There are several alternatives to the NBN if you’re looking elsewhere for internet for your home or office.
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As internet connectivity continues to evolve, so do the options available to consumers seeking high-speed internet services. While the National Broadband Network (NBN) is a popular choice in many areas, there are many alternative technologies and providers to consider.
With Savvy’s comprehensive guide, you can delve into various alternatives to the NBN, helping you understand the diverse range of options at your disposal. Whether you're seeking faster speeds, more flexibility or specific features, read more to learn all about the choices at your disposal today!
If you don’t have access to the NBN in your area or simply wish to choose another option, it’s important to know what internet plan types are available to select. These include:
Home wireless broadband
Home wireless broadband is a wireless internet service which connects your home to the internet using a mobile network, typically either 4G or 5G. It works similarly to your smartphone's mobile data but on a larger scale and is the main alternative to the NBN.
You'll have a wireless modem or router that communicates with the nearest mobile tower to provide internet access to your devices. This technology is a viable alternative to the NBN, especially in areas with limited NBN coverage or when you need a quick and easy setup.
One of the advantages of home wireless broadband is its flexibility. You can easily move the modem/router within your home or take it with you when you travel, making it suitable for renters or those in temporary housing.
However, it may not offer the same consistent speeds and low latency as fixed line connections like the NBN, and it can be more susceptible to network congestion during peak usage times. Still, 5G home wireless broadband can deliver speeds of up to or beyond 500Mbps, though you’re more likely to consistently see experience between 100Mbps and 300Mbps.
Mobile broadband
Mobile broadband is a versatile option which, like home wireless, uses mobile networks to provide internet access. It's accessible through devices like USB dongles, data-only SIM cards and pocket Wi-Fi devices.
This flexibility allows you to get online wherever there's a mobile signal, making it a great choice for those who are frequently on the move for work or live in areas with good mobile network coverage but limited fixed line options.
However, its suitability depends on your location and the strength of the mobile network. In areas with poor coverage, you may experience slower speeds or dropped connections.
Additionally, mobile broadband plans can have data limits, meaning you’re likely to pay more for the data you use than on a home wireless plan, for example. Because of this, mobile broadband generally isn’t seen as a common alternative to an NBN plan.
Fibre internet
Fibre internet is the general name given to privately-owned fixed line networks which run in competition with the NBN. It also relies on fibre optic cables to transmit data at high speeds and is renowned for its exceptional reliability and low latency.
However, there are several key differences between fibre internet and the NBN which are important to consider. Firstly, while the NBN comes with a range of different connection types, fibre plans generally only come via Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology, limiting it to those who have this connection or are willing to fork out to have it installed.
Perhaps most important, though, is its availability. Fewer providers offer fibre internet connections than NBN plans, while they’re also available in far fewer areas across the country comparatively. Because of this, it’s only an alternative for those who tick all the boxes.
Cable internet
Cable internet utilises the existing cable television infrastructure to deliver a connection to your home. It operates on a coaxial cable network, enabling it to offer higher speeds than traditional ADSL plans at up to 100Mbps in some cases. While it shares some similarities with the NBN's HFC connection, it's distinct in that it doesn’t use any fibre optic cables for data transmission.
However, like HFC NBN connections, its availability is limited to areas where the cable network infrastructure is in place. Additionally, this connection type is also being phased out as the rollout of the NBN continues, meaning plans sold for this type of connection are only available to those who don’t have the NBN available yet. Once it becomes available, these connections will be overhauled.
As outlined above, there are always alternatives to the NBN available if you don’t wish to take out a plan, so there aren’t ever any situations where it’s truly compulsory. However, there may be some situations where you may be required to shift to the NBN at least temporarily:
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.
