5G has undergone a huge period of change in the past few years, with Telstra, Vodafone and Optus officially switching on their respective networks in selected areas. In this article, Canstar Blue explores Telstra’s 5G network.
In this guide we’ll cover:
Where is Telstra 5G available?
Telstra has been at the forefront of 5G technology in Australia since opening the 5G Innovation Centre in 2018. The telco has claimed several Australian firsts – including completing the first end-to-end standalone 5G call, being the first provider to enable 5G in all capital cities, and offering the first commercial 5G phones to Aussie consumers.
Telstra has rolled out more than 4900 5G sites across the country. Right now, Telstra’s 5G is live in select areas of more than 400 cities and regional towns across Australia – that’s more locations than any other Australian network.
Telstra offers live 5G coverage in select areas in most major cities, including:
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Canberra
- Gold Coast
- Hobart
- Launceston
- Melbourne
- Perth
- Sydney
- Toowoomba
If you’re curious as to where exactly 5G is now live, you can view coverage maps for each city on Telstra’s website. However, be aware that these maps don’t include ‘indoor coverage’ – while you may be able to pick up a 5G signal outside, this doesn’t guarantee you’ll get the same network strength inside buildings. We’ve provided examples of Telstra’s 5G coverage in three major cities below.
Telstra 5G coverage map: Sydney
Telstra 5G coverage map: Melbourne
Telstra 5G coverage map: Brisbane
Image Credits: https://www.telstra.com.au/coverage-networks/our-coverage
How can I access Telstra’s 5G network?
To use 5G on your phone, you’ll need a device that supports the frequencies used by 5G in Australia. Fortunately, you don’t need to figure out your phone’s compatibility on your own: 5G-capable smartphones are clearly labelled and an increasing number of these devices are available to Telstra customers:
Telstra 5G phones
- Samsung Galaxy S24 series
- Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and Fold series
- Samsung Galaxy A series
- Apple iPhone 15 series
- Google Pixel 9 series
- Google Pixel 8 series
- Samsung Galaxy S23 series
- Google Pixel 7 series
- Apple iPhone 14 series
- Samsung Galaxy S22 series
- Apple iPhone 13 series
- OPPO Find X5 Pro
- OPPO A94 5G
- Samsung Galaxy S21 series
- Samsung Galaxy S20 series
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20 & Note 20 Ultra 5G
- Samsung Galaxy XCover7
- Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro
- Apple iPhone SE
- Apple iPhone 12 & iPhone 12 Pro
- Apple iPhone 11
- Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
- Google Pixel 6 Pro & A
- Motorola G62 5G
- Motorola G34
- Motorola razr 40 series
- Nokia G11 Plus
- Nokia X30 5G
- Nokia XR20
Samsung Galaxy S24
The Samsung Galaxy S24 series launched early 2024 and each of three models (the S24, S24+ and S24 Ultra) are 5G-capable. Telstra may also have stocks of older Samsung 5G devices including the Galaxy S23 series and the Galaxy S22 series.
Telstra offers the Samsung Galaxy S24 on 12, 24 and 36-month payment plans. Below is a selection of published 24-month Telstra plans for the 256GB Samsung Galaxy S24 on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of monthly cost, from the lowest to highest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
iPhone 15
Apple’s first-ever 5G smartphones were launched at the end of 2020. The 2023 iPhone 15 series (which includes the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max) are all 5G-ready and compatible with Telstra’s 5G network.
The iPhone 15 is available on 12, 24 and 36-month plans from Telstra. The following table shows a selection of published 24-month Telstra phone plans for the 128GB iPhone 15 on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
Telstra 5G home internet
Looking for a 5G home internet option? Telstra offers the 5G Internet Modem 2, which supports super-fast WiFi 6 technology. This device is now available to order from Telstra on an $85 month-to-month 5G home internet plan. Telstra’s 5G home internet plan includes 1000 GB of data each month, with average busy period download speeds of 317 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 36Mbps.
The below table features all published Telstra 5G home internet plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost from lowest to highest and then by data allowance. These are products with links to a referral partner.
Telstra 5G Home Internet Plans
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 | |||
How much does Telstra 5G cost?
Right now, Telstra’s 5G network is free to use on the telco’s 5G phone plans with an accompanying 5G-compatible device. In terms of Telstra’s three postpaid phone plans, the Basic plan (available as SIM-only or bundled with a new device) is the only plan to have a speed cap on its 5G access, but 5G is included on all postpaid plans.
The below table shows a range of postpaid and prepaid plans with 5G network access.
The following table shows a selection of published postpaid SIM plans with 5G access on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
The following table shows a selection of published prepaid SIM plans with 5G access on Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of cost, from the lowest to highest and then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see plans from a range of other providers. This is a selection of products with links to a referral partner.
How fast is Telstra 5G?
Once you’re up and running on Telstra 5G, you can expect speeds significantly faster than the current 4G network. We’ve personally seen speed test results of more than 3,000Mbps in Sydney using Telstra’s high-frequency mmWave 5G.
If you are within Telstra’s 5G coverage, expect a serious boost in speeds and reduction in lag when using your 5G device. If you’re still waiting on 5G you can still use any of the above devices on Telstra’s fast and efficient 4G and 4GX network, which is available across Australia.
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