If you’re on the move a fair bit, or perhaps you just want something easy and convenient to access the internet with, have you considered an internet dongle or pocket Wi-Fi? Canstar Blue compares some of the top brands, including what’s available with Telstra, Vodafone and Optus.
Dongles – or USB modems – and pocket Wi-Fi are becoming increasingly popular due to the drop in price of mobile broadband. Usually, you need a mobile broadband plan to make use of either a dongle or pocket Wi-Fi hub; and fortunately, telcos such as Telstra, Vodafone and Optus are all service providers that bundle in their mobile broadband plans with a device, making it an easy one-stop shop. Read on as we explain all you need to know about internet dongles, and take a look at the plans on offer.
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What is an internet dongle?
An internet dongle is usually a USB-sized gadget, that plugs into the USB port on your laptop or computer for when you need easy mobile broadband access. Basically, a dongle is a tiny, unpowered modem that uses your computer’s power to access the internet. Dongles generally come prepackaged with mobile broadband plans from Telstra, Vodafone and Optus.
Just like with mobile phone plans, mobile broadband with these three providers is available as SIM-only, or as a bundled product. If you’re after a dongle from these three telcos, and want maximum convenience, you may prefer to opt for the bundled product.
What is pocket Wi-Fi?
The main difference between pocket Wi-Fi and an internet dongle is the pocket version is self-powered, meaning that you can get away with not plugging it into a device’s USB port to power it up. A pocket Wi-Fi hotspot gets it name because it’s usually small enough to fit into a pocket, can be easily transported, but has the battery power to last for a few hours for wireless connectivity.
A pocket Wi-Fi device is also somewhat of a hybrid between a wireless router and an internet dongle. It uses 4G internet from a mobile broadband SIM card, yet you can put it in the home – or just as easily take it with you.
Compare Home Wireless Broadband Plans
Mobile Broadband Plans with Dongles or Pocket Wi-Fi
If you like the sound of a dongle or pocket Wi-Fi device for easy on-the-move connectivity, there are several Australian providers offering devices and plans. Generally speaking, you’ll be locked in for at least 12 months, while many plans include the device at no extra cost if you opt for a 24-month contract.
Below are several mobile broadband options that can be paired with a dongle or pocket Wi-Fi device. These are featured products from referral partners.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $15 over one month |
5GB | $15 | Go To Site |
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8GB Mobile Broadband Plan
min. cost $239.88 over 12Â month billing period |
8GB | $19.99 | |
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min. cost $20Â over first month |
10GB | $20 | Go To Site |
 View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Telstra Mobile Broadband Dongles & Pocket Wi-Fi
Perhaps the most notable pocket Wi-Fi device is the Netgear Nighthawk M1, and currently the only way to get it is through Telstra. If you’re serious about mobile broadband, you could bundle it with Telstra from $6 per month over a 24 month plan.
Telstra’s mobile broadband plans start at $15 per month for 5GB of data, up to $75 monthly for 200GB. Plans are offered on a month-to-month contract only, and you can also choose to bundle your service with other Telstra devices, including the 4GX Wi-Fi-Pro, and the Telstra 4GX USB for easy ‘plug-and-play’ use.
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.
Telstra Mobile Broadband PlansThe following table shows a selection of published Telstra 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.
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Vodafone Mobile Internet Dongles & Pocket Wi-Fi
Vodafone seems to have a few more options than others, and in the dongle range there are both prepaid and postpaid options available. Plans start at $15 per month for 3GB of data , and are available both as SIM only and on a plan with an included modem.
If you’re an ongoing user, you may find better value in going for the contracted, bundled options. However, if you’re just looking for something short term, or want flexibility, a SIM-only option may be the way to go.
Vodafone Mobile Broadband PlansThe 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.
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Exetel Mobile Internet Dongles & Pocket Wi-Fi
Exetel is known as a low-cost internet and mobile phone plan provider, and also produces a range of mobile broadband plans. With both monthly and 12-month plans available, Exetel hops on the Optus 4G network to deliver its services, and plans are available with Huawei USB modems for an extra $5 monthly (or $69 upfront on month-to-month plans).
If you’re a consistent user, you may find better value in the 12 month options, but if you just need a stop-gap solution, the no lock-in plans may work out better. Exetel offers plans from 5GB up to a massive 90GB, and all excess data is priced at $10 per gigabyte.
Exetel Mobile Broadband PlansThe following table shows a selection of published Exetel 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.
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Optus Mobile Internet Dongles & Pocket Wi-Fi
Optus offers a choice of portable Wi-Fi modems on its month-to-month mobile broadband plans, which can be bundled in as part of your service. Plans are listed below and start from $15 per month for 5GB of data, with Optus Sport streaming included at no extra charge.
Optus Mobile Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Optus mobile broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest.
| Brand | Features | Max Data/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Small Data SIM Plan
min. cost $15 month to month |
5GB | $15 | |
|
Medium Data SIM Plan
min. cost $25 month to month |
25GB | $25 | |
|
Large Data SIM Plan
min. cost $50 month to month |
75GB | $50 | |
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^^View important information | |||
Should I get a dongle or pocket Wi-Fi modem?
Dongle or pocket Wi-Fi modems are convenient ways to get mobile broadband, especially if your device does not support a SIM card by itself. They make it easy to connect to the internet, in some cases getting full-flight 4Gx gigabit speed capacities.
Then there remains the big question – should I get a dongle or pocket Wi-Fi modem? A dongle is not powered on its own, but pocket Wi-Fi usually is. If you’re connected to multiple devices, pocket Wi-Fi might be the better option. However, if you’re doing work, say, on the train, or on a bus, then a dongle may work best for ultimate portability.
In any case, if you can find an unlocked dongle or pocket Wi-Fi modem, and a compatible mobile broadband plan, then you’re onto a winner: but for convenience, going with a locked option on a telco plan is also viable. Finally, be aware that mobile broadband is more expensive than most other kinds of internet, and isn’t a good substitute for fixed or wireless home broadband plans.
Selected mobile broadband plans featured in this guide
| Telco | Â Plan | Data | Monthly Cost | Contract Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telstra | Medium | 60GB | $50 | No contract |
| Telstra | Large | 200GB | $75 | No contract |
| Vodafone | 30GB Mobile Broadband Plan | 60GB | $45 | 12 months |
| Vodafone | 90GB Mobile Broadband Plan | 100GB | $60 | 12Â months |
| Exetel | 60GB Mobile Broadband Plan | 60GB | $59.99 | 12Â months |
| Exetel | 90GB Mobile Broadband Plan | 90GB | $79.99 | 12 months |
| Optus | $25 Data Only Plan | 25GB | $25 | No contract |
| Optus | $50 Data Only Plan | 75GB | $50 | No contract |
| Southern Phone | Green 15 | 15GB | $22 | 12Â months |
| Southern Phone | Green 25 | 25GB | $50 | 12 months |
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