Find out the differences between 5G and NBN internet connections, including their availability, cost, reliability and more.
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With both 5G home broadband and NBN connections proving popular among an Australian market seeking out high-speed and high-performance internet, it’s worth taking a step back and understanding how the two types of broadband differ before you choose one over the other.
You can explore their differences, such as cost, capabilities, reliability and more right here in Savvy’s helpful guide to 5G and NBN internet. Read on to find out more about each type of broadband to help you discover which option is best for your needs.
The National Broadband Network (NBN) is Australia's nationwide broadband infrastructure project, designed to upgrade and replace the existing outdated telecommunications network. The goal of the NBN is to provide faster and more reliable internet access to Australian homes, regardless of their location.
The NBN is broken down into six speed tiers, which are:
It utilises a mix of technologies, including fibre optic, coaxial and copper cables, as well as wireless radio signals and satellite connectivity. The specific connections for your NBN plan will depend on the infrastructure available at your home or office and may also dictate the type of NBN plan you can buy. For example, only Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) connections are capable of supporting NBN 250 and NBN 1000 speeds.
5G, or fifth-generation, internet is the latest iteration of wireless technology for mobile and broadband communications. It represents a significant leap in connectivity compared to its predecessor, 4G. 5G offers much higher maximum speeds, lower latency and the capacity to connect several devices simultaneously.
Unlike previous generations, which primarily relied on large mobile towers for signal transmission, 5G utilises a combination of smaller stations. These advanced technologies allow for greater network capacity and speed.
5G can be accessed either through home wireless broadband connections, which are designed to service homes, or mobile broadband, which is built for on-the-go use. However, connectivity is dependent upon the coverage and reception in your area.
There are several key factors to consider between 5G and NBN connections when deciding which is the best option for you. These include:
5G: 5G networks are gradually rolling out in urban areas, primarily in major cities and metropolitan regions. While expansion is ongoing, 5G coverage is not yet as widespread as NBN, especially in rural and remote areas.
NBN: because the NBN rollout is further ahead than the 5G expansion, coverage extends to a much larger portion of the population, including regional and remote areas.
5G: 5G offers impressive speed capabilities, with theoretical maximum speeds exceeding 1Gbps. In practical terms, 5G can deliver speeds that often match or surpass some of the faster NBN tiers. However, like the NBN, many 5G home internet plans now come with speed tiers, with 50Mbps, 100Mbps and uncapped plans the most common options.
NBN: NBN speeds vary based on the technology used, with those utilising older copper technology potentially suffering from speed degradation, but they generally range from 12Mbps to 1000Mbps (1Gbps). Where the NBN also differs from 5G is the level of choice afforded to customers, with six speed tier options compared to three.
5G: in many cases, 5G plans can be cheaper than their equivalent NBN speed tiers over the long term, with base prices tending to be cheaper than those of NBN plans (which often come with introductory periods).
NBN: while NBN plans may be cheaper in the short term thanks to discounted introductory periods, they may work out to be more expensive overall. For instance, NBN 250 plans generally cost more than 5G plans with uncapped speed, even though the latter can potentially be faster.
5G: 5G networks can experience fluctuations in speed and coverage due to factors like network congestion, signal interference, frequency used and distance from the nearest tower. Reliability can vary depending on your location.
NBN: NBN reliability also varies based on the technology used. FTTP connections typically provide more consistent and reliable performance, while fixed wireless and satellite connections may be more susceptible to dropouts and slowdowns.
5G: installing 5G home internet typically only involves setting up a 5G-compatible modem or router and ensuring there is 5G coverage in your area. It's a straightforward process for those with 5G availability.
NBN: installing NBN may require more complex installation, depending on the technology used. Fibre connections often involve technician visits, while other technologies may require the installation of NBN-compatible equipment by professionals. All of this can take much more time than 5G in some cases.
There isn’t one simple answer to the question of which connection type is better, as it depends entirely on your needs as an individual or family. If you value reliability, you may lean towards the NBN, but if your budget is the most important, 5G may work out to be cheaper overall.
The answer becomes simpler for you in certain situations, such as if 5G isn’t available in your area yet. Alternatively, if the NBN is yet to reach you or if the connection type doesn’t meet your speed requirements, such as Fixed Wireless, Satellite or a weaker Fibre to the Node (FTTN) or Curb (FTTC), you may lean towards 5G.
Overall, it’s important to take the time to compare internet deals online to see which providers can offer the service you’re looking for at the most affordable price, which you can do through Savvy.
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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© Copyright 2024 Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd T/as Savvy. All Rights Reserved.
Quantum Savvy Pty Ltd (ABN 78 660 493 194) trades as Savvy and operates as an Authorised Credit Representative 541339 of Australian Credit Licence 414426 (AFAS Group Pty Ltd, ABN 12 134 138 686). We are one of Australia’s leading financial comparison sites and have been helping Australians make savvy decisions when it comes to their money for over a decade.
We’re partnered with lenders, insurers and other financial institutions who compensate us for business initiated through our website. We earn a commission each time a customer chooses or buys a product advertised on our site, which you can find out more about here, as well as in our credit guide for asset finance. It’s also crucial to read the terms and conditions, Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) or credit guide of our partners before signing up for your chosen product. However, the compensation we receive doesn’t impact the content written and published on our website, as our writing team exercises full editorial independence.
For more information about us and how we conduct our business, you can read our privacy policy and terms of use.
