Vodafone launches 5G home internet as an NBN alternative

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 02 September 2021

Vodafone today announced the commercial launch of its 5G-powered home internet service, which is now available to order online for anyone in a Vodafone 5G coverage area.

Vodafone has two 5G home internet options available: a $75 per month plan with speeds of up to 100Mbps, or an $85 per month plan with uncapped speeds. In our testing, we've seen the Vodafone 5G network reach speeds close to 500Mbps in certain parts of Sydney. Both plans have unlimited data. Vodafone postpaid mobile customers can save $5 per month on either plan.

Even without the discount, Vodafone is undercutting its NBN offering in a significant way. Vodafone's NBN plans start at $75 per month for NBN 25, and are as expensive as $95 for NBN 100.

To celebrate the launch, Vodafone is offering customers who sign-up before the end of January next year their first month free. Vodafone also has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy during your first month, you cancel your plan without paying any modem fees.

The plans themselves are contract-free, but you'll need to pay out the remaining value of your modem if you leave within your first 36 months. This is equivalent to $17 for each month left in your three-year term. For comparison, Vodafone's modem fees are much lower on NBN plans. While you're still committed to three years, you're only stuck with $5 per month if you leave early.

Vodafone has taken a similar approach to Optus when it comes to 5G home internet plans. Optus also has a $75 per month plan where you're capped to speeds of 100Mbps, and a $90 per month plan with uncapped speeds and a Fetch set-top box. You can either commit to a 24-month contract or pay a $200 upfront modem fee.

Telstra is trialing 5G home internet, but it is currently in an invite-only phase. Customers are currently paying $85 per month for 1000GB.

Of course, Vodafone currently has the smallest 5G footprint out of the three mobile operators. Telstra's 5G network covers over 75% of the population, Optus covers over 400,000 households, while Vodafone is working toward the goal of delivering 5G to 85% of the population in Australia's six most populous cities - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Canberra - by the end of 2021.

At the very least, that means many living in metro areas should be able to get Vodafone 5G home internet by the end of the year.

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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