Mobile Broadband

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Types of mobile broadband

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Before you dive into comparisons of mobile broadband plans it’s important to figure out how you’re going to use it. Understanding this helps you figure out what device you need, which focuses your search and helps find the best plan possible.

There’s three main branches. Either you need a SIM card to put into an iPad (or another model of 4G tablet), or you need a portable modem, or you’re looking for an NBN replacement at home and need a Home Wireless service. With each of these options comes different equipment options, contract terms and different pricing.

1. SIM Only Mobile Broadband

This is the plan you need when you don’t need a modem at all. A number of tablets and laptops have 4G modems built-in, so you can grab a SIM card from the carriers, slide it in, and jump online.

2. Portable Modems

You’ll need to choose a portable modem option if you want to connect your iPad or laptop, but don’t have the 4G ready model. USB modems are a good, cheap option for connecting a single laptop to the web, but most people will choose a portable WiFi Hotspot modem, which creates a private WiFi network and can connect multiple devices at the same time.

3. Home Wireless Broadband

Unlike the previous options, Home Wireless broadband is not designed to be portable. Instead you get a robust modem/router with built-in WiFi, just like you would with an NBN plan. Home Wireless plans tend to come with the biggest data inclusions, which you’ll need if your family relies on this connection for internet at home.

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Contract vs no contract mobile broadband plans 

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People think of 'contract' as a dirty word in telco, but there's often a very good reason to consider sign up for a short term. Compared to no contract plans, contract plans often include higher data allowances or a lower price for the same data inclusions. For example, in the table below you can see the difference in price and data is significantly different plus the contract plans offer some other perks like access to Optus Sport.

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Also, take a look at our Editor's Picks for Mobile Broadband Plans to see our favourite plans for the month.

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Mobile broadband data SIM plans

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Contract plans will often offer additional value but the trade off is that you are locked in, normally for 12 months. Compared to no contract plans often the data allowances are higher or the price is lower for the same data inclusions. 

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Prepaid mobile broadband

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If you want to control your spending and usage prepaid is a good choice. The table below shows a selection of prepaid SIM plans from suppliers. You can click on the view full results at the bottom of the table to see all results.

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Home wireless broadband

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If you want or can't get the NBN Wireless broadband is a great alternative. The table below shows a selection of home wireless broadband plans plans from suppliers. You can click on the view full results at the bottom of the table to see all results. If you want a quick answer read our editor's pick best home wireless broadband plans.

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Telstra mobile broadband

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Telstra mobile broadband plans may not the cheapest plans, but each comes with a lot of extra value. You get access to Telstra's super-fast 4GX network, with speeds up to 1Gbps, and access to over million Telstra Air WiFi hotspots around the country. Plus you can connect to over 19 million Fon WiFi hotspots found in major cities around the world. 

You also get free, unmetered access to AFL, AFLW, NRL, Netball and Football live apps, and data-free streaming of Apple Music

Telstra mobile broadband plans are all BYO device. If you want a tablet, a pocket WiFi modem or an internet dongle, you can add one to any plan on a 24 or 36 month repayment plan. Plans are contract-free on the basis that if you want to leave, you can do so at any time. You just need to pay out the remaining value of your device.

Because Telstra plans are contract free, you can easily change plans and to get more or less data per month, depending on what you need. You are allowed to change your plan size once per month. For this reason, it's a good idea to start on the cheapest plan and step up if you need to.

Telstra mobile broadband plans also come with no excess data charges. If you go over your monthly allowance, you'll get unlimited data slowed to speeds of 1.5Mbps, which is still fast enough to stream video in SD. Note, however, that speeds may be slower during peak hours. Still, this is much better than being automatically charged for more data every time you hit your data limit.

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Optus mobile broadband

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The big difference when it comes to Optus mobile broadband plans is data. You can get lots of it. Plans with a pocket WiFi hub included come with a choice of 200GB or 500GB of 4G data included. That's almost enough to replace your home internet connection. And in fact, they're designed to do just that. 

Rather than mobile broadband, Optus is now branding these plans as home wireless and you can even pair one with an advanced Huawei B525 model modem capable of connecting 64 devices at the same time over WiFi. It has also has four Ethernet ports for devices you want to connect using a physical cable. But it runs on mains power, you can't take it with you on-the-go. So it's not so mobile.

If you prefer to get a data-only SIM for your own mobile broadband modem or tablet, the data inclusions aren't quite as generous, but still very decent, maxing out at 100GB. How much you'll pay for your data will depend on whether or not you're game to sign a contract. The best prices come with a 12-month contract, but you can go contract-free for about $10 extra per month.

If you're looking at a plan with a modem included, on the other hand, you'll get the same amount of data whether you choose the 24-month contract or the no-contract option. But if you go no-contract, you'll have to pay $240 upfront for the pocket WiFi hub. 

In terms of extras, Optus mobile broadband plans don't come with the same perks you can get from Telstra, they do come with a free subscription to Optus Sport and the National Geographic app, which is a great add-on if you want to follow English Premier League football, or love a good doco.

Optus also offers mobile broadband plans with tablets included but they're only available on a 24-month contract.

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Vodafone mobile broadband

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Like the other major providers, Vodafone mobile broadband comes with a range of plan options including SIM-only plans, plans with tablets and plans with pocket WiFi hubs. If you're looking at a SIM-only plan, you can choose either a 12-month contract or a no-contract plan. But you'll get more data if you go with the contract.

If you prefer to get a plan with a modem, however, your plan becomes contract-free on the basis that, if you want to leave, you can do so at any time without penalty. You'll just need to pay out the modem.

Vodafone plans come with one pocket WiFi modem to choose from. It's valued at $72 outright and you can choose to pay it off over 12, 24 or 36 months interest-free. One of the nice things about getting a mobile broadband modem with Vodafone is that it isn't network-locked, which means if you want to use it with another provider's SIM, you can. 

Vodafone mobile broadband plans don't come with many perks to speak of, but postpaid plans do come with the telco's signature $5 roaming deal. This means you can use your plan’s inclusions within any of Vodafone’s 80 selected countries for an extra $5 per day. Vodafone also allows you to bundle plans, which means if you have a mobile phone or NBN plan with the telco, you can bundle it with your pocket WiFi and get 5% off across each plan, to a maximum of four plans. 

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Dodo mobile broadband

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Dodo mobile broadband plans are SIM-only which means you'll need to bring your own tablet, dongle or pocket WiFi modem.

If you don't have a modem or can't find one, you can always use an old smartphone. Just put the Dodo SIM in and enable the phone as a WiFi hotspot. It's a great way to put an old phone to new use.

Dodo mobile broadband plans come with generous data allowances, and they're nice and simple with only a couple of choices to make. You can choose between either a 12-month contract or a month-to-month plan. The plans cost the same either way, but if you sign on the dotted line for 12 months, you'll be rewarded with a lot more data. 

Dodo customers use the Optus 4G network, which many find has reliable coverage in all but the most regional and remote parts of Australia. Like any mobile broadband service, you'd be wise to cover out an Optus coverage map before taking your Dodo SIM card on a camping holiday.

Unlike the major providers, Dodo doesn't offer any prepaid options for mobile broadband.

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Most popular mobile broadband providers

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