Choosing the right internet for you: 5G vs NBN vs Satellite

What are the different ways to connect to the internet?

1. Fixed line networks: With providers like the NBN or Opticomm, this is the most common way Australians connect to the internet at home, often using fibre or copper cables.

2. Mobile broadband: Easily confused with mobile data, this connection uses the same technology as your mobile phone – mobile towers - but to connect the devices in your home instead.  

3. Satellite: Satellite internet uses, you guessed it, satellites in space to beam internet signals to your home.

NBN

The biggest fixed line network provider in Australia, the National Broadband Network (NBN) is the bread and butter of internet connections.  Most internet providers offer an NBN connection and might also include other network providers like Opticomm. For this guide, we’ll just be referring to the NBN.

Generally, the NBN runs to your home through cables in the ground, made of fibre or copper. Some areas instead use a radio tower to beam internet, or even a satellite in very remote areas. We call the different ways NBN connects to houses ‘connection types’.

NBN connection types

While there are a lot of NBN connection types, you only need to worry about what’s available in your home.

To find out what you have, use our address checker. Just type in your address, and it’ll let you know what’s available. Simple!

Here’s a quick summary of each connection type, but you can find out more by clicking here.

Fibre to the Premises (FTTP)

Fibre to the Premises is the fastest and most resilient connection type of all. It can achieve speeds like no other (up to 2000Mbps), and its stability means fewer problems with your internet overall. 

Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC)

Hybrid Fibre Coaxial can get similar speeds to FTTP (2000Mbps maximum), but uses older pay-tv cables in the ground. This means it can be a touch less stable at times, but despite its flaws, it’s still one of the best connections available!

Fibre to the Curb

Fibre to the Curb uses existing copper phone cabling to connect to your house from the curb. Although it has fibre in the name, don’t be fooled! It’s significantly slower than the first 2 connection types (100Mbps maximum), and can be affected by damage to the copper or weather events. However, its speeds are still fine for many people, and NBN is steadily upgrading these older connections to FTTP.

Fibre to the Node/Basement (FTTN/B)

Fibre to the Node/Basement uses copper like FTTC, but instead, runs all the way to a node in the street. This means that it’s similar to FTTC, but is more limited in it’s potential. FTTN/B can technically achieve 100Mbps, but it isn’t always possible due to weak copper connections. The bright side? NBN is upgrading these connections to FTTP too!

Fixed Wireless

Fixed Wireless is NBN's odd-one-out. It uses a tower to beam internet signals to an antenna on your roof. Despite not using underground cabling, it’s no slouch, with speeds up to 400Mbps. But with great wireless-ness, comes great challenges – Fixed Wireless can be affected by weather or congestion on your local tower.

Mobile broadband

Mobile broadband (sometimes called 4G or 5G broadband) uses the same technology as the SIM card in your phone, but to give your whole home internet.

This works by putting a mobile broadband SIM card into a Wi-Fi device, like a router or modem. Mobile towers then beam internet to your device, giving you Wi-Fi throughout your home.

This can get confusing, as it’s all “mobile” everything. Think of it this way:

• For mobile data on your phone, providers will list plans with a phone number as a ‘mobile SIM’ service;

• An internet-only service (without a phone number) will be called ‘mobile broadband’.

There are 2 types of mobile broadband: 4G and 5G. 5G is generally faster, but it isn’t available everywhere, while 4G is slower and more widely available. For more information on the difference, click here.

LEO satellites

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites beam internet to an antenna sitting on the roof of your house.

You usually need to order this service directly from a LEO satellite provider, like Starlink, although internet providers who offer LEO services are becoming more common.

What should I get?

This really depends on what you need.

Which is fastest?

1. Fixed line internet can be very fast, especially if you have the Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) connection type, which is the fastest of all. For comparison, NBN FTTP can go up to 2000Mbps.

   But, older connection types like Fibre to the Node (FTTN) may not be as fast, only reaching up to 100Mbps.

   FTTN connections are being upgraded to faster, more reliable connection types over time. You can check whether your connection type is due for an upgrade by clicking here.

2. 5G mobile broadband can be fast, especially in areas with strong signal. Some plans can go up to 200Mbps or more. However, this is often limited to metropolitan areas and is susceptible to congestion or signal obstruction.

3. LEO satellites are a bit slower than mobile broadband, but speeds are improving over time. Some satellite services now offer speeds of up to 100Mbps or more, which might be faster than home or mobile internet depending on what you have in your area.

Where do they work best?

1. LEO satellites work almost anywhere, even in remote areas where NBN or mobile broadband don’t reach. This makes them best for rural or remote areas that don’t have other options.

2. Fixed line internet like NBN is available in most homes across Australia, but which connection type you can use depends on where you live. Faster connection types like FTTP are more common in larger cities and towns.

3. 5G mobile broadband works best in urban areas, but coverage is growing. 4G mobile broadband already covers most of Australia.

   When looking for mobile broadband plans, it’s best to check the mobile provider’s map on their website to see what they offer near you. For example, you can check the Optus coverage map by clicking here.*

   *5G rolling out in selected areas. Excludes TAS & NT.

How reliable are they?

1. Fixed line internet is the most reliable if you have a newer connection type like FTTP or HFC. Some older connection types can be less predictable.

2. Mobile broadband comes from mobile towers, so it can be affected by buildings, trees, weather, or if lots of people use it at once.

3. LEO satellites can be affected by weather like heavy rain, cloud coverage, or storms.

Are they easy to setup?

1. Mobile broadband uses a SIM card that you put into your internet device like a router, or even directly into a phone or tablet, so you don’t need to do much to setup.

2. Fixed line internet varies based on your connection type, but if it’s already installed, you just need a modem or router to get connected. You can find more information here.

3. LEO satellites need a dish installed outside your home, usually on the roof, which connects to a router in your house.

Tip: Ask your provider if installation is included or if there’s an extra cost.

What about cost and value?

1. Mobile broadband plans are often the cheapest, but it can depend on the plan you select. The prices of mobile broadband plans vary based on how much data you want per month. The more you use the internet, the more data you will need.

2. Fixed line internet prices vary based on speed, but most plans offer unlimited data per month.

3. LEO satellites can cost more, especially for setup. Some LEO satellite providers offer limited data per month (just like mobile broadband), or limited speed.

Final tips

1. Check what’s available where you live so you know what your options are. Use both home internet address checkers, and mobile broadband maps.

2. Think about how much you want to spend.

3. Find out how fast and stable you need your internet to be. For help in choosing the speed that’s right for you, click here.

It’s a big world of internet out there – we hope that this article made it a little smaller!

If you have any questions, you can read the rest of our Aussie’s Guide to the Internet by clicking here.

If you’d like some more expert advice, our friendly team are here to help. You can get in touch by calling 1300 880 905, or through LiveChat on our website.

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