Home wireless broadband is a casual internet user’s solution to getting a good home WiFi connection, and is a viable alternative to fixed-line internet such as ADSL and NBN. Home wireless broadband uses 4G and 3G connections (and 5G from some providers, in some areas) to beam a wireless internet signal into your home. Plenty of providers are offering this type of internet, with Exetel amongst the most prominent.
Exetel offers home wireless broadband on both 12-month contracts and month-to-month, all on the Optus 4G Plus network. But how do Exetel’s offerings stack up to the competition? Read on to find out.
How much does Exetel home wireless cost?
Exetel’s home wireless broadband prices are $69.95 per month across both plans, each offering 250GB data. The difference between the plans is the payment period.
On the first plan, you’ll be locked in for 12 months, and be charged a modem fee of $94.50. On the second plan, you’ll pay on a month-to-month basis, and pay $189 upfront for the modem. Both plans include a $20 modem shipping fee.
If you’re interested in either of these deals, check out the table below.
Exetel Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Exetel wireless 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Home Wireless Broadband month-to-month plan
min. cost $278.00 for the first month |
250GB | $69 |
Link to provider unavailable |
|
Home Wireless Broadband 12 month plan
min. cost $942.50 over 12 month plan period |
250GB | $69 |
Link to provider unavailable |
 View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
What do you need for home wireless broadband?
All you need is a power point, a wireless modem and a SIM card, with the last two typically delivered by your chosen provider. Simply slot the SIM card into your modem, and you should be ready to go after connecting your computer or phone to the modem. Home wireless broadband isn’t intended to be portable like mobile broadband, however you can take your modem anywhere there’s a signal from your provider’s network – in this case, anywhere where Optus 3G and 4G coverage is available.
The 4G modem available from Exetel, the NetComm NL1901ACV
What network does Exetel home wireless use?
Like most of the other smaller ISPs offering home wireless broadband, Exetel ‘piggybacks’ off the Optus 4G Plus network. Smaller ISPs have to use networks provided by Telstra, Optus or Vodafone because they don’t own networks themselves. This usually means smaller providers don’t get full access to the network, although the access provided is good enough for every home broadband use.
How fast is Exetel home wireless broadband?
You should expect download speeds of at least around 12Mbps on a home wireless broadband connection, although faster speeds are common. It’s best to compare home wireless speeds to Basic NBN 12 speeds, although factors like your location, signal strength, network congestion and modem technology can affect your speed. If you’re lucky enough to have 5G coverage in your area, you can expect much faster results.
The best way to gauge your speed is to get a phone plan that operates on the same network that your home wireless speed operates on (your phone or a friend’s phone, provided they use the Optus network) and run a speed test. This way you’ll have a solid answer as to how fast the speeds are going to be in your home, and whether that’s going to be enough for your home internet expectations.
Exetel currently offer coverage on Optus’ 5G network, although Optus recently announced that smaller carriers will soon get the option to offer customers 5G access wherever it is available.
Exetel Home Wireless Plans Compared
Exetel’s got a lot of competition in the home wireless broadband game, with plenty of other providers worth checking out before you buy. See below for a range of home wireless plans from our database.
iiNet Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published iiNet home wireless broadband plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of their standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Home Wireless Broadband Liimitless Plan
min. cost $59.99 over one month |
Unlimited | $59.99 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
TPG Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published TPG home wireless broadband plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Home Wireless Broadband Unlimited Plan
min. cost $54.99 over first month |
Unlimited | $54.99 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Optus 4G Home Internet Plans
The following table shows a selection of Optus 4G Home Internet 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
4G Home Internet Unlimited (24 Month)
min. cost $1,357 over 24 month plan period |
Unlimited | $59 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
4G Home Internet Unlimited (Month-to-Month)
min. cost $275 (incl. $216 modem cost) over first month plan period |
Unlimited | $59 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Southern Phone Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Southern Phone wireless 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Home Wireless 50
min. cost $1,279 over 24 month plan period |
200GB | $50 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Home Wireless 70
min. cost $1,759 over 24 month plan period |
500GB | $70 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Tangerine Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Tangerine wireless 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
200GB Plan
min. cost $59.90 over first month |
200GB | $69.90 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
500GB Plan
min. cost $69.90 over first month |
500GB | $79.90 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
1000GB Plan
min. cost $99.90 over first month |
1000GB | $99.90 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Exetel Home Wireless vs NBN
Exetel also offers NBN plans, which makes it really easy to compare beside its home wireless broadband deals. Exetel offers NBN for casual users as well as for more power-user households.
NBN plans from Exetel start at just $69 per month for unlimited NBN 25, and all plans are without a lock-in contract with free activation. You can pick up a modem at the checkout. These plans work well if you’re after flexibility, and with unlimited data you’ll never worry about blowing through your data allowance.
The following table shows a selection of Exetel plans on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of standard monthly cost, from the lowest to highest, and then by alphabetical order of provider. Use our comparison tool above to see plans from a range of other providers.
Why should I get Exetel home wireless broadband?
Exetel’s modest offering of two home wireless plans, one month-to-month and the other on a 12-month contract, are perhaps best considered as entry-level options for those looking at home wireless for the first time. And with only 250GB data allowances, your internet needs will also have to be pretty modest, otherwise you’ll exceed this cap pretty quickly. You’ll find home wireless plans are great for casual streaming, browsing and social media use, but you’ll find it severely lacking for heavy streaming and gaming.
The great thing about Exetel home wireless is that – unlike with some other providers – you can sign up on a monthly, commitment-free basis. This gives you time and freedom to really put this internet option through its paces and see if it’s right for you, before signing up for something more longer-term, be it with Exetel or another provider.
You should definitely keep Exetel in mind when looking around for a plan. No-nonsense plans really make the choice easier, but it’s best to review what’s on offer before commiting to a plan.
Exetel home wireless key takeouts:
- Prices start from $69.95 per month
- Generally one of the more expensive providers
- Month-to-month and 12-month contract options
- Data caps at just 250GB
- Uses the Optus 4G Plus Network
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