Home internet options in Australia seemed straightforward until I moved into my first share house in Footscray and discovered the NBN connection was slower than the 4G on my phone. The landlord insisted it was “high-speed internet included,” but streaming lectures at 720p was a gamble, and video calls home kept freezing mid-conversation.
Three years and three different living situations later, I’ve dealt with NBN installations that took six weeks, tried 5G home internet that worked brilliantly until peak hours, and relied on mobile broadband hotspots when everything else failed. Each option has specific situations where it makes sense and others where it’s completely wrong.
Most international students arriving in Australia don’t realise there are actually three distinct ways to get internet at home now. The choice you make affects your study quality, entertainment options, and monthly budget significantly. Here’s everything I’ve learned about home internet options in Australia through trial, error, and way too many frustrating Zoom calls with pixelated video.
Understanding NBN (National Broadband Network)
NBN is the fixed-line internet network that covers most of Australia. It’s what landlords usually mean when they say “internet available” in rental ads. The confusing part is NBN isn’t one technology but rather six different connection types, and you don’t get to choose which one your address has.
When I first looked up my Footscray address on the NBN website, it said FTTN (Fibre to the Node). I had no idea what that meant. Turns out it’s one of the slower NBN technologies because the fibre cable stops at a junction box down the street, then old copper phone lines run to your house. The copper bit kills the speed.
The six NBN connection types:
FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) is the gold standard. Fibre cable runs directly to your house, giving you the fastest and most reliable speeds. If your address has this, you’re lucky.
HFC (Hybrid Fibre Coaxial) uses the old pay TV cables and performs nearly as well as FTTP for most purposes. Common in areas that had Foxtel or Optus cable.
FTTN (Fibre to the Node) and FTTC (Fibre to the Curb) both use copper for the final connection to your house, which limits speed based on distance from the node. This is what I had in Footscray and it was frustratingly average.
Fixed Wireless is used in some regional areas where laying cables isn’t practical. Speed can vary based on weather and how many people are using the same tower.
Sky Muster Satellite is for very remote locations. High latency makes video calls difficult, but it’s better than nothing for rural areas.
You can check your NBN technology type on the NBN Co website before moving somewhere. I learned to do this after the Footscray experience. When I moved to Carlton, I specifically looked for HFC or FTTP addresses, which made a huge difference to my internet quality.
NBN Speed Tiers Explained
NBN providers sell plans in speed tiers ranging from painfully slow to unnecessarily fast. The tier you choose depends on how many people are sharing the connection and what you’re doing online. Here’s what actually matters for students:
NBN 12 (12 Mbps download, 1 Mbps upload) is basically unusable for anything beyond checking email. If a landlord offers this as “included internet,” negotiate for something better or budget for your own connection.
NBN 25 (25 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload) works for one person doing basic streaming and study. I wouldn’t recommend it for share houses or if you attend a lot of online classes. The upload speed is too low for decent video calls.
NBN 50 (50 Mbps download, 17 Mbps upload) is the sweet spot for most students. It handles streaming, video calls, downloading course materials, and casual gaming without issues. This is what I use now in my current place shared with two other people.
NBN 100 (100 Mbps download, 20 Mbps upload) makes sense for houses with 4-5 people all using internet heavily. If everyone’s on Zoom calls during class hours or you’ve got serious gamers in the house, the extra speed prevents congestion.
NBN 250 and NBN 1000 are overkill for students unless you’re running servers or have very specific technical needs. The price jump isn’t worth it for typical student usage.
The frustrating reality is your actual speed depends on both the tier you pay for AND the NBN technology at your address. I paid for NBN 50 in Footscray with FTTN and got maybe 35-40 Mbps consistently. Now on HFC in Carlton with the same NBN 50 plan, I get the full 50 Mbps no problem.
NBN Costs and Provider Differences
NBN plans from different providers all use the same NBN infrastructure, so you’re choosing based on price, customer service, and any extra features. I’ve tried three different providers over the years and they’ve all delivered roughly the same speed for the same tier.
Current NBN 50 pricing (as of mid-2025):
- Budget providers (Tangerine, Superloop, Spintel): $65-75 per month
- Mid-range providers (Aussie Broadband, Belong): $75-85 per month
- Major telcos (Telstra, Optus, TPG): $80-95 per month
NBN 100 typically costs $85-110 per month depending on provider. The cheaper providers are fine for most students. I’m using Aussie Broadband now because their customer service is decent and they don’t lock you into contracts, but I’ve had friends happy with cheaper options too.
Almost all NBN plans are unlimited data these days. If someone’s offering a capped NBN plan, avoid it. You’ll blow through the cap in a week of normal student usage between streaming, video calls, and downloading lecture recordings.
Setup costs vary by provider. Some charge $99-150 for installation and modem, others include it free if you commit to 12 months. I’ve always gone with no-contract options that cost a bit more upfront but give flexibility when I move houses, which happens frequently as a student.
One thing I wish I’d known earlier: check if internet is included in your rent before signing up for your own plan. Some share houses split one NBN connection between everyone. Others expect each person to get their own. I paid for NBN for two months while the house already had a connection because I didn’t ask. Expensive mistake.
For context on how internet fits into overall living costs, my monthly budget breakdown for Melbourne shows typical expenses including internet.
What Is 5G Home Internet?
5G home internet is the newer option that’s become genuinely competitive with NBN in the last few years. Instead of cables to your house, you get a special modem that connects to 5G mobile towers. Plug it in, wait for it to connect, and you’ve got internet. No technician visits or installation appointments.
I tried 5G home internet for six months when living in Brunswick and was honestly impressed by how well it worked. Speeds were consistently 200-300 Mbps, way faster than the NBN 50 I could get at that address. Setup was literally plug and play.
The catch is coverage and consistency. 5G performance depends entirely on how close you are to a tower and how many other people are using it. During COVID lockdowns when everyone was home, my speeds would drop to 50-80 Mbps during peak hours (5-10pm). Still usable, but the variation was noticeable.
Major providers offering 5G home internet:
- Telstra 5G Home Internet: $85-95 per month, best coverage
- Optus 5G Home Broadband: $75-85 per month, good in cities
- Vodafone 5G Home: $65-75 per month, cheapest but spottier coverage
- TPG/iiNet using Vodafone 5G: $70-80 per month
Most 5G home plans are no-contract, unlimited data, and include the modem. You can often cancel with 30 days notice, which is perfect for students who move frequently.
Gaming on 5G is hit-or-miss. Latency is generally higher than wired NBN, which matters for competitive online gaming. If you’re just playing casually or single-player stuff, it’s fine. My flatmate who plays League of Legends seriously switched back to NBN because the ping variance on 5G frustrated him.
The portability is brilliant though. When I moved from Brunswick to Carlton, I just unplugged the 5G modem, took it to the new place, and it worked immediately. No waiting for NBN installation or dealing with connection transfers.
5G Coverage and Real-World Performance
Before getting 5G home internet, you absolutely must check coverage in your specific area. The provider websites have coverage maps, but they’re often optimistic. Better to ask neighbours or test with your phone first if it supports 5G.
Melbourne has solid 5G coverage in:
- CBD and inner suburbs (Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Northcote)
- Major university areas (Parkville, Clayton, Bundoora)
- Most of the middle-ring suburbs
Coverage gets patchy in:
- Outer suburbs beyond 20km from CBD
- Areas with lots of tall buildings blocking signals
- Some pockets even in inner suburbs due to geography
I learned this checking 5G availability when helping friends set up internet. One mate in Bundoora near La Trobe had excellent 5G. Another in Sunshine West had technically coverage but speeds were barely better than 4G because of distance from towers.
Real speeds I’ve seen:
- Brunswick (2km from CBD): 180-350 Mbps most times, dropping to 60-100 Mbps at 7-9pm
- Carlton (near uni): 220-400 Mbps consistently, peak hour slowdown to 100-150 Mbps
- Footscray (friend’s place): 80-180 Mbps, quite variable throughout the day
Upload speeds on 5G home internet typically sit around 20-50 Mbps, which is better than most NBN plans except the very top tiers. Good for uploading assignment videos or video calling home.
If you’re considering 5G for a specific Melbourne suburb, check coverage maps for that exact area before committing.
Mobile Broadband: When It Makes Sense
Mobile broadband is basically a data-only SIM card you put in a portable WiFi device, tablet, or router. It’s the same technology as your phone’s data connection, just packaged differently. I’ve used this as a backup and when travelling, but it’s rarely the best option for your main home internet.
When mobile broadband actually works:
You move houses constantly and can’t be bothered with NBN installations. I know students who change share houses every 3-4 months chasing cheaper rent. For them, a portable hotspot makes more sense than setting up NBN repeatedly.
You’re in a place temporarily. When I had a two-month sublease between moving out of one house and into another, I just used mobile broadband. No point getting NBN for eight weeks.
You need internet while travelling around Australia. Pocket WiFi devices let you work from cafes, parks, or wherever you are. Useful for road trips or if you’re doing fieldwork for your course.
Your main internet fails and you need backup. I kept a cheap mobile broadband plan as backup when my NBN went down for four days once. Being able to hotspot for urgent coursework was worth the $30 monthly cost.
When mobile broadband doesn’t work:
As your main internet in a share house. Data caps make it impractical when multiple people are streaming and downloading. Even “unlimited” mobile broadband plans throttle speed after 100-200GB typically.
For heavy usage like gaming or constant video streaming. The data caps run out fast. I’ve seen students burn through 100GB in a week during exam period just from streaming study videos.
When you need stable, predictable speeds. Mobile broadband fluctuates more than fixed connections. Fine for web browsing, frustrating for video calls where connection quality matters.
Typical mobile broadband costs:
- 50GB data: $25-35 per month
- 100GB data: $35-45 per month
- 200GB data: $45-60 per month
- “Unlimited” (throttled after cap): $60-80 per month
Compare that to unlimited NBN 50 at $70-80 monthly and mobile broadband rarely makes financial sense as primary internet unless you genuinely need the portability.
Comparing Costs Across All Three Options
Let me break down what you’ll actually pay for each type of internet over a year, because the monthly costs can be deceptive when you factor in setup fees and equipment.
NBN 50 (most common student choice):
- Monthly plan: $70-85
- Setup/modem: $0-150 (one-time)
- Annual cost: $840-1,020 first year, $840-1,020 ongoing
NBN 100 (share house with 4+ people):
- Monthly plan: $85-110
- Setup/modem: $0-150 (one-time)
- Annual cost: $1,020-1,320 first year, $1,020-1,320 ongoing
5G Home Internet:
- Monthly plan: $65-95
- Modem: Usually included
- Annual cost: $780-1,140
- Benefit: No setup fees, portable between houses
Mobile Broadband (100GB plan):
- Monthly plan: $35-45
- Device: $50-200 for pocket WiFi (one-time)
- Annual cost: $470-740
- Limitation: Data caps make it unsuitable as primary internet
The cheapest option depends on your situation. Living alone in an area with good 5G? That’s probably your best value. Share house with fast NBN available? Split NBN 100 between four people costs $25-30 each monthly, cheaper than any individual 5G or mobile plan.
I’m currently paying $80 monthly for NBN 50 split three ways in Carlton, which comes to roughly $27 per person. That’s cheaper than the equivalent 5G plan and more reliable for our usage patterns. When I lived alone in Brunswick, 5G at $75 monthly made more sense than NBN at $80 because setup was instant.
My guide on sharing internet with flatmates covers how to split costs fairly and avoid arguments about usage.
Which Option for Share Houses vs Solo Living
Share houses (3-5 people):
NBN 100 split between everyone is usually the best value. Costs $20-30 per person monthly, everyone gets stable internet, and you’re not dealing with peak-hour congestion issues that affect 5G. Make sure your NBN connection type is decent though. FTTN with five people gaming simultaneously will struggle.
Assign one person as the “internet person” who deals with the provider and collects money from everyone else. I’ve done this role twice and it’s not terrible if you set up automatic payments. Just make sure everyone pays on time or shut off the WiFi password until they do.
Studios or living alone:
5G home internet wins if coverage is good in your area. No contract flexibility means you can cancel when moving with minimal fuss. Setup is instant, speeds are usually excellent, and the monthly cost is competitive with solo NBN plans.
If your address has FTTP or HFC NBN available, that’s also a solid choice. Slightly more hassle to set up but potentially more stable than 5G during peak hours. I’d check what NBN type is available and what 5G speeds are like before deciding.
Couples or two people:
Either NBN 50 split between you or individual 5G plans work. We went with NBN 50 because my partner games seriously and wanted the lower latency. If neither of you game competitively, 5G’s higher speeds might be better value.
Some couples get individual 5G plans each so they’re not locked into joint bills or dealing with one person moving out. Makes sense if the relationship is new or you want financial independence.
Regional areas or outer suburbs:
NBN is probably your only real option unless you’re lucky enough to have 5G tower coverage. Mobile broadband works as backup but isn’t practical as primary internet in areas where NBN might already be slower Fixed Wireless or Satellite connections.
Check the NBN technology available at your address carefully. If it’s Satellite or Fixed Wireless with poor speeds, look into whether Starlink or other alternatives are available, though they’re typically expensive for students.
Setup Process for Each Option
Setting up NBN was more painful than expected the first time I did it. Here’s the realistic timeline:
Check your address on the NBN website to see if it’s serviceable and what technology type is available. Some addresses, especially in older buildings or new developments, might not have NBN ready yet.
Choose a provider and plan based on speed tier you need. Most providers let you sign up online. If you want no-contract options, expect to pay upfront for modem and activation.
Wait for installation if needed. This can take 1-6 weeks depending on whether the previous tenant had NBN active or if a technician needs to visit. I waited four weeks in Footscray because the connection hadn’t been activated previously.
Set up the modem when it arrives or the technician installs it. Modern NBN modems are plug-and-play mostly. Connect to power, plug in the NBN cable, wait for lights to turn green, connect your devices to WiFi.
Setting up 5G home internet is ridiculously simple by comparison:
Check coverage at your address on the provider’s website. Don’t trust the maps blindly, but they give you a rough idea.
Order online or pick up modem from a shop. Most providers ship the modem within 2-3 business days.
Plug it in when it arrives. SIM card is usually pre-installed. Power on, wait 2-5 minutes for it to connect to the network, join the WiFi from your device. Done.
I had 5G internet working literally 15 minutes after opening the box. The simplicity is a huge selling point if you’ve just moved and need internet immediately for coursework.
Setting up mobile broadband:
Buy a pocket WiFi device if you don’t have one. Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone sell them for $50-200. Sometimes on sale at JB Hi-Fi or electronics shops.
Get a data-only SIM card from your chosen provider. Some providers sell the device and SIM together as a kit.
Insert SIM, power on device, connect to the WiFi it broadcasts. Usually works out of the box. Battery lasts 4-8 hours depending on usage.
The portability is brilliant for students who study in different locations, but remembering to charge yet another device gets annoying quickly.
Common Mistakes Students Make
Not checking NBN technology before moving is the biggest one I see repeatedly. Friends complain about slow internet after signing a lease, then discover their address has FTTN or Fixed Wireless that can’t deliver the speeds they need. Five minutes on the NBN website before signing would’ve saved months of frustration.
Paying for faster speeds than the address can deliver wastes money. If your NBN connection type is FTTN and you’re far from the node, paying for NBN 100 is pointless because the copper line can only deliver 60-70 Mbps maximum. Stick with NBN 50 and save $15-20 monthly.
Getting locked into long contracts removes flexibility when you might move houses multiple times during your degree. I’ve seen students stuck paying for internet at an old house because breaking the contract cost more than just riding it out. No-contract plans cost a bit more but the flexibility is worth it.
Choosing 5G in areas with poor coverage based on promotional materials showing perfect speeds. The reality is 5G performance varies dramatically by location. Test coverage with your phone if possible, or ask neighbours what their experience is like.
Not setting up proper router security leaves your internet open to neighbours or random people using your bandwidth. Change the default WiFi password immediately, use WPA3 encryption if available, and don’t use something obvious like “password123.”
Forgetting to account for peak hour slowdowns when choosing internet. 5G and even NBN can slow during 6-10pm when everyone’s streaming. If you do most of your study and entertainment during evening hours, this matters more than headline speeds.
My article on avoiding bill shock with internet plans covers other financial traps to watch for.
Gaming, Streaming, and Video Calls: What Works
For serious gaming where latency matters (competitive FPS, MOBA, MMO), NBN with FTTP or HFC connection gives the most consistent ping times. I’ve tested this extensively with friends who game. 5G works for casual gaming but the latency variance frustrates competitive players.
NBN 50 is plenty fast for gaming. The ping matters more than the speed for most games. An NBN 50 connection with 15ms ping beats NBN 100 with 40ms ping for gaming experience.
For streaming Netflix, YouTube, or whatever, both NBN and 5G work fine at NBN 50 equivalent speeds or higher. You need roughly 25 Mbps for 4K streaming, so even slower connections handle HD without buffering.
The issue in share houses is simultaneous usage. Four people all streaming different things at dinner time needs NBN 100 to avoid quality drops. I’ve lived this scenario and NBN 50 struggled when everyone was online.
For video calls home using Zoom, WhatsApp, or whatever app your family uses, you need consistent 5-10 Mbps upload speed. Most NBN plans provide this comfortably. 5G usually has better upload speeds (20-50 Mbps) than NBN 50 (17 Mbps), which can make video quality noticeably better.
I do weekly video calls to Bangladesh and the upload speed matters more than download for that specific use. When I was on FTTN NBN with poor upload speeds, the video was choppy on their end. 5G fixed that problem completely.
For downloading course materials, lectures, and assignments, having higher speeds saves time but isn’t critical. A 500MB lecture recording downloads in 80 seconds on NBN 50 versus 16 seconds on NBN 250. Unless you’re constantly downloading huge files, the speed difference doesn’t affect daily student life much.
Provider Recommendations Based on Experience
I’m not sponsored by anyone, so these are just my honest takes after using different providers or hearing detailed feedback from friends.
Aussie Broadband has been my best NBN experience. Customer service actually picks up when you call, speeds are consistent, and they’re transparent about network congestion. Costs a bit more than budget providers but worth it when something breaks.
Belong (owned by Telstra) gives good value NBN with no-contract options. Uses Telstra infrastructure so you get decent speeds without paying Telstra premium prices. I recommend this for students wanting reliable NBN without long commitments.
Telstra 5G Home is expensive but has the best 5G coverage nationally. If you’re in regional areas or outer suburbs where 5G is available, Telstra’s network reaches further than Optus or Vodafone. Not worth the premium in metro areas though.
Optus 5G Home sits in the middle for price and performance. Coverage is solid in major cities, speeds are competitive, and the plans are simpler than Telstra’s. I used this in Brunswick and had zero complaints.
Vodafone 5G Home is cheapest but coverage is the most limited. Great if you’re in their strong coverage areas, frustrating if you’re on the edge. Check coverage very carefully before committing.
Budget NBN providers like Tangerine, Spintel, and Superloop are fine if you want the absolute cheapest option and don’t need hand-holding with customer service. Speeds are identical to expensive providers, you just get less support when things break.
For broader comparison of internet providers, my guide on student deals for phone and internet lists current promotions worth checking.
What I Use Now and Why
I’m currently on Aussie Broadband NBN 50 in Carlton shared between three people. We each pay roughly $27 monthly, which is cheaper than individual 5G plans and more stable than any mobile broadband option.
Our address has HFC connection, so we actually get the full 50 Mbps consistently. I checked this specifically when viewing the house because my previous FTTN experience in Footscray taught me that NBN technology type matters as much as the plan speed.
During semester breaks when I’m the only one home, I’ve occasionally thought about switching to 5G to save money. But the hassle of changing everything and the fact that Carlton has slightly patchy 5G coverage on some streets keeps me on NBN.
If I was living alone or with just one other person, I’d probably use 5G home internet. The setup simplicity and no-contract flexibility fits student life better than NBN’s installation process and potential lock-ins.
If I was in a bigger share house of 5-6 people, I’d push for NBN 100 minimum. The extra bandwidth makes peak hour usage much smoother, and split six ways it’s only $15-20 per person monthly.
If I was studying regionally or in outer suburbs, I’d check NBN technology type first and go with that unless it’s genuinely terrible. 5G coverage drops off quickly outside capital cities, so NBN becomes the default even if speeds aren’t amazing.
Understanding Bills and Usage Monitoring
Most NBN and 5G providers give you online account access where you can track usage. This matters less now that unlimited plans are standard, but it’s useful for seeing speed performance and identifying issues.
I check my internet stats monthly to verify:
- We’re actually getting the speed we pay for (usually yes, occasionally drops for network maintenance)
- Peak hour performance hasn’t degraded significantly (HFC handles this well)
- No weird outages or connection drops I didn’t notice
If speeds consistently underperform, contacting the provider sometimes gets results. Aussie Broadband improved my connection after I logged multiple speed tests showing poor performance during peak hours. They adjusted something on their end and it fixed the issue.
Mobile broadband requires closer monitoring because of data caps. Most pocket WiFi devices have apps that show remaining data. Check this regularly if you’re relying on mobile broadband as primary internet, because exceeding caps leads to speed throttling or extra charges.
I set data usage alerts on my phone to warn me at 75% and 90% of the cap when I was using mobile broadband temporarily. Prevented any nasty surprises from unexpected background downloads or app updates.
For overall budget tracking including internet costs, my how much money you need per month guide shows where internet sits among other expenses.
Dealing with Outages and Technical Issues
Every internet type goes down occasionally. NBN outages happen during storms or when kangaroos chew through cables in regional areas (yes, really). 5G drops during tower maintenance or severe weather. Mobile broadband becomes unusable during network congestion events.
My backup strategy is keeping a small mobile data allowance on my phone plan specifically for internet emergencies. When NBN went down for four days after a car hit a junction box in our street, I hotspotted from my phone for urgent coursework and video calls.
Most providers give you credit for extended outages if you complain. After the four-day outage, Aussie Broadband credited me two weeks’ service without me even asking. Telstra is notoriously stingy about this, which is one reason I avoid them despite their network quality.
If your NBN consistently underperforms, escalate to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) after giving the provider chance to fix it. I’ve never had to do this personally, but friends who did got results quickly. Providers hate TIO complaints.
5G troubleshooting usually involves moving the modem to different spots in your house. Near windows works better than internal rooms. Higher positions often get better signal than floor level. I spent an hour testing different modem placements in Brunswick to optimise speed.
Moving House with Your Internet
NBN relocation requires contacting your provider 2-3 weeks before moving. They’ll check if NBN is available at the new address and arrange connection transfer. Sometimes there’s a $99-150 relocation fee, which I think is ridiculous but providers charge it anyway.
If your new place has different NBN technology (like moving from HFC to FTTN), your speeds might change even on the same plan. I went from getting full NBN 50 speeds to 40 Mbps when moving from Carlton to a FTTN place in Coburg. Frustrating but not much you can do about it.
5G home internet is beautifully simple for moving. Pack up the modem, plug it in at the new place, wait for it to connect. Done. This is genuinely one of 5G’s biggest advantages for students who move frequently.
Check 5G coverage at your new address first though. Just because it worked great at your old place doesn’t mean the new suburb has equally good coverage. I learned this helping a friend move from Brunswick to Sunshine, where their 5G went from 250 Mbps to barely 60 Mbps.
Mobile broadband is obviously portable anywhere. The one issue is some providers tie your service to a billing address and get annoyed if you’re constantly in different locations. Read the terms carefully.
My moving house checklist covers internet setup alongside all the other stuff you need to organise when changing addresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for international students: NBN or 5G home internet?
It depends on your living situation and address. Share houses are usually better with NBN split between people, while students living alone in areas with good 5G coverage often prefer 5G for the flexibility and easy setup. Check what NBN technology your address has and what 5G coverage is like before deciding.
Can I use mobile broadband as my main internet while studying?
Only if you’re very light on data usage. Most mobile broadband has caps of 50-200GB that sound like plenty but disappear fast with video streaming, online classes, and downloading course materials. Fine as backup or for short-term situations, impractical long-term compared to unlimited NBN or 5G plans.
How do I check what NBN technology is available at my address?
Go to the NBN Co website and enter your address in their checker tool. It’ll tell you exactly what NBN technology you have (FTTP, HFC, FTTN, etc.) and when it was installed. Do this before signing a lease if internet quality matters to you. The technology type affects your maximum possible speed significantly.
Is 5G home internet affected by weather in Australia?
Heavy rain can reduce 5G speeds slightly, but it’s not usually dramatic. I noticed maybe 10-20% speed reduction during storms in Brunswick. The bigger issue is peak-hour congestion when everyone’s home using the network simultaneously. Weather affects it less than time of day.
What internet speed do I actually need for online classes and assignments?
NBN 50 (50 Mbps download, 17 Mbps upload) handles everything comfortably for one student. If you’re in a share house with multiple people on Zoom simultaneously, NBN 100 prevents quality issues. The upload speed matters more than download for video calls.
Can I take 5G home internet with me when I move houses?
Technically yes with most providers, though coverage and speed might change at the new address. Some providers restrict relocation to specific coverage areas. Check your plan’s relocation policy before assuming you can move it anywhere. NBN requires formal transfer and possible connection fees.
Final Thoughts
Home internet options in Australia come down to three real choices, each with specific situations where they make sense. NBN is the reliable default for share houses and areas with good connection technology. 5G home internet wins for flexibility and simplicity if coverage is solid. Mobile broadband works for temporary setups or backup, not primary internet.
I’ve wasted money on wrong plans, dealt with frustrating speed issues, and eventually figured out what works through experience. The key is checking your specific address’s NBN technology and 5G coverage before committing to anything. Five minutes research saves months of frustration.
Most students end up on either NBN 50 split between flatmates or 5G home internet if living alone. Both work fine for study, streaming, and staying connected to family. The technical details matter less than having stable internet that doesn’t break the budget.
If you’re still sorting out your move to Australia, check my guides on what bills to expect besides internet and comparing living costs in different cities. Internet is just one piece of setting up life here properly.
Home internet options in Australia aren’t as complicated as they seem once you cut through the marketing noise. Pick based on your actual situation, not what sounds impressive. Reliable 50 Mbps beats unreliable 250 Mbps every time.