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?
Starlink has begun beta testing in NSW and Victoria, with customers able to order equipment now, provided they live in the beta-capable regions. The service is intended to be out of beta by the end of the year, but this is timeframe is currently up in the air.
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 |
30GB | $25 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $55 over one month |
75GB | $55 | Go to Site |
|
min. cost $85 over one month |
400GB | $85 | 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 $20 over first month |
10GB | $20 |
Link to provider unavailable |
|
40GB Mobile Broadband Plan
min. cost $40 over first month |
40GB | $40 |
Link to provider unavailable |
|
100GB Mobile Broadband Plan
min. cost $60 over first month |
100GB | $60 |
Link to provider unavailable |
| 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 |
Link to provider unavailable |
|
SIM Only 50GB
min. cost $40 over 28 day billing period |
50GB | $40 |
Link to provider unavailable |
|
SIM Only 90GB
min. cost $60 over 28 day billing period |
90GB | $60 |
Link to provider unavailable |
| 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 | |||
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.
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 Lite 200GB (24 Months)
min. cost $1,416 over 24 month plan period |
200GB | $59 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
4G Home Internet Lite 200GB (Month-to-Month)
min. cost $275 (incl. $216 modem cost) over first month plan period |
200GB | $59 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
4G Home Internet Everyday 500GB (24 Month)
min. cost $1,656 over 24 month plan period |
500GB | $69 | Link to provider unavailable |
|
4G Home Internet Everyday 500GB (Month-to-Month)
min. cost $285 (incl. $216 modem cost) over first month plan period |
500GB | $69 | 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 | |||
How much will Starlink cost?
Starlink will cost $139 per month in Australia, plus $809 for the setup kit – that’s $709 for the kit and $100 for shipping.
How fast will Starlink be?
Starlink is expected to have download speeds of between 50Mbps to 150Mbps. In America, 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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