As the 5G mobile networks continue to grow across the country, more telcos are now offering 5G internet services. One option now readily available from a range of providers is 5G mobile broadband.
While many Aussies might be more interested in a 5G home internet service, if you’re looking for portable internet with fast speeds, a 5G mobile broadband plan might be the way to go. Read on to find out more about 5G mobile broadband in Australia and 5G mobile broadband plans to see if this is the right internet option for you.
What is 5G mobile broadband?
Mobile broadband with 5G is similar to its 4G counterpart in that it uses a mobile network — either the Telstra network, Optus network or Vodafone network — to connect a device to the internet. 5G mobile broadband is able to access both the 4G and 5G mobile networks, while 4G mobile broadband will only be able to connect to a 4G network.
You can pick up 5G mobile broadband plans as either a data-only SIM card or as a plan bundled with a device such as a modem or dongle. Data-only SIMs can be used with tablets or other mobile broadband devices.
As 5G is the next step in mobile technology, you’ll find speeds on a 5G mobile broadband plan may be faster than what you’ll experience with 4G mobile broadband.
5G mobile broadband plans
Mobile broadband — sometimes called a data-only SIM plan — is available from a wide range of providers, however not all of them include 5G access. Both Telstra and Optus offer 5G mobile broadband plans, alongside some smaller providers such as Aussie Broadband and More.
However, before you sign up to any plan, it’s worth checking the network coverage map on your chosen provider’s website. This will help you to determine if you’ll have 5G network coverage in the area you plan to use your mobile broadband service — whether that’s at home or while travelling.
5G mobile broadband plans
The following table shows a selection of published 5G mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Small
min. cost $15 over one month billing period |
20GB | $15 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
Choice Plus Data Plan
min. cost $20 month to month |
20GB | $20 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
Small
min. cost $25 over one month |
30GB | $25 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Medium
min. cost $35 over one month billing period |
100GB | $35 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
100GB Plan
min. cost $40 over first month |
100GB | $40 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Medium
min. cost $58 over one month |
75GB | $58 | Link to provider unavailable |
 |
min. cost $60 over one month billing period |
120GB | $60 | Go to Site |
 |
min. cost $64.90 over first month |
400GB | $64.90 | Go to Site |
|
Large
min. cost $70 over one month billing period |
400GB | $70 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
400GB Plan
min. cost $70 over first month |
400GB | $70 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
min. cost $70 over one month billing period |
220GB | $70 | Go to Site |
|
Large
min. cost $90 over one month |
400GB | $90 | Link to provider unavailable |
 View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Related: Best Rated Mobile Broadband Plans & Providers
5G mobile broadband vs 5G home wireless
5G mobile broadband isn’t the only service that uses a 5G mobile network to connect devices to the internet. 5G home wireless broadband — sometimes called 5G home internet — uses the same technology, however it’s designed to be a home internet alternative to fixed connections, such as NBN.
Typically the modems used for 5G home internet won’t be portable as it will need to be plugged into a power source, and the plans themselves may have large or unlimited data inclusions. However, a 5G mobile broadband device will be portable — often relying on a battery — and plans may have smaller data inclusions designed for on-the-go or back-up internet usage.
Can you use 5G internet instead of NBN?
While 5G mobile broadband can be a useful way to connect to the internet when on the go, these plans — and compatible devices — aren’t a good replacement for a fixed home internet service, such as the NBN.
Even though 5G can technically reach speeds faster than some NBN plans can, the smaller data inclusions often found with 5G mobile broadband might not offer enough data for your internet usage needs. The portable nature of these plans and modems also means you might not be able to connect as many devices to the modem or dongle as you can with an NBN or home wireless compatible modem.
How do I know if I can access 5G mobile broadband?
The easiest way to check if you can access 5G mobile broadband is to use the 5G network coverage map on the website of your preferred provider. If you already have a 5G phone plan and a 5G-compatible smartphone, checking where you receive 5G coverage on your phone could also be a good indicator of where 5G is available.
4G mobile broadband plans
If you don’t currently have access to 5G mobile broadband, many providers still offer 4G mobile broadband plans. Alternatively, you can still get a 5G mobile broadband plan, but it will connect to a 4G network where it doesn’t have 5G coverage.
Telstra Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Telstra mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Small
min. cost $25 over one month |
30GB | $25 | |
|
Medium
min. cost $58 over one month |
75GB | $58 | |
|
Large
min. cost $90 over one month |
400GB | $90 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Vodafone Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Vodafone mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $20 over first month |
30GB | $20 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $40 over first month |
70GB | $40 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Amaysim Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Amaysim mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Sim Only 7GB
min. cost $15 over 28 day billing period |
7GB | $15 | |
|
Sim Only 50GB
min. cost $40 over 28 day billing period |
50GB | $40 | |
|
Sim Only 90GB
min. cost $60 over 28 day billing period |
90GB | $60 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Southern Phone Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Southern Phone mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $180 over 12 month plan period |
7GB | $15 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $300 over 12 month plan period |
15GB | $25 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $480 over 12 month plan period |
50GB | $40 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $780 over 12 month plan period |
100GB | $65 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Tangerine Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Tangerine mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. This is a selection of products with links to referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $34.90 over first month |
100GB | $34.90 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $49.90 over first month |
200GB | $49.90 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $64.90 over first month |
400GB | $64.90 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
The following table shows selected published Belong mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $15 over one month billing period |
20GB | $15 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $35 over one month billing period |
100GB | $35 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $70 over one month billing period |
400GB | $70 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
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