Wireless Broadband Plans & Providers

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Home wireless broadband is the mainstream alternative to the NBN – a super-easy, plug and play solution to getting the WiFi on at your place. Simply order a SIM card and modem, and away you go. It’s like connecting to the internet on your mobile phone, and nearly as simple.

Home wireless will connect you to your favoured 4G mobile network, or 5G if you’re lucky enough to live in an area covered by the latest generation technology. It’s generally reliable and hugely convenient, which is why many Australian households are now turning to home wireless over the NBN or any other connection type. In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about home wireless broadband, as well as reveal the plans you can sign up to. Thank us later.

Home Wireless Plans – Quick Comparison

Just looking for a quick home wireless plan? See our quick comparison of latest offers here.

What does home wireless broadband mean?

Home wireless broadband is technology that allows a modem to connect to the internet remotely. In this case, the connection we will be looking at is over the mobile phone network; however, wireless broadband can also be delivered through satellite connection. Home wireless differs from mobile broadband in that it comes packaged with a router, and is intended for use as a replacement for a fixed line connection. It’s different from a mobile SIM, which delivers a phone plan and phone plan data to your smartphone.

How does home wireless broadband work?

Home wireless broadband works by delivering an internet connection to a wireless modem over either 4G, 5G or satellite signals. Unlike the NBN, home wireless broadband doesn’t need to connect to a fixed line in the wall, and can be placed anywhere in your home where a power outlet is available. However, speeds are inconsistent compared to the NBN, and home wireless broadband makes for a worse choice for a household after a Netflix streaming or online gaming solution.

Why should I get home wireless broadband?

Home wireless may be especially useful if:

• You rent your home
• You frequently move
• You don’t like lock-in contracts
• You can’t access NBN or simply don’t want it

If you are a renter or frequently on the move and aren’t interested in a fixed-line connection, home wireless provides you the flexibility to access the internet wherever you have power. For those on short leases, this could be invaluable.

Otherwise, the ease of use is a significant benefit. It’s not an exaggeration to say most devices in your house can support a WiFi connection these days. From your personal tablet to smart fridge, you will need a WiFi network to make the most of your electronics. These devices typically don’t use much bandwidth, making them suitable for a mobile connection.

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Home wireless broadband plans

Here’s a snapshot of home wireless broadband plans from a wide variety of providers:

• iiNet: Unlimited data for $59.99 per month on a month-to-month plan with included modem.
• TPG: Unlimited data for $54.99 per month on a month-to-month plan with included modem.
• Optus – 200GB data for $59 a month, or 500GB for $69 per month, on 24-month or month-to-month plans. Modems included on 24-month contracts, or available from $216 upfront on a month-to-month plan.
• Southern Phone – 200GB data for $50, or 500GB for $70 per month, on a 12-month contract. Both plans include a WiFi modem.
• Tangerine – 200GB data for $69.90, 500GB for $79.90, or 1000GB for $99.90 per month, on no lock-in contract.
• Yomojo – 200GB data for $59.90 per month, or 500GB for $79.90 per month, with no lock-in contract ($179 upfront modem cost).
• Spintel – 200GB data from $49.95 monthly, on a 12-month or no lock-in contract.

Regardless of your choice of provider, plans usually come with a 4G WiFi modem, often manufactured by Huawei. It’s important to note that some telcos are speed-rated to 10 or 12Mbps downloads, and some may also recognise peer-to-peer file sharing and throttle speeds further.

With the exception of TPG, iiNet, and Optus 5G, unlimited data is fairly hard to come by, with most data caps hovering around the 200GB mark (or up to 500GB with Optus). If you’re a light user, these plans could be a great alternative to the NBN. On the other hand, if you’re a heavy user or in a larger household, 200GB could be eaten up pretty quickly!

Below are some of the home wireless broadband options available in Australia. Tables may contain featured products from our referral partners. Be aware, home wireless broadband is different to NBN Fixed Wireless, which is an NBN connection type for rural and remote communities.

iiNet Home Wireless Broadband Plans

iiNet now offers customers unlimited monthly data on its single home wireless plan, which features coverage on the Vodafone 4G network. This no-contract plan is priced at $59.99 per month with no setup or activation fees, and includes a premium WiFi modem. iiNet cites speeds of up to 20Mbps.

TPG Home Wireless Broadband Plans

TPG”s home wireless broadband plan is priced at $54.99 per month for unlimited data, with no lock-in contracts or setup fees. Coverage is provided by Vodafone’s 4G mobile network, and the plan features an included WiFi modem and a maximum speed of 20Mbps.

Optus 4G Home Internet Plans

Optus provides a choice of two 4G home internet plans, both on two-year contracts or month-to-month. $59 buys you 200GB of data, while the $69 plan features 500GB each month. Two-year plans include a modem at no upfront cost, but if you decide to go contract free, you’ll need to pay $216 upfront.

If you use more than your included data during your billing month, you’ll automatically receive another 40GB for $10 up to 5 times, after which your speed will be slowed to 1.5Mps. Coverage and serviceability will vary depending on device, location and other factors.

Optus 5G Home Internet

If you’re lucky enough to live in an area with Optus 5G coverage, you may also be eligible for the telco’s $75 unlimited 5G home broadband plan (with speed capped at 100Mbps), or the $90 upgrade with unrestricted speeds and included Fetch Mighty. Plans include unlimited monthly data, as well as a Nokia 5G modem, and are available on a month-to-month or 24-month contract. Keep in mind that if you do want to go contract-free, you’ll need to pay a $200 setup fee.

Southern Phone Wireless Broadband Plans

Note: Southern Phone is currently no longer accepting home wireless broadband customers

Southern Phone offers two home wireless broadband plans on Optus’ 4G network, both of which are available on 24-month contracts. Plans include 200GB for $50 per month, or 500GB of data for $70 monthly. All plans include an Optus-approved WiFi modem.

Tangerine Wireless Broadband Plans

Note: Tangerine is currently no longer accepting home wireless broadband customers

Tangerine’s home wireless broadband operates on the Optus 4G Plus network, and all plans are available with no lock-in contracts. Customers can sign on for 200GB for $69.90 per month, 500GB for $79.90, or 1000GB for $99.90. And currently, Tangerine is offering new customers $10 off their plan per month for the first six months.

Yomojo Wireless Broadband Plans

Yomojo’s wireless options include 200GB of data each month for a competitive $59.90, and a 500GB plan for $79.90 monthly. These plans are available contract-free, but you’ll need to pay $179 upfront for the included Netcomm 4G Gateway.

Spintel Wireless Broadband Plans

Spintel offers up to 500GB of data on casual and 12-month contracts, with prices beginning at $49.95 per month for 200GB at speeds of 12Mbps. The requisite NetComm modem comes with an upfront cost of $179 plus $20 postage, but if you opt for a 12-month plan, you’ll receive a $100 account credit to help offset this charge. Spintel also gives customers the option of adding unlimited home phone to their wireless plan, for an additional $10 per month.

Home wireless broadband FAQ

Still confused about home wireless broadband? We’ll answer some of your burning questions with the explainers below.

What is the best wireless broadband plan for me?

When comparing wireless broadband plans, the first step is to check to see if wireless broadband is available to your address. You may find some providers do not offer these plans to your address and you’ll need to look into an alternative. If you can access wireless broadband from your home and from a range of providers, take into consideration what your budget is and how much data you’ll need on your plan and compare what is on offer from each plan. This should help you find the best wireless broadband plan for your home.

Think about:

• Your preferred mobile network – be it Telstra, Optus or Vodafone. What’s coverage like in your area? Do you already have a good connection with one of these networks for your phone service?
• You data requirements – the main limitation to home wireless broadband is that data is often capped at about 500GB or 1000GB, so if you desperately need unlimited data then you may be out of luck. Think carefully about this though – it’s common to overestimate your data needs.
• Your bank balance – home wireless is generally not the cheapest form of internet for your home and can seem quite expensive when you have a data cap in place, so make sure you find the right balance of data versus price.

What’s the difference between home wireless and mobile broadband?

While both types of broadband rely on cellular networks, rather than a fixed-line connection, mobile broadband is designed for on-the-go use rather than as a total home internet solution. You’ll find mobile broadband plans are typically a little more expensive than home wireless, and may not be ideal for heavy data users or larger households.

Still, if you’re interested in comparing mobile broadband, we’ve listed several plans with around 50GB per month below. The following table shows a selection of comparable published 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.

How do you set up home wireless broadband?

Home wireless plans typically involve two components – a SIM card and a modem. The SIM card is used to access the mobile network and the modem supports either a WiFi or Ethernet connection. Insert the SIM in the router, power the modem up and your connection is good to go.

This is generally a much more simple process than establishing a new NBN or other fixed-line connection as that usually requires professional installation and tech support. With home wireless, you can simply ‘plug and play’. In fact, Optus boasts that its home wireless router takes less than five minutes to set up.

What do you need for wireless broadband?

Home wireless broadband relies on having a modem and a 4G, 5G or satellite signal in range (specifically, one that your plan can connect to). Often, your home wireless broadband modem will contain a SIM card, which is how your plan details are stored, however, this is not always the case. You might also assume that you can put this SIM card in your phone, however, you’ll find that the home wireless broadband plan will simply not work. You’ll need a functionally independent modem powering your home wireless broadband plan, which you can connect your devices to either over ethernet or over WiFi. You’ll also need to pay for a home wireless broadband plan.

Does home wireless have any limitations?

Home wireless does have several limitations, with the price per megabyte being a major factor. Limitations include:

• It can be expensive, with data over wireless far more costly than ADSL or other fixed line connections in a ‘data for dollars’ sense.
• Coverage can vary just like a mobile phone’s signal. Home wireless won’t vary as much as your typical phone, as your router generally doesn’t leave your house. However, if your mobile reception at home is poor, you may want to think twice before committing to a lock-in home wireless plan.
• Top speeds can be affected easily, with some providers only promising max speeds slower than that of ADSL – 12Mbps.

Can I take my home wireless with me when I travel?

Home wireless broadband can be used anywhere that there’s a power outlet and a signal the modem can connect to – so don’t be worried about moving it around the house. This being said, it’s important to check if your provider offers taking your home wireless broadband modem when travelling as an option. Home wireless broadband plans cannot be used overseas.

Do I need a phone line for wireless broadband?

No, you don’t need a phone line for wireless broadband in Australia, just as you don’t need one for the NBN.

How do I boost my wireless broadband signal?

You can boost your wireless broadband signal by moving your modem to a more ideal spot in your home – a place where the WiFi can be transmitted thoroughly throughout the house. If you’ve tried this, but you’re still getting signal issues, consider moving your devices closer to the wireless broadband modem, and limiting what devices are connected to the modem at any given time, as some devices can suck up bandwidth when you’re not expecting them to (such as with background updates). You can also try a WiFi range extender.

Is a home wireless plan right for me?

Which plan you choose comes down to your internet priorities. If you’re a data-heavy user, or suffering a Netflix addiction, Optus and SpinTel’s 200GB+ plans are a viable option – you’ll get enough data for streaming at a comparatively cheap price. Optus’ stated speeds are sufficient to stream internet video, and its larger 500GB plan should allow for up to 166 hours of HD Netflix streaming each month.

With home wireless, you are really paying extra for the amount of data because of the convenience factor. If you’re moving around a lot, or just want your very own home broadband connection without sharing with your family or pesky flatmates, home wireless broadband may be for you. Furthermore, if you’re just after a quick-fix solution without bothering with ADSL or NBN plan installation, home wireless is again a fair idea. However, you’ll pay more per gigabyte than with other internet connections – so you’ll have to weigh up the cost/convenience factor for yourself.

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