How fast is home wireless internet? 4G, 5G speeds vs. NBN

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 16 September 2022

Home wireless internet is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to the NBN, and it's easy to understand why. Powered by 4G and 5G mobile networks, it's a plug-and-play solution that gets you online instantly. There's no waiting around for a technician. No one needs to dig up your yard. All you need is mobile coverage.

We're often asked, "just how fast is home wireless broadband?". As is the case with the NBN, home wireless internet plans come in a range of speeds. But while the NBN has six distinct speed tiers, the speed of your home wireless internet largely depends on whether you're lucky enough to have 5G coverage, or if you're limited to 4G.

With that in mind, here's a look at the different types of home wireless broadband connections you can get in Australia, the speeds you can expect, and available plans. Before you dive in, you might want to run an internet speed test on your current connection to get an idea of whether home wireless broadband is for you.

In this guide:

What speed should my 4G home internet be?
What speed should my 5G home internet be?
How do home wireless internet speeds compare to the NBN?

What speed should my 4G home internet be?

The vast majority of 4G home internet plans come with a speed cap - that is, a download speed they won't exceed, even though the network may be capable of going faster. The exact speed cap will depend on your provider.

4G home internet plans powered by the Vodafone network have their speeds capped to 20Mbps. This includes plans from Vodafone itself, TPG, iiNet, Internode, and Kogan Internet.

Optus' 4G home internet plans are capped at 25Mbps. That makes them just a little bit faster.

Of course, it's worth noting that you're not guaranteed to get 20Mbps or 25Mbps all of the time. Congestion and coverage can impact the performance of a 4G home internet connection. None of these providers advertise typical evening speeds - the speeds you can expect during the busiest hours of the day.

Here's a selection of 4G home internet plans from these providers, sorted by price.

#1	Optus	Optus Optus Plus Everyday Basic 4G 4G Home Internet 14/4 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $44/mth for a year, then $59/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $260. Ends 6/10. $44/mth for first 12 months, then $59/mth or as notified Min. cost $44 Link not supplied	$44/mth for first 12 months, then $59/mth or as notified Min. cost $44	Link not supplied
#2	SpinTel	SpinTel 4G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (25Mbit) 4G Home Internet 25/2 Mbps Unlimited Data $49.95/mth + $20 Upfront Min. cost $69.95 Link not supplied	$49.95/mth + $20 Upfront Min. cost $69.95	Link not supplied
#3	iiNet	iiNet Home Wireless Broadband 4G Home Internet 14/2 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $10/mth off for first 6 months, then $59.99/mth + $10 off for existing iiNet customers. Offer available until withdrawn. $49.99/mth for first 6 months, then $59.99/mth Min. cost $49.99 Link not supplied	$49.99/mth for first 6 months, then $59.99/mth Min. cost $49.99	Link not supplied
#4	TPG	TPG Home Wireless Broadband 4G Home Internet 14/2 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $10/mth off for 6 months! $49.99/mth for first 6 months, then $59.99/mth. Available until withdrawn. T&C apply. $49.99/mth for 6 mths, then $59.99/mth Min. cost $49.99 Link not supplied	$49.99/mth for 6 mths, then $59.99/mth Min. cost $49.99	Link not supplied
#5	Yomojo	Yomojo 4G Internet 25 4G Home Internet 16/5 Mbps Unlimited Data $59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90 Link not supplied	$59.90/mth Min. cost $59.90	Link not supplied
#6	Vodafone	Vodafone 4G Home Internet Unlimited 4G Home Internet 14/2 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $5/mth off for first 12 mths + Save $10/mth when you already have a mobile phone plan with Vodafone $60/mth for 12 mths, then $65/mth Min. cost $60 Link not supplied	$60/mth for 12 mths, then $65/mth Min. cost $60	Link not supplied
#7	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet 4G Home Internet Plan 4G Home Internet 17/1.9 Mbps Unlimited Data Prepaid (90 Days) Deal: Free modem included on the Kogan 90-day 4G Internet Plan! Average cost $49.90/mth (based on total once-off cost $149.70) $149.70 $49.90/mth average cost Link not supplied	$149.70 $49.90/mth average cost	Link not supplied

What speed should my 5G home internet be?

If you want the fastest home wireless broadband around, you'll need to get a 5G powered connection. 5G home internet plans come in two types. The first is a cheaper option with a speed cap, whereas the second is a more expensive product with uncapped speeds.

Speed cap plans are available with maximum speeds of 50Mbps or 100Mbps, while uncapped plans can go as fast as network conditions allow. Telstra is the only provider that doesn't currently have speed cap plans

The actual speeds you get will of course vary from provider to provider.

For example, Optus reports typical speeds of 83Mbps during busy hours on its capped plan, and 225Mbps for its more expensive uncapped plan. Telstra reports typical download speeds of 378Mbps on its 5G home internet plan, but also provides a range of between 50Mbps and 600Mbps. Vodafone network providers - Vodafone, TPG, iiNet, and Internode - currently don't have any more detailed speed guidance.

Here's what you'll pay for a capped 5G home internet plan:

#1	TPG	TPG 5G Home Broadband Plus 5G Home Internet 50/16 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Special offer - Includes $30/mth off for 6 months! $29.99/mth for first 6 months, then $59.99/mth. Available until withdrawn. $29.99/mth for 6 mths, then $59.99/mth Min. cost $29.99 Link not supplied	$29.99/mth for 6 mths, then $59.99/mth Min. cost $29.99	Link not supplied
#2	iiNet	iiNet 5G Home Broadband Plus 5G Home Internet 50/16 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Special Offer - Includes $20/mth off for first 6 months, then $59.99/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $39.99/mth for first 6 months, then $59.99/mth Min. cost $39.99 Link not supplied	$39.99/mth for first 6 months, then $59.99/mth Min. cost $39.99	Link not supplied
#3	Optus	Optus Optus Plus Everyday 5G 5G Home Internet 50/11 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $54/mth for a year, then $69/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $522. Ends 6/10. $54/mth for first 12 months, then $69/mth or as notified Min. cost $54 Link not supplied	$54/mth for first 12 months, then $69/mth or as notified Min. cost $54	Link not supplied
#4	Vodafone	Vodafone 5G Home Internet Plus Plan 5G Home Internet 50/16 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $15/mth off for first 12 mths + Save $10/mth when you already have a mobile phone plan with Vodafone $55/mth for 12 mths, then $70/mth Min. cost $55 Link not supplied	$55/mth for 12 mths, then $70/mth Min. cost $55	Link not supplied
#5	SpinTel	SpinTel 5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (50Mbit) 5G Home Internet 50 Mbps Unlimited Data $55/mth + $25 Upfront Min. cost $80 Link not supplied	$55/mth + $25 Upfront Min. cost $80	Link not supplied

And here's what you'll pay for an uncapped 5G home internet plan:

Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G

5G Home Internet 230/20 Mbps
Unlimited Data
Deal: $84/mth for a year, then $99/mth or as notified. New services. Incl intro offer + extra $5/mth off. Min cost $552. Ends 6/10.

$84/mth

Min. cost $84

Link not supplied

$84/mth

Min. cost $84

Link not supplied

5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (240Mbit)

5G Home Internet 240 Mbps
Unlimited Data

$89/mth

+ $25 Upfront

Min. cost $114

Link not supplied

$89/mth

+ $25 Upfront

Min. cost $114

Link not supplied

Premium 5G Home Internet - 1TB

5G Home Internet 300/30 Mbps
1000GB Data

$95/mth

Min. cost $95

Link not supplied

$95/mth

Min. cost $95

Link not supplied

How do home wireless internet speeds compare to the NBN?

Home wireless internet is regularly touted as an NBN alternative, but how exactly do the speeds compare?

For the most part, a 4G home internet connection should be pretty similar to an NBN 25 plan. That makes it good for one or two people, but it could be a bit of a stretch for larger households.

Capped 5G home internet plans are the equivalent to an NBN 50 or NBN 100 plan, while uncapped 5G home internet plans can best NBN 250 plans and rival the typical evening speeds offered by some NBN 1000 plans.

The trade-off with 5G home internet plans is they can be less consistent. When testing Telstra 5G home internet, for example, we typically experienced speeds between 300Mbps and 500Mbps. That's a pretty big range, compared to say, an NBN 50 or NBN 100 plan where most providers are now reporting close to maximum speeds during busy hours. Of course, 300Mbps is still three times faster than an NBN 100 plan.

Here's a selection of popular NBN 50 plans:

#1	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo All Fixed Line nbn® Editor's Pick nbn50 Unlimited Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $87.99/mth. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply. $57.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $87.99/mth Min. cost $57.99 Go to Site*	$57.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $87.99/mth Min. cost $57.99	Go to Site
#2	amaysim	amaysim All Fixed Line nbn® NBN50 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $40/mth off for the first 6 months ($30 NBN Sale + $10 Standard Intro offer), then $85/mth. Ends 04.10.26 $45/mth for first 6 months, then $85/mth Min. cost $45 Go to Site	$45/mth for first 6 months, then $85/mth Min. cost $45	Go to Site
#3	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom All Fixed Line nbn® Value Plus NBN 50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $64.90/month for first 6 months, then $89.90/month. $64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90 Go to Site	$64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90	Go to Site
#4	TPG	TPG All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Unlimited Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. T&Cs apply. $69.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $69.99	Link not supplied
#5	Belong	Belong All Fixed Line nbn® NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $36 off for 6 months - $55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth (Offer ends 04.11.26) + Free $80 Mobile SIM $55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#6	Superloop	Superloop All Fixed Line nbn® Extra-value nbn50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 6 months! $69/mth for 6 mths, then $89/mth + Bundle & Save $69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#7	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband All Fixed Line nbn® Value nbn - Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 47/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25 off for the first 6 months. Promo code SPRING25. $95/mth after promo ends 15.11.26 $70/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $70 Link not supplied	$70/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $70	Link not supplied
#8	iiNet	iiNet All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Liimitless All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. Use code SAVE20FOR6 $69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#9	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet All Fixed Line nbn® Silver Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $11/mth off for 12mths. $69.90/mth for first 12 months then revert back to $80.90/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $69.90/mth for first 12 mths, then $80.90/mth Min. cost $69.90 Go to Site	$69.90/mth for first 12 mths, then $80.90/mth Min. cost $69.90	Go to Site
#10	Flip	Flip All Fixed Line nbn® Unlimited Family nbn50 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $16.90/mth off for 6 months - $68/mth for first 6mths then $84.90/mth. New customers only. Ends 31.10.26. T&Cs apply. $68/mth for first 6 mths then $84.90/mth Min. cost $68 Go to Site	$68/mth for first 6 mths then $84.90/mth Min. cost $68	Go to Site

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Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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