Telstra Smart Modem 4 review: Budget banger

Nathan Lawrence - Freelance Contributor

Last updated 29 October 2025

Telstra Smart Modem 4

Our verdict

The Telstra Smart Modem 4 is free to new Telstra customers and competitively priced for anyone after an entry-level WiFi 7 modem-router. Telstra customers get the best features, but it can also travel with you if you change providers. It's a shame about the speeds, though: NBN 1000 plans at best, plus a small 5GHz wireless footprint.

$288 RRP

What we love

Free or competitively priced
Automated features, like mobile backup
You can take it to another provider

What could be improved

Incompatible with NBN 2000 plans
Small 5GHz network
Quick to jump to the 2.4GHz WiFi band

The essentials

Setup

Plug and play if you're a Telstra customer or with a zero-credentials internet provider. For credentials-required providers, there are some extra steps.

Ports

What'd you'd expect from a provider-branded modem-router: Ethernet, telephone, and USB. It's a shame the Ethernet ports are capped at 1Gbps speeds (including the internet port).

Performance

Reliable uptime and dependable for everyday tasks, but an overreliance on the 2.4GHz band may be problematic for anyone with any plan beyond NBN 100.

Versatility

Telstra customers get the most with QoS, automated fixes, and mobile backup, but anyone can expand their Telstra Smart Modem 4 network with mesh expansion.

NBN PRICE CHECK

Are you overpaying for your NBN?

Check your plan against the market average in seconds.*

*nbn fixed line residential connections only.

The Telstra Smart Modem 3 launched in early 2022, but it already has a successor. If you're a new Telstra customer, you'll get a Telstra Smart Modem 4 free of charge. But despite the Telstra branding, even those who aren't with Big T (like me) can happily use this fourth-gen Telstra NBN modem-router without too many disclaimers. And with a low RRP, you may want to consider buying the Telstra Smart Modem 4 even if you're not a Telstra customer.

Before I get into the full breakdown of my experience with the Telstra Smart Modem 4, have a look at Telstra NBN plans that include it:

#1	Telstra	Telstra All Fixed Line nbn® Upfront Internet Plan Basic All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 25/4 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $97/mth Min. cost $48.50 Link not supplied	$97/mth Min. cost $48.50	Link not supplied
#2	Telstra	Telstra FTTP, HFC Upfront Internet Plan Premium FTTP, HFC nbn® 500/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $113/mth Min. cost $56.50 Link not supplied	$113/mth Min. cost $56.50	Link not supplied
#3	Telstra	Telstra FTTN, FTTB, FTTC Upfront Internet Plan Premium FTTN, FTTB, FTTC nbn® 100/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $113/mth Min. cost $56.50 Link not supplied	$113/mth Min. cost $56.50	Link not supplied
#4	Telstra	Telstra FTTP, HFC Upfront Internet Plan Ultimate FTTP, HFC nbn® 750/40 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $129/mth Min. cost $64.50 Link not supplied	$129/mth Min. cost $64.50	Link not supplied
#5	Telstra	Telstra FTTP, HFC Upfront Internet Plan Ultrafast FTTP, HFC nbn® 815/80 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Get 50% off any home nbn plan for 2 months. Add code PROMO at checkout. Ends 05.10.26. T&Cs apply. $139/mth Min. cost $69.50 Link not supplied	$139/mth Min. cost $69.50	Link not supplied

Network testing conditions

Home networking equipment is tested in a first-floor apartment with thick WiFi-interfering walls using an FTTC NBN 100/20 connection. The networking device is deliberately placed at one end of the apartment (instead of a central location) to test wireless range and penetration. Basic speed tests are performed at multiple locations inside and outside the apartment, first with a Synology RT6600ax router and then with the networking device being reviewed for comparative results. Everyday, internet tests are also performed with relevant results mentioned for streaming, web browsing, online gaming, video and voice calls, as well as downloading large files and transferring them across devices on the local network.

What we like about the Telstra Smart Modem 4

The price is the first big tick for this latest Big T modem-router. If you sign up for a Telstra Upfront NBN plan, you'll get it for $0 (Telstra's "internet-only" plans do not include the Smart Modem 4). Technically, you need to stick with Telstra for 24 months to keep that $0 pricing. But even if you leave earlier, you can return the Telstra Smart Modem 4 to avoid a hardware fee. If you're a pre-existing Telstra customer or with another NBN provider, you can pay a very reasonable $288 to buy the Telstra Smart Modem 4 outright (with free delivery).

That's comfortably the cheapest WiFi 7 networking device I've tested, $69 cheaper than the Asus RT-BE58U router and almost $100 less than the iiNet Wi-Fi Max modem-router. Unlike the Telstra Smart Modem 3, the fourth-gen Telstra WiFi modem-router comes with everything you need to get online, regardless of your NBN connection type. The port selection on the back of the Telstra modem is solid, too, including four Ethernet ports, a home phone line, and a USB port. There are also external ports for mobile antennas if you want to pay extra to boost your mobile backup signal.

While the Telstra Smart Modem 3 is relegated to 4G backup, the Telstra Smart Modem 4 can use either 4G or 5G (depending on what's available in your area), with speeds up to 25/5Mbps. I tested the Telstra Smart Modem 4 as an Exetel customer and was impressed to find it had mobile backup.

In fairness, that may not be a forever feature for non-Telstra customers (or perhaps a quirk of my review unit), but I did record 32ms latency, 16.7Mbps download speeds, and 4.12Mbps upload speeds with a medium mobile signal. I also appreciated how quickly the mobile backup kicked in during a brief unplanned NBN outage, and how it intuitively shifted from mobile backup to NBN internet once the issue was restored.

If you're a Telstra NBN customer, you'll have access to exclusive features like Internet Optimiser (a Quality of Service-like feature) and SmartFix AI Self Repair, which pledges to invisibly fix connection issues. You'll also get automated firmware updates, and I was impressed to get one of those after initial setup as a non-Telstra customer. Speaking of setup, I was online in under five minutes after power cycling my NBN connection box, which is very fast.

What's the deal with Quality of Service

I have a soft spot for Quality of Service (QoS). That's because, at its best, QoS automatically recognises priority internet tasks and allocates finite download/upload speed to latency- and bandwidth-sensitive tasks. If you like to play games online or stream videos in undisturbed full resolution, QoS kicks in when someone starts trying to download a file at full speed. Their total download speed will be capped relative to the bandwidth required for full-resolution streaming and undisturbed online gaming.

While that speedy setup is in part because I'm with a zero-credentials (IPoE/DHCP) internet provider, those with credentials-required connections can fix that with a few clicks and character strokes in the logically laid-out web portal. There aren't really any essential changes you need to make in the web portal but, if you do need to tweak, the key settings (and more) are easy to find.

During my speed tests, I was particularly impressed with the 2.4GHz WiFi band performance inside my apartment. Even in parts of my home that typically cripple internet speeds, the Telstra Smart Modem 4's long-range 2.4GHz band offered great download and upload speeds for my NBN 100 plan, with consistently low latency. Couple that with zero-issues persistent uptime and the straightforward tackling of popular internet tasks, and the Telstra Smart Modem 4 isn't the kind of modem-router I'm eager to disconnect after I've finished reviewing.

Networking gear compatibility

Routers, modem-routers and mesh WiFi systems are compatible with most NBN connections, including FTTP, HFC, FTTC, Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster satellite. All of these NBN technologies use respective network termination devices (NTDs), which is a fancy term for “connection box” or “modem”. If you live in an FTTB or FTTN home, you’ll need a modem-router to get online. You can still connect a router or mesh WiFi system to a modem-router, but the modem-router first needs to be in bridge mode so it can then connect to a router or mesh WiFi system.

What we dislike about the Telstra Smart Modem 4

While the Telstra Smart Modem 4 isn't overly bulky, its vertical-only design is wider than I'm used to, which made it a snugger fit in my testing space. But I'd happily take that extra breadth if its specs were more futureproofed. All Ethernet ports are capped at 1Gbps speeds, including the internet (WAN) port, meaning you can't get full speeds out of an NBN 2000 plan (or whatever comes next).

Gigabit ports were fine for WiFi 5 and even WiFi 6 networking gear, but 2.5GHz is effectively the minimum for an internet port in a WiFi 7 device. Sure, Telstra isn't selling NBN 2000 plans – and the gigabit-port restriction in the Telstra Smart Modem 4 means they likely ain't coming anytime soon – but it'll be a problem if you want to use this modem-router with any other provider that does offer them. It's also disappointing that there's only a USB 2.0 port in a day when USB 3.0 feels like a minimum.

While you get all the cables you need in the box to get online, it's confusing that Telstra has included an Ethernet cable with red on one end and yellow on the other when the WAN port is red and the LAN ports are yellow. That colour-coding trend makes it easier for people to distinguish the identical-looking internet port from the local network Ethernet ports.

One of the bigger issues is the overall speed or, rather, the lack of it. For the fastest local file transfer speeds, you'll want to use the four Ethernet ports with priority wired devices. Over WiFi, the best speeds I measured were around 1.5Gbps. While that's comfortably fast enough for any plan up to and including NBN 1000, you'll only get those speeds on the 5GHz band, and even then, that's not overly fast for local network file transfers.

What's more concerning is the lack of coverage on the 5GHz band and how quickly the Telstra Smart Modem 4 defaults to the farther-reaching (but slower) 2.4GHz band. That's manageable if you have any plan up to and including NBN 100, but you'll have noticeably slower download speeds for any devices relegated to the 2.4GHz network. You can potentially fix that by adding up to four Telstra Smart Wi-Fi Boosters, but they cost more than the fourth-gen modem router ($288 each, but Telstra will send you as many as three extra at no cost if the first isn't enough), so a mesh WiFi system is a better alternative if you have speed issues. The other workaround is to upgrade all of your impacted wireless devices to WiFi 7 ones, but that's even pricier.

The other main issue is the functionality you lose if you use this modem-router with any other NBN provider. Mobile backup will reportedly boot you after a while if you're not a Telstra customer, and Internet Optimiser is a Telstra-exclusive feature that's a stand-in for QoS. Admittedly, the Telstra Smart Modem 4 did appear to have some QoS functionality in my tests, but it struggled with multiple video streams while otherwise downloading at full speed.

Should I upgrade from the Telstra Smart Modem 3?

While the Telstra Smart Modem 4 is better than the Telstra Smart Modem 3, upgrading isn't essential. That said, if you've started upgrading to WiFi 7 devices, you will benefit from features like multi-link operation (MLO). MLO is a WiFi 7-exclusive feature that allows WiFi 7 devices on a WiFi 7 network to simultaneously connect to multiple bands. In my tests, it meant the typically slower speeds in my apartment's study were effectively rendered moot because my test device connected to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

Outside of that, the only truly unique feature of the Telstra Smart Modem 4 is SmartFix AI Self Repair. I wasn't able to test that and, even if it does what it claims to do, you won't notice its impact because it will be invisibly repairing potential connectivity issues. Admittedly, you also get potentially faster mobile backup speeds with the Telstra Smart Modem 4, but Telstra typically has some of the fewest outages in Australia, according to ACCC data.

Telstra Smart Modem 4 – Final Thoughts

If you're eyeing off a Telstra NBN plan, using the Telstra Smart Modem 4 is a no-brainer because you get it for free. You'll also get access to a full range of features that elevate the Telstra Smart Modem 4 above its budget RRP. But that low price also means concessions, most notably for any wireless devices that don't have WiFi 7, with a noticeable max speed impact on the slower 2.4GHz band. If you have newer devices, though, the Telstra Smart Modem 4 is one of the cheapest ways to take advantage of WiFi 7 perks like MLO. It's just a shame the Telstra Smart Modem 4 doesn't have other future-proofed perks like a faster internet port.

How we review modems and routers

We consider several factors when reviewing networking equipment, including:

Type: Router, modem-router or mesh WiFi system. Supported NBN technologies and plan speeds.
Design: Size, weight and standing options. Internal or external antennae. Available ports, WiFi version, and single, dual or triband wireless.
Setup: Plug-and-play configurations vs laborious setup. Companion apps and guided setups are a plus.
Performance: Ethernet and WiFi speed tests for downloads, uploads and latency. Real-time latency test for online gaming, VoIP and/or video calls. Plus, everyday use like downloading, uploading, browsing and streaming.
Versatility: Band steering (single SSID), quality of service and other features. Ease of configuration, plus mesh expansion.

Telstra Smart Modem 4 FAQs

How much does the Telstra Smart Modem 4 cost?

The Telstra Smart Modem 4 costs $288 outright. Customers can pay this off on a 12-month or 24-month term to avoid spending that money in one go. The Telstra Smart Modem 4 is available for no upfront cost on select Telstra NBN plans.

What plans include Telstra’s Smart Modem 4?

Telstra’s Upfront NBN plans are bundled with the Smart Modem 4. These are Telstra’s “classic” plan option, compared to its newer, cheaper “internet-only” plans. Customers who get the Smart Modem 4 bundled with an Upfront plan will get it at no extra cost. The only catch is that customers who leave within their first 24 months need to return the modem or pay a hardware fee to keep it.

Does the Telstra Smart Modem 4 have mobile backup?

Customers who get the Smart Modem 4 bundled as part of a Telstra NBN plan will have 4G and 5G mobile backup. Download speeds are limited to 25Mbps, while upload speeds are capped to 5Mbps. Customers who buy one of Telstra’s “internet-only” plans and add a Smart Modem 4 separately will not have mobile backup available to them.

Can you use a range extender with the Telstra Smart Modem 4?

The Telstra Smart Modem 4’s range can be extended with a Telstra Smart Wi-Fi Booster 3. A Smart Wi-Fi Booster 3 costs $168 outright, but can be paid off on a 12-month or 24-month instalment plan. Telstra says one booster is ideal for a small-to-medium home, two for a bigger house, and three for a large or multi-story house.

How does Telstra Internet Optimiser work?

Telstra NBN customers who get the Smart Modem 4 bundled with their NBN plan can use Telstra Internet Optimiser. Telstra Internet Optimiser enables features including network monitoring, device blocking, assigning priority activities, and filtering out gaming servers that are too far away from home. Telstra Internet Optimiser only works with Telstra Smart Modems. Internet Optimiser is managed through the My Telstra app.

Does the Telstra Smart Modem 4 work with NBN 2000 plans?

The Telstra Smart Modem 4 only has a 1Gbps Ethernet port, which means it doesn’t support NBN 2000 speeds. Telstra doesn’t currently sell an NBN 2000 plan, but if one were to take this modem to another provider, it wouldn’t support speeds that fast.

Looking for a new NBN plan?

These are the most popular NBN 50 plans with WhistleOut users this week:

#1	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
#2	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
#3	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
#4	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
#5	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband All Fixed Line nbn® Value nbn - Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 47/18 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25 off for the first 6 months. Promo code SPRING25. $95/mth after promo ends 15.11.26 $70/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $70 Link not supplied	$70/mth for first 6 months, then $95/mth Min. cost $70	Link not supplied
#6	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
#7	iiNet	iiNet All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Liimitless All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. Use code SAVE20FOR6 $69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#8	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
#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	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

Nathan Lawrence

Freelance Contributor

Nathan Lawrence is a freelance writer with over 11 years of experience. He has contributed to publications including WhistleOut Australia, Review.org/au, IGN, STACK, Fandom, Red Bull, and AusGamers. Nathan specialises in researching, writing, and editing content around technology, telecommunications, and gaming.

Read full bio