Researching the NBN can be daunting; it’s full of complex terminology and lots of confusing acronyms. It can be kind of overwhelming. We're here to help, though. The first thing you need to know is this:
You can’t choose how your NBN is connected, it’s dependent on where you live and
the infrastructure in your area.
Even though there are seven NBN connection types, your house can only connect in one way and we’re betting that you’re reading this because you've got (or will have) a Fixed Wireless connection.
What is Fixed Wireless NBN?
Fixed Wireless NBN is the technology being used to connect many in rural and regional Australia to the broader National Broadband Network. Fixed Wireless NBN uses the same kind of 4G and 5G networks that connect your phone to the internet. NBN blasts the signal from the nearest transmission tower to your home, and you receive the signal with an antenna installed on your roof.
Before we start, here are a few popular Fixed Wireless NBN plans from our database, on the Fixed Wireless Plus speed tier:
How fast are Fixed Wireless NBN speeds?
Fixed Wireless NBN plans can achieve download speeds as fast as 400Mbps, but your actual speeds will depend on a number of factors, such as what speed tier you are connected to, your provider, and congestion.
Fixed Wireless NBN customers can pick from five speed tiers, but not everyone can get the two fastest options. All Fixed Wireless customers can get speeds of up to 100Mbps, but only 90% can get speeds of up to 250Mbps, and 80% can get speeds of up to 400Mbps.
Fixed Wireless Plus is now the most widely offered option for Fixed Wireless NBN customers, with some providers no longer offering NBN 12 or NBN 25 plans. Similarly, not all providers sell Fixed Wireless Fast and Fixed Wireless Superfast plans.
| Speed tier | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBN 12 (Basic I) | 12Mbps | 1Mbps | 1 user |
| NBN 25 (Basic II) | 25Mbps | 5Mbps | 1-2 users |
| Fixed Wireless Plus | 100Mbps | 20Mbps | 2-3 users |
| Fixed Wireless Fast | 250Mbps | 20Mbps | 3-4 users |
| Fixed Wireless Superfast | 400Mbps | 40Mbps | 4+ users |
The actual speeds you get at home will be dependent on:
- The NBN plan and provider you subscribe with.
- Congestion during peak hours. Providers report this as typical evening speeds, which are meant to give a more accurate representation of performance during the busiest part of the day. While these are available for some Fixed Wireless plans, you may not see them listed by every provider.
- Any obstacles (such as trees, and metal objects like Colorbond roofs and steel sheds) between your home and the NBN transmission tower.
While Fixed Wireless connections are more prone to congestion, they have been steadily improving, with the ACCC noting that average busy hour download speeds are now up to 96.2Mbps, based on a month-long testing period starting September 14 last year.
It's also important to note that your NBN speed is a shared resource. If you subscribe to a Fixed Wireless Plus plan, your 100Mbps is shared between every person and device in your household.
For example, if you're streaming a movie on Netflix, the internet will be slower for everyone else using your connection at the same time. Faster NBN speeds mean there's more capacity to share: you can stream all the video you want, and no one else will notice any slowdown.
Here's a look at Fixed Wireless plans in our database across each of the available speed tiers.
|
Tangerine Telecom
Fixed Wireless Superspeedy
$79.90/mth
Min. cost $79.90
|
|
Activ8me
Fixed Wireless Super Fast
$89.95/mth
Min. cost $89.95
|
|
Superloop
nbn Fixed Wireless Super Fast (400/40)
$93/mth
Min. cost $93
|
|
Skymesh
NBN Wireless Superfast
$94.95/mth
Min. cost $94.95
Link not supplied
|
|
MATE
Fair Dinkum Wireless
$100/mth
Min. cost $100
Link not supplied
|
|
More
Fixed Wireless Superfast NBN
$115/mth
Min. cost $115
Link not supplied
|
|
Telstra
Ultimate Internet Only Plan (Fixed Wireless)
$119/mth
Min. cost $119
Link not supplied
|
|
Aussie Broadband
nbn® Fixed Wireless Superfast Unlimited
$119/mth
Min. cost $119
Link not supplied
|
|
AGL
Fixed Wireless Superfast
$124/mth
Min. cost $124
Link not supplied
|
How is Fixed Wireless NBN installed?
Your home Fixed Wireless NBN installation will proceed as follows:
1. You will need to choose the NBN plan you want and place an order.
2. Your chosen provider will then make an appointment for an NBN installer to visit your premises.
3. The NBN installer will test to make sure your premises can receive a Fixed Wireless signal and that there is no interference from trees or metal objects such as Colorbond roofs and steel sheds. (If you can't receive a signal at your home, the installer may look for another location, such as a powered shed or garage, or your home may be considered for a Sky Muster Satellite connection instead.)
4. If you can receive a signal, the following equipment will be installed at your home by NBN Co, free of charge:
- Outdoor Antenna (typically installed on your roof)
- NBN Connection Box (typically installed inside your home)
- Wall outlet (typically installed inside your home)
Before the installation of this equipment, will need to do the following:
- If renting, get your landlord's permission
- Consider where you would like the connection box to go. NBN Co recommends choosing a place close to a power point, that is cool, dry, ventilated and easily accessible. It should be in the same building as the main electricity meter box and not be somewhere it could be easily bumped or damaged.
5. A small hole may need to be drilled in the external wall to allow the cable connecting the Antenna to be passed inside your home. This cable will be plugged into your NBN Connection Box inside your home, which requires a power outlet.
6. Once this is set up, your chosen provider should go ahead and commence your NBN plan.
7. You'll need to connect a wireless router to the Connection Box (using an Ethernet cable) to get all of your other devices online. Your NBN service provider should be able to supply you with a new wireless router, and may even offer it for free if you sign up for a long-term contract.
How much does a Fixed Wireless NBN plan cost?
The cost of Fixed Wireless will vary based on the speed you want and the provider you go with. The price of Fixed Wireless NBN plans is always changing, but you can expect to pay somewhere between $40 and $110 per month for your connection. Typically, the higher the speed you're after, the more you'll pay, but it can also depend on which provider you sign up to. Fixed Wireless Plus plans cost between $55 and $100, for example.
Be aware that not all providers offer Fixed Wireless NBN plans, so you'll have a slightly smaller range of options to pick from. Fixed Wireless plans are available from these providers:
- Activ8me
- Aussie Broadband
- Dodo
- iiNet
- iPrimus
- Leaptel
- MATE
- More
- Skymesh
- Southern Phone
- Superloop
- Swoop
- Tangerine
- Telstra
- TPG
For most, we'd recommend opting for Fixed Wireless Plus at a minimum, especially for families. Slower speed tiers are only good for one or two people. On average, you're looking at around $80 per month, but discounts can make them cheaper for your first six months.
As a starting point, here's a look at the cheapest Fixed Wireless Plus plans in our database:
|
#1
|
Dodo
Editor's Pick
Fixed Wireless Plus Plan
$57.99/mth
Min. cost $57.99
|
|
#2
|
Moose NBN
nbn 100/20 Premium FW
$59.80/mth
Min. cost $59.80
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
Tangerine Telecom
Fixed Wireless Value Plus
$63.90/mth
Min. cost $63.90
|
|
#4
|
Swoop
nbn® Wireless Plus
$69/mth
Min. cost $69
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
Skymesh
NBN Wireless Plus
$74.95/mth
Min. cost $74.95
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
MATE
No Worries Wireless
$75/mth
Min. cost $75
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
Aussie Broadband
nbn® Fixed Wireless Plus Unlimited
$75/mth
Min. cost $75
Link not supplied
|
|
#8
|
Superloop
nbn Fixed Wireless Plus (100/20)
$77/mth
Min. cost $77
|
|
#9
|
Origin Broadband
Fixed Wireless nbn® 100/20
$80/mth
Min. cost $80
Link not supplied
|
|
#10
|
Activ8me
Fixed Wireless Plus
$84.95/mth
Min. cost $84.95
|
How does Fixed Wireless technology work?
The National Broadband Network is made up of fibre optic cables that run out across the country from major hubs and
into your general area. These cables are capable of delivering incredibly fast and reliable internet.
In areas where Fixed Wireless is being deployed, NBN Co runs these cables to ground stations that then broadcast the internet as a 4G or 5G mobile signal. This signal is then picked up by an outdoor antenna on your house.
In order to work, Fixed Wireless requires a line of sight.
As you can see in the image above:
- The NBN runs a cable from a main hub to a transmission tower near you
- The transmission tower then beams the internet over the air to an antenna on your roof
The transmission tower supplying your internet should be no longer than 14km away. But in some cases, it may have to be as close as 6km.
Can I change NBN technology types?
No matter what NBN technology type you're on, it's possible to pay for an upgrade to Fibre to the Premise (FTTP) through the NBN Technology Choice Program. Upgrading to FTTP is far from cheap, however. Even going from Fibre to the Basement to Fibre to the Premises - where only a short amount of additional fibre is required - can cost upward of $10,000.
We haven't seen any quotes for upgrading from Fixed Wireless to full-fibre, but we'd imagine the costs would be far greater. Getting a quote from NBN Co is free, however, so you can always put in a request and find out what you'd need to pay.
Around 120,000 satellite NBN customers can upgrade to Fixed Wireless for free.
Fixed Wireless NBN alternatives
If you've got a Fixed Wireless NBN connection, there are potential alternatives. If you've got decent 4G in your area, you can always consider 4G home internet. While 4G speeds can also fluctuate greatly due to congestion, it could still be worth a shot if your Fixed Wireless NBN connection is underperforming. Here's a selection of popular 4G home internet plans:
|
#1
|
Vodafone
4G Home Internet Unlimited
$60/mth
Min. cost $60
Link not supplied
|
|
#2
|
Kogan Internet
4G Home Internet Plan
$149.70
Link not supplied
|
|
#3
|
SpinTel
4G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (25Mbit)
$49.95/mth
+ $20 Upfront
Min. cost $69.95
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday Basic 4G
$44/mth
Min. cost $44
Link not supplied
|
|
#5
|
TPG
Home Wireless Broadband
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Yomojo
4G Internet 25
$59.90/mth
Min. cost $59.90
Link not supplied
|
|
#7
|
iiNet
Home Wireless Broadband
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
Link not supplied
|
5G home wireless internet may be more attractive. While 5G isn't available to everyone yet, many Aussies can already get a 5G home internet connection right now, and more will be able to as the rollout continues.
So far, a handful of providers offer 5G home internet plans. Here's a selection of 5G home internet plans from our database:
If you choose a plan with speeds up to 25Mbps, you'll get the equivalent of an NBN 25 plan. Speeds may be slower during peak hours. These plans may not be the best value in the long term as they're quite expensive for the speeds you get. It is worth noting Vodafone's plan has a maximum speed of 20Mbps.
Here's pricing for 5G home internet plans with speeds up to 25Mbps:
If you decide to choose a plan capped at 50Mbps, this means it's the equivalent of NBN 50, however, you may experience slightly slower speeds during peak hours. This is a great option if you're either conscious of the price or you know you won't use over 50Mbps.
Here's pricing for 5G home internet plans capped at 50Mbps:
If you choose a plan capped at 100Mbps, this means it's the equivalent of an NBN 100 plan, however, you may experience slightly slower speeds during peak hours. This is a great option for households with multiple members who regularly connect to the internet at the same time.
Here's pricing for 5G home internet plans capped at 100Mbps:
|
TPG
Editor's Pick
5G Home Broadband Premium
$34.99/mth
Min. cost $34.99
Link not supplied
|
|
iiNet
5G Home Broadband Premium
$49.99/mth
Min. cost $49.99
Link not supplied
|
|
Vodafone
5G Home Internet Premium Plan
$60/mth
Min. cost $60
Link not supplied
|
|
Optus
Optus Plus Everyday Fast 5G
$64/mth
Min. cost $64
Link not supplied
|
|
Yomojo
5G Internet 100
$84.90/mth
Min. cost $84.90
Link not supplied
|
Three telcos currently offer uncapped plans. These can go as fast as network conditions allow but exact speeds will depend on your coverage and congestion. Generally, though we have found 200Mbps is a pretty safe average.
|
Optus
Editor's Pick
Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G
$84/mth
Min. cost $84
Link not supplied
|
|
SpinTel
5G Unlimited Wireless Broadband (240Mbit)
$89/mth
+ $25 Upfront
Min. cost $114
Link not supplied
|
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Telstra
Premium 5G Home Internet - 1TB
$95/mth
Min. cost $95
Link not supplied
|
|
Yomojo
5G Internet Max
$105.90/mth
Min. cost $105.90
Link not supplied
|
If you can get a 5G home internet connection, you should be able to expect speeds between 40Mbps and 300Mbps, depending on your coverage and congestion.
There are also other alternatives. Starlink, Elon Musk's space internet solution, is available to order in Australia. Starlink promises speeds as fast as 100Mbps on its standard plan, billed at $69 per month.
Here are Starlink's residential plans:
|
Starlink
Starlink Residential 100 Mbps
$75/mth
Min. cost $75
|
|
Starlink
Starlink Residential 200 Mbps
$110/mth
Min. cost $110
|
|
Starlink
Starlink Residential Max
$150/mth
Min. cost $150
|
Fixed Wireless NBN FAQs
What is the difference between Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster Satellite?
Fixed Wireless uses transmission towers and line-of-sight antennas to deliver internet in a maximum radius of 14km. Satellite relies on, well, satellites to deliver internet, and could potentially be connecting properties thousands of kilometres apart.
Fixed Wireless is also able to achieve faster speeds and lower latency than a Satellite connection.
Can I keep my phone with Fixed Wireless NBN?
Yes. Unlike most other NBN technology types, a Fixed Wireless NBN installation will not involve cutting off your copper phone line. That means you can still use it for landline calls, if you want to.
Alternatively, you could get a VoIP phone service which will deliver your landline service via the internet. Plenty of NBN plans will come with included calls to Australian phone numbers over VoIP. Out of the box, many plans have 'pay as you go' calling, which means you pay per phone call. If you use your phone a lot, you might want to look at a plan with unlimited calls. Many providers will let you add on 'unlimited local calls' for a small additional monthly fee.
What are NBN evening speeds?
While all NBN providers resell access to the same network, maximum speeds during peak hours can vary between providers. As such, some providers have started advertising the speeds you can expect during peak hours. These are known as 'typical evening speeds'. These tend not to be used for fixed wireless NBN plans, however, given how much performance can vary.
How much data do I need on my NBN plan?
Unlimited NBN plans are now the standard, and it is hard to find a plan that has still has a set data limit.
Do I need to sign a contract for Fixed Wireless NBN?
You don't need to sign a contract for Fixed Wireless NBN, as almost every plan is now contract-free.
Alex Choros
Find a better internet plan
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