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If you're looking for internet options beyond the NBN for your home or business, a home wireless connection could offer the speeds you're after.
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If you don't have access to the NBN, or simply don't wish to use it, home wireless broadband is an alternative taken up by a vast number of Australians. However, before you purchase your policy, it's worth comparing a range of policy options to see which are available to you. You can do just that with Savvy through our rapid online comparison process which allows you to filter internet plans by price, type, data usage and more. Get the process started through us today!
Home wireless broadband is a type of internet connection available to users across Australia. It’s seen as the most suitable alternative to the National Broadband Network (NBN), as certain plans of this nature are capable of rivalling some of the faster speed tiers available on NBN plans. Currently available for home wireless broadband plans are the 4G and 5G networks on offer in Australia, with some internet service providers (ISPs) also providing 3G network coverage in addition to 4G.
In terms of the way a home wireless broadband connection works, it’s far more straightforward than fixed line internet connections like the NBN. All that’s needed to establish the connection is a modem, which can be provided by your ISP or purchased separately by you.
From this point, the modem provides Wi-Fi to your home or business, so whichever devices support internet connectivity can be linked to your modem. Unlike mobile broadband purchased for portable use, home wireless broadband comes with a router and isn’t designed to be accessed on the move, instead serving solely as an alternative to fixed line connections which is designed to provide access from multiple devices.
There are three main types of home wireless broadband connection that are available to customers in Australia, as stated earlier, with each of these boasting different capabilities. If you’re considering purchasing a home wireless broadband connection, consider which of these will suit your preferences the most effectively:
4G home wireless broadband
Representing a vast improvement on the 3G network, 4G home wireless broadband was the most powerful and fastest wireless broadband network available to Australians prior to the introduction of 5G internet. However, these days, most 4G plans are only capable of reaching download speeds of 20Mbps to 25Mbps, placing it in a similar category to NBN 25 plans, and aren't as widely available to purchase.
The issue with home Wi-Fi plan connections in comparison to some of the more secure fixed line connections like Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) NBN is that speeds are generally more variable. This can be down to the fact that the 4G coverage in your area isn’t quite as strong as in the next suburb, which may be because your home is further away from a network distribution point.
The good news about 4G home internet plans is that they're often the most affordable to purchase. If you only use less than what these caps dictate, you can avoid any worry about data usage over the course of the month. An example of a 4G home wireless plan you may be able to purchase through a provide you can compare through Savvy (if available in your area) includes:
| Provider | Data allowance | Max. download speed | Upfront fees | Cost/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Optus |
Unlimited |
25Mbps |
$0 |
$59 (with first month free) |
Available plans and information correct as of 17 August, 2023.
5G home wireless broadband
The newer and stronger home wireless broadband connection, 5G is more of a direct competitor to the NBN. With providers advertising connections capable of reaching speeds upwards of 200Mbps and even 300Mbps, the download speeds you’re likely to be able to access is closer to an NBN 250 plan. It's also important to note that some plans come with speed caps of 50Mbps and 100Mbps, each of which are generally cheaper than uncapped plans, so you'll need to determine which speeds you need at your home or business.
Again, it’s worth reaching out to your ISP to determine what their average download speed is, both in peak and non-peak hours, to determine the actual speeds you’re likely to receive. Some providers offer a minimum speed guarantee, often of around 50Mbps, for customer satisfaction.
Consider some of the 5G home internet plans available with providers you can compare through Savvy below:
| Provider | Data allowance | Max. download speed | Upfront fees | Cost/month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Optus |
Unlimited |
50Mbps |
$0 |
$69 |
|
Optus |
Unlimited |
100Mbps |
$0 |
$79 |
|
Optus |
Unlimited |
Uncapped (typically 240Mbps) |
$0 |
$89 ($99 after six months) |
Available plans and information correct as of 17 August, 2023.
3G home wireless broadband
As mentioned earlier, 3G internet is no longer offered on its own as an individual service to internet customers in Australia. Instead, it most commonly forms part of the 4G internet service offered by ISPs, usually as a back-up connection should 4G broadband be unable to be reached.
When accessing 3G internet, you’re unlikely to be able to complete activities such as streaming high-definition video content or play online video games, as networks simply won’t be powerful to provide you with a consistently suitable speed. In terms of its speed capabilities, you’ll likely only be able to achieve a download speed of around 10Mbps and perform at a similar level to an NBN 12 or ADSL fixed line connection.
There are a variety of ways that you can look to reduce the overall cost of your home wireless broadband. What you’ll end up paying for your plan will be dictated by several key factors, which you can look to optimise to reduce your internet bill. Consider some, or all, of the following avenues:
Lower your internet speed
Setting your sights lower in terms of speeds can help you save quite a bit of money on your plan. For instance, if you had access to both 4G and 5G networks at your home, you’re likely to save at least $10 per month ($120 per year) by opting for a 4G plan rather than a 5G one. You could also save money by opting for a 5G plan with a speed cap, with those maxing out at 50Mbps and 100Mbps generally cheaper than uncapped speeds.
Reduce your data cap
Similarly, people’s needs when it comes to monthly data usage will differ but opting for a stricter data cap can cut the cost of your wireless broadband plan. It’s important to be aware of how much data you use on a monthly basis, as it can be easy to overpay and oversupply with broadband plans. However, it's worth noting that most home wireless plans in the market today come with unlimited data, so this may not always be an option.
Go for a contract broadband plan
It might sound interesting to advertise a lock-in contract, but the reality is that they can actually save you money on your home wireless broadband plan. This is because the upfront fees charged on plans without a contract term will often be waived for a 12 to 24-month contract, as your ISP doesn’t have to worry about not recouping the cost of their modem during your plan term. It's worth noting that most plans don't come with a contract term, though.
Always look out for great internet deals
One of the benefits of not signing onto a contract for your internet plan is that you’re afforded the ability to actively scour the market for great home wireless broadband deals. It’s important to never be complacent when it comes to internet, as there’ll always be great deals available. Staying with the same broadband provider might end up being the best option for your personal situation, whether that be to do with the price, data, speed or any other factors, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep searching.
Avoid plans packaged with unnecessary features
You’ll find that many broadband plans come with additional features that are built into the deal, such as entertainment packages. While these may be useful to you, they add onto your monthly broadband spend, in some cases representing a significant additional outlay. When shopping for broadband plans, always consider whether the bundle is worth it for you.
Compare your options with Savvy
Savvy is a great place to start when comparing the top internet offers on the market. Having a base-level understanding of what each ISP and plan can offer you is crucial knowledge when searching for the best broadband deals available where you live. We can help streamline the process of finding the right plan to suit your needs and help you get value for money on your deal.
There are several reasons as to why someone might wish to purchase a home wireless broadband plan ahead of others like a fixed line NBN connection. Consider some of these factors when searching for the best home wireless broadband plan to suit your needs, as you may find that you fall into one or more of these categories.
Your area doesn’t support fixed line NBN
Not all NBN connection types are available to everyone in Australia, with access to the network particularly limited for those living and working in rural areas. In cases like these, a home wireless broadband plan may be one of few viable options. Whilst there are NBN connection types which cater to people who live in areas unable to access fixed line internet, namely Fixed Wireless and Sky Muster Satellite, you may still wish to
You’re renting your home and/or you move around a lot
If you’re a tenant in a rental property, you don’t really have much control over permanent installations in your home. As a result of this, you may be at the behest of your landlord when it comes to whether it’s possible to install a fixed line internet connection. Home wireless connections are the simple solution to this, as broadband can be purchased without any need for installation. Similarly, if you don’t tend to stick to one location for long periods, you can take your home wireless connection with you from place to place. This obviously isn’t possible with a fixed line broadband connection.
You don’t want to install the NBN
The NBN isn’t a compulsory connection that you have to purchase wherever you are in Australia. You’re well within your rights to not want to take out a plan, whether that be because you want to avoid hefty installation costs or because your location wouldn’t allow you to make the most of higher speed tiers. Home wireless broadband, particularly 5G, is an alternative to fixed line connections.
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The speed at which your internet is to be delivered is an important factor to consider between ISPs. If you’re working from home or enjoy streaming and/or online gaming, you’re likely to want a faster internet connection than someone who only occasionally checks their emails and scrolls through Facebook. Weigh up what you need the internet for and how important the speed is to you when comparing plans.
The data that you’re afforded on your home wireless broadband is likely to play a major role in informing your ultimate decision on which provider you choose. While most plans come with unlimited data, this may not always be the case. Because of this, it’s important to not buy more data than you need where possible, so assess your monthly usage to see what’s right for you.
Comparing the cost of home wireless broadband plans is self-explanatory, as it’s a simple black-and-white comparison. However, what you'll have to consider is any introductory offers on broadband plans, specifically how long they last and what price they revert to upon the completion of the introductory period. Some plans will start low and stay low, while others could rise significantly after this period.
Whether your plan involves a contract as part of the deal is another relevant consideration. You may not want to lock yourself into a home wireless broadband plan for one to two years before having tried it out, or simply because you want to afford yourself the freedom to move onto a cheaper and better plan whenever you like. Conversely, saving yourself the hassle of organising your internet month-to-month might be an incentive to sign a contract.
Upfront costs can set you back anywhere between $10 and $300, while you may not be charged anything at all. Because of this, it’s important to have a handle on what you’re likely to be charged at the outset of your internet plan. If it’s only an insignificant amount, it may not factor heavily in your thinking, but fees venturing into triple figures might provide you with a greater motivation to compare with other cheaper options.
All you have to do is take your modem out of the box and plug it into your wall to activate your home or business internet, saving on time and money spent on complicated installations.
The fact that it’s a plug in and unplug broadband connection means that you can take it with you if you’re moving or travelling to another location.
Fixed line broadband connections aren’t always achievable, so home wireless broadband serves as an alternative for those living in areas where this is the case.
Although plans themselves may be cheaper, you may end up paying more for the internet you use under a home wireless broadband plan than a fixed line one.
If you don’t have a strong mobile signal at your home or work, which can be the case in rural areas, you may find that your internet isn’t as fast as you thought it would be.
Disclaimer:
Savvy is partnered with Econnex Comparison (CIMET Sales Pty Ltd, ABN 72 620 395 726) to provide readers with a variety of internet plans to compare. We do not compare all retailers in the market, or all plans offered by all retailers. Savvy earns a commission from Econnex each time a customer buys an internet plan via our website. We don’t arrange for products to be purchased directly, as all purchases are conducted via Econnex.
Any advice presented above is general in nature and doesn’t consider your personal or business objectives, needs or finances. It’s always important to consider whether advice is suitable for you before purchasing an internet plan. For further information on the variety of internet plans compared by Econnex, or how their business works, you can visit their website.
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