One of the exciting things about 5G is that it can change the way we get online. Instead of relying on a fixed-line connection like the NBN, 5G offers a wireless internet solution with even faster speeds. Of course, to use 5G internet, you need a 5G modem. In this guide, we'll take a look at your current options.
| Modem | Modem type | Available from |
|---|---|---|
| Arcadyan HWG2025 | Home | Vodafone, TPG, iiNet |
| Optus Ultra WiFi 5G Modem | Home | Optus, SpinTel, Yomojo |
| Telstra Smart Modem 4 | Home | Telstra |
| Netgear Nighthawk M7 Ultra | Portable | Telstra |
| Netgear Nighthawk M7 | Portable | Telstra |
| Telstra 5G Hotspot 2 | Portable | Telstra |
| Telstra 5G Wi-Fi Hotspot | Portable | Telstra |
| Sonim H700 5G Hotspot | Portable | Telstra |
| Optus U30 Pro 5G | Portable | Optus |
| TP-Link Deco BE65-5G | 5G backup | Amazon |
What is a 5G modem?
Put simply, a 5G modem connects to a 5G mobile network and then shares it with other devices. For example, your 5G modem may connect to the internet via the Telstra 5G network. All your other devices - your laptop, your TV, and your game consoles - then connect to your modem.
5G modems currently come in two forms: portable hotspots (also known as pocket WiFi) and more traditional modems that need to be plugged into the wall.
Every 5G modem you can currently get in Australia also doubles as a router. A modem is used to facilitate a connection to the internet, whereas a router is responsible for distributing that connection to different devices in your home. For the sake of simplicity, we're simply going to call the devices in this guide 5G modems.
Presented by: Anula Wiwatowska - WhistleOut telco expert:
Which of these telcos has the best 5G modem?
Vodafone’s Arcadyan vs. Optus’ Ultra WiFi vs. Telstra’s Smart Modem 4.
All these have WiFi 7, are dual band, totally unlocked, and can work with any NBN tech type as well as 5G. But now on to the juicier stuff.
Vodafone and Optus’ modems have 2 ethernet ports and Telstra has 4. But Vodafone and Telstra’s are capped to 1Gbps, which makes them useless for direct connections on plans above 1000Mbps.
Optus’ hit 2.5Gbps, making it the only NBN 2000 safe option out of the bunch.
Without wires, Telstra can support up to 3.6Gbps and Optus’ can crack 46Gbps. Vodafone doesn’t have any official specs around this, but our testing showed it sitting close to 3Gbps. So a tick for Optus.
The kicker on all of these is the overreliance on the 2.4Ghz band for non-WiFi 7 devices. Each of these devices have some kind of limit on the lower band, whether it be distance or capacity, making it easy to overload, and slow down your speeds.
If you’ve got a lot of non-WiFi 7 devices you’ll be better off going for Optus and its huge throughput, but if you’ve been updating your big ticket items lately or just don’t have that many WiFi connected devices, Telstras will be that little bit more versatile.
Arcadyan HWG2025
If you sign up for a 5G home internet plan from Vodafone, TPG, or iiNet, you'll now get the Arcadyan HWG2025 as your bundled modem.
The name is slightly different depending on what provider you get it from - Vodafone calls it the "Super Wi-Fi Modem", while TPG and iiNet call it "Wi-Fi Max" - but the hardware is identical.
It has WiFi 7 support, but only has two Ethernet ports for connecting local devices. If you have more wired devices, you may want to invest in a switch.
If you get the HWG2025 from Vodafone, the telco will throw in a mesh extender at no extra cost. TPG and iiNet currently don't have the mesh extender offer.
If you leave any of the telcos offering the HWG2025 in your first three years, you'll need to return the modem or pay a prorated hardware fee. If you also have the mesh, there's a $4 payment for each month left in your three-year term.
Here is every 5G home internet plan from telcos offering the HWG2025:
|
#1
|
TPG
$29.99/mth
Min. cost $29.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
iiNet
$39.99/mth
Min. cost $39.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Vodafone
$55/mth
Min. cost $55
Link not supplied
|
Optus Ultra WiFi 5G Modem
Optus 5G home internet plans now come with the telco's Ultra WiFi 5G Modem. This modem is faster, and support up to 128 devices at once.
Optus customers can pair the Ultra WiFi 5G Modem with a Ultra WiFI Booster Gen 2 to extend WiFi coverage at home. These cost $216 outright, or can be paid off on a 12, 24, or 36-month repayment plan.
The Optus WiFi 5G modem supports WiFi 7. Services sold from February 24 get WiFi 7 out of the box, but customers who had the modem earlier may need to wait for a firmware update.
WiFi 7 supports network speeds four times faster than WiFi 6, maxing out at 46Gbps.
5G internet providers powered by the Optus network, such as SpinTel and Yomojo, also give their customers the Optus Ultra WiFi 5G Modem. Here are 5G home internet plans from all providers offering the modem:
|
#1
|
Optus
$45/mth
Min. cost $45
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
SpinTel
$55/mth
+ $25 Upfront
Min. cost $80
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Optus
$59/mth
Min. cost $59
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Optus
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Yomojo
$75.90/mth
Min. cost $75.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Yomojo
$84.90/mth
Min. cost $84.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
SpinTel
$89/mth
+ $25 Upfront
Min. cost $114
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
Optus
$89/mth
Min. cost $89
Link not supplied
|
|
#9
|
Yomojo
$105.90/mth
Min. cost $105.90
Link not supplied
|
Over 3.6 million homes and businesses can get Optus 5G home internet.
Telstra Smart Modem 4
Telstra 5G home internet plans now come with the same Telstra Smart Modem 4 used by Telstra NBN customers.
The Smart Modem 4's main new feature is WiFi 7 support, and it should be able to achieve speeds as fast as 3.6Gbps. 5G internet speeds typically max out under 1Gbps, however.
Other features include four Ethernet LAN ports, a WAN port, and a full-size USB port.
In addition, the Telstra Smart Modem 4 it can be used with Telstra's Smart WiFi Booster 3 as part of a mesh network. Telstra charges $168 for a WiFi Booster (or $7 per month over 24 months).
You can get the Telstra Smart Modem 4 with a Telstra 5G home internet plan. If you leave within your first two years, you'll need to return the device or pay a non-return fee.
|
Telstra
$80/mth
Min. cost $80
Link not supplied
|
5G home wireless internet can offer better speeds than what you'd get from an NBN plan at the same price point. For example, Telstra's 5G home internet plan offers typical evening speeds around 300Mbps, but is cheaper than Telstra's NBN 100 plan. Most 5G home internet plans come with their first month free, so it's very easy to test it out and see if it's right for you.
Netgear Nighthawk M7 Ultra
The Nighthawk M7 Ultra is Netgear's high-end portable modem. It supports WiFi 7, can connect up to 64 devices at once, and also has mmWave connectivity.
In poor coverage areas, you can connect an external antenna to the Nighthawk M7 Ultra to improve speeds. The Nighthawk M7 Ultra also has a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port.
Inside, there's a 5,185mAh battery, which is said to last up to 10 hours.
The Nighthawk M7 Ultra can also be paired with any Telstra SIM-only mobile broadband plan, or bought outright. You'll pay $899 if you want it outright.
All of Telstra's SIM-only mobile broadband plans include 5G access. These are as follows:
|
#1
|
Telstra
$33/mth
Min. cost $33
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
Link not supplied
|
Netgear Nighthawk M7
The Nighthawk M7 is the cheaper version of the Nighthawk M7 Ultra, ditching mmWave connectivity in exchange for a cheaper price. It's also missing an Ethernet port, so you can't connect it to a router to easily share its connectivity.
It does have WiFI 7, however, and can work with up to 32 devices at once. Inside, there's a 3,850mAh battery, which is said to last up to 10 hours.
The Nighthawk M7 can be paired with any Telstra SIM-only mobile broadband plan, or bought outright. You'll pay $599 if you want it outright.
All of Telstra's SIM-only mobile broadband plans include 5G access. These are as follows:
|
#1
|
Telstra
$33/mth
Min. cost $33
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
Link not supplied
|
Telstra 5G Hotspot 2
The Telstra 5G Hotspot 2 is Telstra's latest "flagship" hotspot. On top of a massive 10,000mAh battery that offers up to 29 hours of use, it also features WiFi 7.
The large battery capacity means you can use the Telstra 5G Hotspot 2 to to recharge other devices in a pinch, such as your phone or wireless earbuds.
One new feature is quick pairing via NFC. If you tap an Android device to the hotspot, it will connect to the WiFi automatically without the need for a password.
The Telstra 5G Hotspot 2 will set you back $349 outright or can be paid off over a 12-, 24-, or 36-month repayment term. It can be paired with a Telstra SIM-only mobile broadband plan.
All of Telstra's SIM-only mobile broadband plans include 5G access. These are as follows:
|
#1
|
Telstra
$33/mth
Min. cost $33
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
Link not supplied
|
Telstra 5G Wi-Fi Hotspot
The Telstra 5G Wi-Fi Hotspot is Telstra's entry-level portable modem option. It's only $169 outright, making it one of the cheapest 5G modems you can get.
The cheaper price does mean some trade-offs, however. The Telstra 5G Wi-Fi Hotspot only has WiFi 5 connectivity, which is a fair bit slower than WiFi 6 or WiFi 7. This shouldn't make a noticeable difference if you're only sharing the connection to one device, however.
In terms of battery, there's a 4,500mAh cell inside that Telstra says is good for up to 10 hours of usage.
Like the Telstra 5G Hotspot 2, the Telstra 5G Wi-Fi Hotspot has NFC quick pairing for Android devices.
Sonim H700 5G Mobile Hotspot
The Sonim H700 5G Mobile Hotspot is unique thanks to its rugged design. It has an IP68 rating for water resistance, meaning it can survive a dunk. That's a pretty unusual feature for a mobile hotspot. It also has a MIL-STD-180H rating for durability, which means it should withstand most drops.
In terms of connectivity, the Sonim H700 5G is WiFi 6E certified and WiFi 7 ready. It supports both standard 5G as well as mmWave.
It will set you back $519 outright or can be paid off over a 12-, 24-, or 36-month repayment term. It can be paired with a Telstra SIM-only mobile broadband plan. These are as follows:
|
#1
|
Telstra
$33/mth
Min. cost $33
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Telstra
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
Link not supplied
|
Optus U30 Pro 5G
The Optus U30 Pro is the telco's latest 5G-compatible WiFi hotspot. It supports WiFi 6 speeds and can support up to 10 devices at once.
Android devices can instantly pair to the Optus U30 Pro 5G via NFC, and the 5,000mAh battery is said to offer up to 10 hours of working time and 500 hours of standby time.
The Optus U30 Pro 5G has a small 1.38-inch touchscreen for highlighting key metrics.
You can get the Optus U30 Pro 5G paired with an Optus mobile broadband plan, or outright for $158.40.
TP-Link Deco BE65-5G
The TP-Link Deco BE65-5G is a mesh router that's designed for use with an NBN plan or other fixed-line internet connection, but it also features 5G backup.
If you put in your own 5G-enabled SIM (and live in a 5G coverage area), the Deco BE65-5G will swap over to 5G connectivity in the event your primary internet goes down.
You could technically also just use a 5G mobile broadband SIM as your primary internet connection with the Deco BE65-5G, but that would end up being worse value than the 5G home internet options we cover in this guide.
The Deco BE65-5G sells for a recommended retail price of $999 on Amazon.
You'll need to have a mobile broadband plan to use 5G backup. Here's a selection of SIM-only mobile broadband plans with at least 100GB per month:
|
#1
|
Tangerine Telecom
Editor's Pick
$34.90/mth
Min. cost $34.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Belong
$40/mth
Min. cost $40
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
More
$40/mth
Min. cost $40
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
SpinTel
$49.95/mth
+ $20 Upfront
Min. cost $69.95
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Aussie Broadband
$60/mth
Min. cost $60
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Telstra
$68/mth
Min. cost $68
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Yomojo
$79.90/mth
Min. cost $79.90
Link not supplied
|
Can 5G replace the NBN?
5G home internet is a viable alternative for those with underperforming NBN connections or those who want a faster speed for a lower price. Most 5G home internet plans have unlimited data - just like the NBN - and offer speeds of at least 50Mbps.
Looking more broadly, 5G home internet won't necessarily replace the need for the NBN. Fixed line networks such as the NBN have a much larger capacity than wireless networks like 5G, and as such, are more resistant to issues such as congestion. For example, Telstra says there's a limit to how many 5G home internet services it will offer per postcode, to ensure good performance for every customer.
5G mobile broadband plans with fixed data allowances - like those sold by Telstra and Optus - will be too limited for many households for an NBN alternative. Telstra's plans cap out at 100GB, while Optus' sole plan is capped at 20GB. While the plans are free from excess data charges, your speed will slow down to 1.5Mbps when you hit your data allowance. For context, the average Australian household uses over 500GB per month now.
If NBN sounds like it might be the best option for you after all, here are a few popular NBN plans from our database:
Tethering with a 5G smartphone
As an alternative to a 5G modem, you can use any 5G smartphone as a portable hotspot (as long as you're on a plan with 5G and have 5G coverage). Just be aware that tethering can be a rather demanding activity in terms of battery drain - especially on 5G networks. If you're looking to tether for an extended period of time, you may want to keep your phone connected to a charger.
Also, be mindful that when you tether to your smartphone, you'll eat into your plan's monthly data allowance. If you're planning on tethering regularly, make sure your plan has enough data to support this kind of usage.
Here are a few of the most popular SIM-only mobile plans in our database with 5G connectivity.
Just note that many 5G mobile plans now have speed caps, which limit the maximum rate you can download at. The cheapest 5G SIM-only plans tend to be capped at 100Mbps, which is roughly the equivalent of an NBN 100 plan. If you want uncapped speeds, plans get more expensive and you'll typically need to look for a plan from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone.
Where can I get 5G?
WhistleOut's coverage checker tool has been upgraded with 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. If you need help figuring this out, the GIF below should help:
Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.
5G modem FAQ
Are there modems with 5G backup?
We're starting to see modems with 5G backup, but there aren't many. TP-Link's Deco BE65-5G is your main option right now. 4G backup modems are more common, however.
Which providers offer 5G modems?
You can get 5G modems from the following internet providers:
- Telstra
- Optus
- Vodafone
- iiNet
- TPG
- SpinTel
- Yomojo
Alex Choros
Thousands of internet plans unpacked. All the facts. No surprises.
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