Canstar Blue’s Home Wireless award winner is Vodafone, which earned a five-star result for overall customer satisfaction. In fact, the telco scored a full five stars across all six of our ratings categories, including value for money, customer service, speed and reliability, bill and cost clarity and ease of setup.
We’ve surveyed more than 800 bill-paying customers across the country to find out how happy they are with their home wireless internet provider. Customers scored their current provider on a range of factors, including overall satisfaction, value for money and customer service.
Canstar Blue surveyed 818 Australians with a home wireless broadband plan for feedback on their provider. Respondents had to live in Australia, have a home wireless internet account in their name, and pay the bills for their response to be eligible.
Survey respondents rate their satisfaction with their home wireless provider from zero to 10, where zero is extremely dissatisfied and 10 is extremely satisfied. Provider satisfaction was rated by respondents on the following criteria:
The winning brand is the brand that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating. All the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are then combined and averaged to determine the overall winner.
To qualify in the ratings results, brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included, so not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customers ratings.
Vodafone is our winner for home wireless internet, receiving five stars for overall satisfaction. The telco was also awarded five stars in each additional ratings category, including customer service, value for money, speed and reliability, bill and cost clarity, and ease of setup.
A typically cheaper option among big-name internet providers, Vodafone offers a range of 4G and 5G home wireless plans with no lock-contracts, competitive prices, and frequent discounts for new signups. All plans include unlimited monthly data, and simple ‘plug in and play’ modem setup with no upfront fees. Vodafone’s 5G home internet plans also come with two download speed options, so customers can tailor their plan to the speed best suited to their household.
The following table shows a selection of published Vodafone 5G home 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 $65 over first month |
Unlimited | $65 | Go to Site |
|
5G Home Broadband Premium plan
min. cost $70 over first month |
Unlimited | $70 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
The following table shows a selection of published Vodafone 4G home 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
4G Home Internet Plan
min. cost $240 over first month |
Unlimited | $60 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
TPG earned four stars for overall satisfaction in 2023, but took home five stars in value for money, bill and cost clarity and ease of setup. The telco also received four stars for customer service and three stars for speed and reliability.
TPG caters to both 4G-only and 5G customers with a small selection of home wireless plans, all of which come with unlimited data and no activation or setup fees. 4G plans are slightly cheaper than 5G, but TPG does offer two 5G speed tiers at differing prices. All plans are month-to-month and feature an included modem, which is yours to keep if you stay connected for a minimum term. Coverage is offered on the Vodafone 4G and 5G networks.
The following table shows a selection of published TPG 5G home 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $59.99 over first month |
Unlimited | $59.99 | Go to Site |
|
5G Home Broadband Premium plan
min. cost $64.99 over first month |
Unlimited | $64.99 | Go to Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
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 received four stars for overall satisfaction in this year’s ratings, as well as three stars for customer service. However, the telco was awarded four stars in all other categories, including value for money, speed and reliability, bill and cost clarity, and ease of setup.
Optus offers multiple 5G home wireless plans, with various speed limits and even an entertainment-focused option with included Netflix. Customers without 5G coverage can also sign on for a 4G-only home internet plan. All of Optus’ home wireless plans include unlimited data, as well as no lock-in contracts, and come with an Optus modem which is free when you remain connected for a minimum term.
The following table shows selected published Optus 5G 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.
| Brand | Features | Max Data**/billing period | Advertised Cost^^/billing period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Optus Plus Everyday 5G
min. cost $576 over first month |
Unlimited | $69 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Optus Plus Everyday Fast 5G
min. cost $576 over first month |
Unlimited | $79 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
Optus Plus Entertainer Superfast 5G
min. cost $576 over first month |
Unlimited | $99 | Link to provider unavailable |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
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 | |||
Telstra rounded out our 2023 ratings with three stars for overall satisfaction, value for money, customer service, bill and cost clarity, and ease of setup. The telco earned four stars for speed and reliability.
Telstra’s home wireless options now only include a single 5G internet plan, designed as an alternative to other home broadband such as NBN. This plan includes one terabyte of full-speed 5G data per month, with any excess usage speed-capped to 25Mbps. Telstra’s plan is month-to-month with no lock-in contract, and includes a 5G modem, although you’ll need to return it if you cancel your plan within 24 months or be charged a non-return fee.
The following table shows a selection of published Telstra 5G 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
5G Home Internet
min. cost $85 over one month |
1TB | $85 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Home wireless plans aren’t nearly as widespread as NBN, but most of the major internet providers offer 4G or 5G internet options. Here’s some of the main telcos selling home wireless:
If you’re looking at home wireless internet, you’ll want to consider the following when selecting a plan or provider.
Also known as home wireless internet or 4G/5G home internet, home wireless broadband works by delivering an internet connection to a wireless modem/router over either 4G or 5G mobile networks. Unlike the NBN, home wireless broadband doesn’t need to connect to a fixed line, and can be placed anywhere in your home where a power outlet is available.
As home wireless internet relies on the same mobile data networks as your mobile phone, coverage is available across most of Australia — at least for 4G service. However, customers in regional areas will likely find their access to these plans to be very limited in comparison to city dwellers.
All home wireless service operates on Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone’s networks, with smaller telcos buying wholesale access to coverage from the ‘big three’. So if you’ve got reliable 4G or 5G coverage from at least one of these providers, you’ll likely have access to a home wireless internet plan.
You’ll be able to check if a home wireless plan is offered in your area by entering your address on a provider’s website. If you’re not eligible for 4G or 5G home internet, you may be offered an alternative service, such as NBN.
We asked Australian survey respondents their opinions on their current home wireless plan, including how they feel about speeds, prices and moving to the NBN. Here’s what we found:
The average monthly cost for a home wireless broadband plan in 2023 is $69 per month. Customers in the ACT pay the least, with a $57 monthly average, while Victorians pay the most at $74 per month.
This page was written and is regularly updated by Canstar Blue’s Utilities Editor, Tara Donnelly. Having spent years writing for and editing telco comparison websites, she’s an expert in all things phone & internet, including phone plans and how to find the best deal for your family. She loves to highlight the next best phone deals, while also flagging the things you need to be aware of. Tara also acts as a spokesperson for Canstar Blue.
Meet the Editorial Team
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Meet the Research TeamCanstar Blue surveyed 12,200 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have purchased a brand-new smartphone in the last 2 years – in this case, 818 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.
Home wireless plans tend to be slightly more expensive than NBN. Plans prices usually begin at around $55 per month for unlimited data, while NBN starts at around $45.
However, both NBN and home wireless plans are priced by speed — the faster the plan, the more you’ll pay per month. If you’re looking for very fast speeds, opting for a high-speed 5G home wireless plan may actually be cheaper than the equivalent speed on the NBN.
For example, full speed 5G is priced from $85 per month for typical download speeds of around 330Mbps, while NBN with 250Mbps speeds begin at about $95. So you may want to shop around and compare between both NBN and home wireless plans if you have access to both.
NBN plans are offered across six main speed tiers, with maximum download speeds available up to 1000Mbps theoretically (although average peak hour speeds tend to max out at about 600Mbps, depending on your telco). The most popular plans include peak speeds of 50Mbps, which is generally suitable for families and typical users.
In comparison, 4G home wireless plans tend to achieve download speeds of around 20Mbps – 25Mbps, but 5G internet is much faster: Optus cites typical busy hour speeds of 240Mbps as of June 2023, while Telstra’s 5G plan averages at 336Mbps.
So overall, NBN has the potential to be faster, but opting for 5G home wireless can still get you impressive speeds, even in high-use periods.
