Telstra vs. Optus 5G home internet plans: How do they compare

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 18 November 2021

Telstra and Optus are two of the biggest names in telco, and both are now offering 5G home internet plans as an NBN alternative. If you're stuck on Fibre to the Node or Fixed Wireless, 5G home internet could be especially alluring - if you can get 5G in your area. If you're lucky enough to have 5G coverage and are tossing up between Telstra and Optus, here's how their 5G home internet plans compare.

In this guide:

Speed

Price

Data

Contracts

Coverage

Extras

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

Min. cost $54

Link not supplied

$54/mth

Min. cost $54

Link not supplied

Essential 5G Home Internet - 1TB

5G Home Internet 50/20 Mbps
1000GB Data

$80/mth

Min. cost $80

Link not supplied

$80/mth

Min. cost $80

Link not supplied

Telstra vs. Optus 5G home internet: Speed

Telstra reports typical evening speeds of 378Mbps on its 5G home internet plan, but says download speeds can range between 50Mbps and 600Mbps.

If you pick Optus' capped 5G home internet plan, your speeds will max out at 100Mbps, with typical evening speeds of 83Mbps. On the uncapped plan, Optus advertises typical evening speeds of 210Mbps. In both cases, Optus says 50Mbps is the lowest download speed you should see.

If you're consistently getting speeds of less than 50Mbps, Optus has a Satisfaction Guarantee which lets you cancel your plan without paying a modem fee. You'll need to return the modem within 30 days of canceling your service.

Telstra vs. Optus 5G home internet: Price

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

Min. cost $54

Link not supplied

$54/mth

Min. cost $54

Link not supplied

Essential 5G Home Internet - 1TB

5G Home Internet 50/20 Mbps
1000GB Data

$80/mth

Min. cost $80

Link not supplied

$80/mth

Min. cost $80

Link not supplied

Telstra has just a single 5G home internet plan, billed at $85 per month. Optus has two options: a $79 per month plan with speeds capped to 100Mbps (making it similar to an NBN 100 plan), and a more expensive $99 per month plan with uncapped speeds. At time of writing, Optus is offering a $10 per month discount on your first six months.

Both Telstra and Optus will give you first month of 5G home internet for free.

Telstra vs. Optus 5G home internet: Data

Both of Optus' 5G home internet plans have unlimited data. On the other hand, Telstra's 5G home internet plan has a 1TB cap. If you manage to go over it, you'll be capped to speeds of 25Mbps.

Telstra vs. Optus 5G home internet: Contracts

Telstra's 5G home internet plan is genuinely contract-free. If you leave within your first 24 months, you'll just need to return your modem in good working order within 21 days of canceling your plan. Telstra will provide a prepaid eParcel consignment ID to facilitate the return. If you don't return the modem, Telstra will charge you a non-return fee. This is equivalent to $29 multiplied by the number of months left in your initial two years.

Optus 5G home internet plans are technically contract-free, but there's a catch. If you leave within your first 36 months, you'll need to pay a modem fee. This is equivalent to $16 multiplied by the number of months left in your three-year term.

Telstra vs. Optus 5G home internet: Coverage

Telstra's 5G network currently covers more than 75% of the population. Optus says its network is available at over 1.2 million addresses.

WhistleOut's coverage checker tool has 5G coverage maps, making it easy to see whether you can get 5G at your location. All you need to do is punch in your address when searching for a new phone plan. After you've done so and hit Search, you can jump straight to the coverage map by tapping See Coverage Map and then tapping Click To Activate Interactive Map.

This map will show you what kind of coverage you have in your area. 5G coverage is highlighted using the darkest shade of purple, but unticking 4G and 3G can help make it clearer. The drop down menu lets you choose between telcos.

Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.

Telstra vs. Optus 5G home internet: Extras

Both Telstra and Optus' 5G home internet plans come with their fair share of perks.

With Telstra, you'll get access to the Telstra Plus perks program. This includes:

$12.50 movie tickets for Event and BCC cinemas, excluding sessions after 5pm on a Saturday, public holidays, and special events
Discounted tickets to select sporting events
Pre-sale tickets for select concerts and events

If you're a Telstra Plus member, you'll also earn points for every dollar you spend on your monthly bill. These can then be redeemed for gadgets or a discount on a more expensive product.

You can also get three months of Binge at no cost if you haven't subscribed before.

Optus has scraped the majority of its perks program, but its most useful feature is still kicking around: cheap movie tickets. All Optus customers can get discounted movie tickets through Hoyts. You'll pay $12.50 per ticket, no matter what day or time. Surcharges apply for Xtremescreen, IMAX, and 3D sessions. If you're after a LUX ticket, you'll pay $27.

Just be aware that you can only buy ten standard tickets per day or four LUX tickets. There's also a set allocation of Optus tickets available per session, so there's a chance you might miss out if the flick you're looking to see is popular with other Optus customers.

Optus 5G home internet plans also include an Optus Sport subscription at no extra cost. If you pick up the more expensive Optus 5G home internet plan with uncapped speeds, the telco will throw in a Fetch Mighty set-top box with one premium channel pack.

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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