Compare Top 3 Internet Plans
The Comparison Prices Listed are Based on NBN50 Plans
Silver Plan
$58.90 / Month For First 3 Months
Sign Up for Kogan
Value Plus Plan
$59.90 / Month For First 6 Months
Sign Up for Tangerine
NBN 50 Plan
$65.00 / Month For First 6 Months
Sign Up for Dodo
5G is rolling out across Australia, and the globe. As the newest iteration of the mobile network, 5G is expected to transform the lives of billions of people around the world with its faster-than-ever download speeds and reduced latency. But what is 5G and how different is it from the current 4G network? What can this new technology do? To learn more about the present, and future, of 5G in Australia, continue to read below.
5G (Fifth Generation) is the latest iteration of wireless communication technology for mobile data networks. Like previous generations, including 2G, 3G, and the current 4G mobile network, 5G is a way for our phones and other mobile devices to communicate and connect, just faster than ever before.
5G operates in the same way as previous wireless communications systems, but with higher radio frequencies. These higher frequencies, known as âmillimeter wavesâ (mm waves), carry information at a much faster rate than older systems. Because of this, the 5G network will enjoy not only faster download speeds but reduced latency (or faster response times) opening up the 5G network to a whole new world of potential applications.
5G is more than just faster download speeds on our phones. With low latency, fast download speeds, and reduced slowdowns during peak usage, 5G has the potential to improve many different parts of our lives in ways the average person might not even notice such as the creation and improvement of smart infrastructure in cities, improved production in factories, and more efficient energy systems as we transition to renewable energy sources.
However, 5G has many ways to directly impact and improve our lives, in really cool and interesting ways, such as:
Upgraded mobile service: This is what most people will notice when they connect to the 5G mobile network. Near-instant downloads, HD streaming, improved mobile gaming experience, and broadband-level network connection from anywhere on your phone with the 5G network.
Fixed-wireless broadband: If you donât want to connect to the National Broadband Network, 5G home wireless broadband is the newest alternative to the NBN. With home wireless broadband you can connect your home to the internet using the mobile network and now with 5G home wireless broadband those speeds are comparable, and indeed oftentimes better, than traditional wired broadband.
Self-driving vehicles: With 5G, self-driving vehicles will be able to connect and gather data at real-time speeds while communicating and cooperating with each other for safer autonomous driving.
VR, and AR: With improved speeds and reduced latency, virtual reality and augmented reality can both expect to see a rise in popularity with the rollout of 5G and as the technology needed for the headsets becomes cheaper.
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In Australia, all mobile phones are connected to one of three mobile networks, with all other telcos purchasing access to parts of these networks. The three mobile network owners and operators in Australia are:
The 5G network is no different, with each mobile network operator rolling out 5G on their networks in their own time. Currently, if you want to sign up for any plan connected to the 5G network, you will need to do it through either Optus, Vodafone, or Telstra, or either SpinTel or AussieBroadband on the Optus 5G network.
Telstra is Australiaâs largest network and has been busy at work to make sure the Telstra 5G network is the same. Currently, the Telstra 5G network covers 75% of the Australian population, across 2,700 suburbs and 200 cities and towns, and is the only 5G network available in parts of Tasmania.
The Optus 5G network is currently being rolled out across the country, already covering more than 700,000 homes in almost all major cities and urban areas. Unlike Telstra and Vodafone, Optus not only offers mobile phone plans but was also the first to offer 5G home wireless broadband for residential homes. Optus is also the first network to offer its 5G network to MVNOs and both SpinTel and Aussie Broadband, the only MVNOs to offer 5G network access, do so on the Optus Network.
The Vodafone 5G network is the newest, and smallest, 5G network in Australia and has only been switched on since March 2021. While not as expansive as Telstra and Optus, the Vodafone 5G network is rolling out in a targeted approach with the goal of covering 85% of Australiaâs six most populous cities - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and Canberra.
With so much evolution still happening on the 5G network, as itâs rolled out across the country and the technology continues to change and adapt, itâs still unclear just how fast 5G is, on average. What we do know is that 5G is really, really fast and many factors can influence how fast it is for you such as location and which network youâre connected to.
| Mobile Network | Average Download Speeds (June 2021) |
|---|---|
| 4G (all networks) | 20Mbps-100Mbps |
| Telstra 5G | 509Mbps |
| Optus 5G | 484Mbps |
| Vodafone 5G | 241Mbps |
Source: WhistleOut June 2024 - 5G Speed in Australia
For comparison, old ADSL speeds could reach between 12Mbps and 25Mbps while the National Broadband Network and HFC, which covers most of Australia, only recently rolled out broadband plans with maximum potential speeds above 250Mbps. Most typical NBN plans offer maximum potential speeds between 12Mbps and 100Mbps.
If you have a 5G-enabled handset or device, youâll probably want to consider which 5G mobile phone plans are available, and available to you. Before signing up for any 5G mobile plan, itâs always best to check your home address (and possibly work, school, or other places you frequent) to ensure youâre able to get a 5G connection in your area. Below you can find the 5G mobile phone plans available in Australia, by each 5G mobile phone carrier.
Aussie Broadband has five 5G mobile phone plans on the Optus 5G network. Plans start at $25 per month for 20GB of data, and all plans are no lock-in contract, with unlimited standard national calls and text and international call credits.
| Data Allowance | Cost / Month | Plan Features |
|---|---|---|
| 20GB of data | $25 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text |
| 40GB of data | $35 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text $50 Basic IDD credits |
| 100GB of data | $500 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text $300 Basic IDD credits |
| 120GB of data | $60 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text $200 Basic IDD credits |
| 220GB of data | $70 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text $500 Basic IDD credits |
Source: Providersâ website. Valid March 2025. Comparison does not include all plans, features, or discounts and is subject to change.
Optus has 5G network access available on all of its SIM-only mobile phone plans. Plans start at $52 per month for the Small Optus Choice Plan with 50GB of data, and all Optus 5G mobile plans come with no excess data charges and national talk and text.
| Data Allowance | Cost / Month | Plan Features |
|---|---|---|
| Small Optus Choice 50GB of data | $52 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text Endless data at 1.5Mbps Data sharing |
| Medium Optus Choice 180GB of data | $62 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text Unlimited standard international talk & text to 35 countries Endless data at 1.5Mbps Data sharing |
| Promo Plan 360GB of data | $69 / month for 12 months | Unlimited standard talk & text Unlimited standard international talk & text to 35 countries Endless data at 1.5Mbps Data sharing |
| Large Optus Choice 360GB of data | $82 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text Unlimited standard international talk & text to 35 countries Endless data at 1.5Mbps Data sharing |
Source: Providersâ website. Valid March 2025. Comparison does not include all plans, features, or discounts and is subject to change.
SpinTel has four 5G mobile phone plans available on the Optus 5G network. Choose between either a modest 25 GB of data per month, or a whopping 200GB of data per month, and get unlimited standard national talk and text, plus no lock-in contract.
| Data Allowance | Cost / Month | Plan Features |
|---|---|---|
| 25GB of data | $14 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text |
| 50GB of data | $29 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text |
| 100GB of data | $35 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text |
| 200GB of data | $50 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text |
Source: Providersâ website. Valid March 2025.
Telstraâs three 5G phone plans all come on a no lock-in contract and have unlimited standard national talk & text, international minutes, unlimited international texting, data sharing, and endless data at 1.5Mbps with no excess data usage charges.
| Data Allowance | Cost / Month | Plan Features |
|---|---|---|
| Telstra Basic 50GB of data | $65 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text Data sharing Endless data at 1.5Mbps 30 international minutes Unlimited international text |
| Telstra Essential 180GB of data | $75 / month | Unlimited standard talk & text Data sharing Endless data at 1.5Mbps 30 international minutes Unlimited international text |
| Telstra Premium 300GB of data | $79 / month for 12 months $99 / month after | Unlimited standard talk & text Data sharing Endless data at 1.5Mbps 30 international minutes Unlimited international text |
Source: Providersâ website. Valid March 2025. Comparison does not include all plans, features, or discounts and is subject to change.
All Vodafone SIM-only plans have access to the Vodafone 5G network. Plans start at $40 / month, and all plans include unlimited standard national talk and text, as well as infinite data at reduced speeds, and some international inclusions.
| Data Allowance | Cost / Month | Plan Features |
|---|---|---|
| Small Plan 100GB of data | $39 / month for 12 months $49 / month after | Unlimited standard talk & text Unlimited international texts |
| Medium Plan 360GB of data | $49 / month for 12 months $59 / month after | Unlimited standard talk & text Unlimited international texts 100 international minutes |
| Large Plan 720GB of data | $59 / month for 12 months $69 / month after | Unlimited standard talk & text Unlimited international texts 100 international minutes |
Source: Providersâ website. Valid March 2025. Comparison does not include all plans, features, or discounts and is subject to change.
5G and Landlines Currently, most 5G home broadband plans don't support home phone services. If you want to keep a landline, it's best to consider an NBN plan instead.
Looking for a New Internet Plan for Your Home?
Selectra Can Provide Advice & Help You Find The Best Plan
Selectra Can Provide Advice & Help You Find The Best Plan
5G has been in Australia since its global rollout in 2019 and has continued to expand across the country in the years following. As of June 2021, the Telstra 5G network reports having reached 75% of Australian homes and the Vodafone 5G network hopes to cover 85% of the most populous Australian cities.
Like with any new technology, the 5G mobile network is not without controversy and misinformation. However, there is no scientific evidence that 5G is harmful. According to the Australian Government Department of Health on 24 January 2020,
There is no evidence telecommunication technologies, such as 5G, cause adverse health impacts. This position is supported by health authorities in Australia â such as the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) â and around the world, such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
Mobile phone networks and other wireless telecommunications (such as smart meters for your energy usage) emit low-powered radio waves also known as radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME). RF EME has been the subject of controversy over the years, with people claiming health issues as a result of exposure. Despite these claims, there is no scientific evidence to support the idea that the 5G network or RF EME poses any sort of health risk to people.
If you want to connect to the 5G network, there are a few steps you need to take.
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