're switching providers or setting up a new connection, and what type of connection it is (NBN or home wireless, etc.), connectivity times vary slightly.
NBN plans are generally switched same day, as long as your home is already connected to the NBN.
Home wireless plans can be activated as soon as you receive your WiFi modem, the timing of which depends on the provider and where you live.
Anula Wiwatowska
Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram
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