Imagine: high-speed internet, beamed to anywhere in Australia from an array of satellites orbiting the earth, and all you need to do is have a satellite dish outside your home. That’s the plan with the SpaceX ‘Starlink’ service, which is intended to have low-cost internet across the globe soon. But with such an ambitious project comes a plethora of questions — how much will it cost and will we even get it in Australia? Fear not, we’ve got all your questions answered below.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a ‘Global broadband internet’ program powered by thousands of satellites around the Earth, launched as a beta in North America in 2020, with the ultimate plan to deliver high-speed and low-latency internet to homes across the globe. Starlink is owned by SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space transportation company, and the service is planned to come to Australia at some point. It could very well be an NBN alternative, but it’s still early days.
In practice, users require a satellite dish to receive the internet connection from the network. Twitter user @PPathole has done a live demonstration of the unboxing below. Connecting to the Starlink service requires a router too, included in the box with the satellite, which will transmit a Wi-Fi signal through your home.
Starlink unboxing video … Speed offerings up to 100Mbps and a latency of ~20ms, and all that for $99 monthly subscription is a pretty great deal.
If you’re living in the middle of nowhere — $3.3 Internet/day is a sweet deal 🤯 pic.twitter.com/JqL6XKVuZ1
— Pranay Pathole (@PPathole) November 3, 2020
When is Starlink coming to Australia?
Short answer is, we don’t know beyond sometime in 2021. The system is still in beta testing in North America, with satellites still gearing up to be launched. In September it was reported that 800 satellites had been sent into orbit, which is somewhat shy of the 42,000 the network is said to need. Beyond that, we simply don’t know. Starlink has been giving approval to work in Australia, but that’s just the first step.
Looking for an NBN alternative? Consider home wireless broadband
Let’s be honest, not everybody is happy with the NBN, hence why you’re probably reading up about Starlink. But with Starlink coming (hopefully) in the future, now is the time to scout the market for some other alternatives. Thankfully, two alternatives exist — mobile broadband and home wireless broadband, which both use 3G, 4G and, in some cases, 5G networks to deliver your internet connection.
Mobile Broadband Plans
Mobile broadband is a low cost, low data and portable broadband solution, which only requires a SIM card and device to use. If you’re after an internet plan that doesn’t use the NBN, mobile broadband could be your solution. You can find plans in the below tables.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $15 over one month |
5GB | $15 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $25 over one month |
20GB | $25 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $50 over one month |
60GB | $50 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $75 over one month |
200GB | $75 | Go To Site |
 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
10GB Mobile Broadband Plan
min. cost $20Â over first month |
10GB | $20 | |
|
40GB Mobile Broadband Plan
min. cost $40Â over first month |
40GB | $40 | |
|
100GB Mobile Broadband Plan
min. cost $60Â over first month |
100GB | $60 | |
| 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 | |||
Mobile Broadband Plans Compared
The following table shows a selection of published 100GB 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 90GB
min. cost $60 over 28 day billing period |
90GB | $60 | |
|
100GB Mobile Broadband Plan
min. cost $60Â over first month |
100GB | $60 | |
|
min. cost $780 over 12 month plan period |
100GB | $65 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $75 over one month |
200GB | $75 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Home Wireless Plans
Home wireless broadband isn’t portable and requires a mains powered modem, however plans are similar to NBN in terms of cost, and data limits are usually large enough to satisfy a household. You can find home wireless plans in the tables below.
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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
min. cost $1,279 over 24 month plan period |
200GB | $50 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $1,759Â over 24 month plan period |
500GB | $70 | Go To Site |
| 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
min. cost $59.90 over first month |
200GB | $69.90 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $69.90 over first month |
500GB | $79.90 | Go To Site |
|
min. cost $99.90 over first month |
1000GB | $99.90 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Optus 4G Home Internet Plans
Optus provides a choice of two 4G home internet plans, both on two-year contracts or month-to-month. $65 buys you 200GB of data, while the $75 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.
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 Lite 200GB (24 Months)
min. cost $1,560Â over 24 month plan period |
200GB | $65 | Go To Site |
|
4G Home Internet Lite 200GB (Month-to-Month)
min. cost $281 (incl. $216 modem cost)Â over first month plan period |
200GB | $65 | Go To Site |
|
4G Home Internet Everyday 500GB (24 Month)
min. cost $1,800Â over 24 month plan period |
500GB | $75 | Go To Site |
|
4G Home Internet Everyday 500GB (Month-to-Month)
min. cost $291 (incl. $216 modem cost)Â over first month plan period |
500GB | $75 | Go To Site |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Yomojo Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Yomojo 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 Plan
min. cost $238.90 for the first month |
200GB | $59.90 | |
|
Home Wireless Broadband Plan
min. cost $258.90 for the first month |
500GB | $79.90 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
Spintel Wireless Broadband Plans
The following table shows a selection of published Spintel 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Basic Home Wireless Broadband Plan (12Mbps)
min. cost $798.40Â over 12Â month plan period |
200GB | $49.95 | |
|
Home Wireless Broadband Plan (High Speed 4G)
min. cost $918.40 over 12Â month plan period |
200GB | $59.95 | |
|
Home Wireless Broadband (High Speed 4G)
min. cost $1,038.40Â over 12Â month plan period |
500GB | $69.95 | |
| View all NBN plans listed on Canstar Blue |
**^^View important information | |||
How much will Starlink cost?
Access to the Starlink beta service currently costs US$99 (A$138.75) per month, plus US$499 ($699) for the setup kit — this beta is currently only available in North America, although SpaceX is said to be looking for ways to cut the setup cost. We currently don’t know how much it will cost in Australia when it eventually comes here, or what the plans for an Australian beta are.
How fast will Starlink be?
Starlink is expected to have download speeds of around 100Mbps up to 1Gbps, with ultralow latency beaming internet all around the world. Users have reported download speeds of up to 176Mbps and upload speeds of 17Mbps so far in heavy fog conditions on Reddit, but results in Australia may vary greatly.
If you’d like to learn more about the Starlink website, you can get updates on the service via the Starlink website.
Need an internet upgrade? Get a faster NBN plan
Below you’ll find a wide range of NBN plans from across the market, which could win you over until Starlink arrives. If you’re unsatisfied with your NBN experience, there is a chance your provider or current speed tier is to blame, so make sure you shop around for the right plan for your needs.
Unlimited Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Premium Evening Speed (NBN 100) 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. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Standard Plus Evening Speed (NBN 50) 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. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Unlimited Standard Evening Speed (NBN 25) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Standard Evening Speed (NBN 25) 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. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Unlimited Basic Evening Speed (NBN 12) Plans
The following table shows a selection of published unlimited Basic Evening Speed (NBN 12) 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. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
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