ACCC backs a tax on 5G internet

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 31 July 2024

The ACCC has expressed support for expanding the Regional Broadband Scheme (RBS) to cover 4G and 5G home wireless internet services.

The RBS is effectively a tax on internet services that is used to fund the Fixed Wireless and Satellite portions of the NBN network. These technology types are considered "non-commercial" and run at a loss.

NBN and NBN-like services (such as Opticomm) pay $8.26 per month for each premise on their network supplied with a service.

Providers offering 4G and 5G home internet services have thus far been exempt from paying the RBS, with the ACCC previously arguing they weren't NBN-like enough.

The RBS is now under review, however, and in its submission, the ACCC has shifted gears as providers now effectively pitch 4G and 5G plans as NBN alternatives.

"Under the current RBS funding arrangements, as more consumers substitute 4G and 5G fixed wireless services for fixed line broadband services, the RBS funding base will continue to be eroded over time," said the ACCC in its submission.

"In the ACCC’s view, all market participants offering high-speed broadband services in profitable metropolitan areas as the principal connectivity solution to consumers to meet their individual needs, should contribute to the costs in the non-commercial footprint."

The ACCC also says there are risks to applying the RBS to 4G and 5G wireless plans, as they represent a point of competition for NBN Co.

There's no timeline for when changes to the RBS may come into effect.

At present, 5G home internet plans tend to be more affordable than an NBN plan of the equivalent speed. When you exclude promotions, 50Mbps 5G home internet plans start at $60 per month while NBN 50 plans start at $75 per month. This trend also continues at faster speeds.

Here's a look at how the cheapest 5G internet plans in our database compare to the cheapest NBN 50 plans:

50Mbps 5G
NBN 50

#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 Available until withdrawn.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
#6	Yomojo	Yomojo 5G Internet 50 5G Home Internet 42/11 Mbps Unlimited Data $69.90/mth Min. cost $69.90 Link not supplied	$69.90/mth Min. cost $69.90	Link not supplied

#1	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
#2	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
#3	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
#4	Moose NBN	Moose NBN All Fixed Line nbn® nbn 50/20 Premium All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $24/mth off for first 6 months - $59.80/mth for 6mths, then $83.80/mth + Get eero 7 modem for only $175 (RRP $249). $59.80/mth for first 6 mths, then $83.80/mth Min. cost $59.80 Link not supplied	$59.80/mth for first 6 mths, then $83.80/mth Min. cost $59.80	Link not supplied
#5	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
#6	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
#7	Swoop	Swoop All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® Home Everyday All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $15/mth off for 6 months, $69/mth for first 6 months then $84/mth + Get the eero 7 for only $175 (normally $249) $69/mth for first 6 mths, then $84/mth Min. cost $69 Link not supplied	$69/mth for first 6 mths, then $84/mth Min. cost $69	Link not supplied
#8	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
#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	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

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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