Remember those painfully slow days of dial-up, when opening a web page took at least 30 seconds, searching Google took a full minute, and downloading a song could take up to a day?
Well, thankfully, the digital world in Australia has come on leaps and bounds since then, thanks to the likes of 5G broadband and the NBN. Both of which offer a blazing fast and super reliable internet connection for your home.
For anyone who is looking to upgrade their current internet service, these two options are now perceived as the best on the market. But it does lead to the obvious question of which one is best to choose.
Well, the answer, like anything, very much depends on what you are looking for. Allow us to elaborate.
Takeaway
Before we do, here are some of the key points you need to know:
- Everyone in Australia should be able to access the NBN right now, unlike the 5G network infrastructure, which is still being built in some parts of the country.
- 5G plans are typically cheaper than the NBN, given the speeds they provide
- Both options are capable of achieving speeds in excess of 500Mbps. However, NBN plans are more consistent in doing it.
What is 5G Home Internet and the NBN?
In case you are not familiar with the inner workings of them, here is some more information about both the 5G home internet and the NBN.
What is 5G Home Internet?
5G is the fifth generation of mobile network technology, and as you would expect from an upgraded version, it provides faster speeds and lower latency than 4G.
While it’s commonly associated with mobile networks, providers are now offering 5G specifically for home use. However, unlike the NBN, which relies on a mix of fiber optics, copper, and satellite connections, 5G home internet operates over cellular networks, similar to your mobile data.
You can get high-speed 5G home internet from TPG and other providers like Optus and Telstra directly to your residence without needing cables.
What is NBN?
The NBN, or National Broadband Network, is a government-backed project which is specifically designed to deliver high-speed internet across Australia.
To do this, it uses a range of technologies (like fiber, copper, and hybrid fiber-coaxial) depending on the area in which you live.
Generally speaking, most NBN connections are wired, although in some rural areas, they do use satellite or fixed wireless technology.
Again, plans are available from various providers, which means it is highly accessible to most Aussie homes.
What are some of the factors to consider when choosing?
When choosing between the 5G home internet and the NBN, here are some of the main factors you should consider:
Speed
If you have endured a slow internet connection or plan on doing heavy gaming or downloading for work purposes, the speed of the connection will be very important to you.
In theory, 5G offers speeds of up to 1-2 Gbps under ideal conditions. However, realistically, users can expect speeds of between 50 and 500 Mbps, depending on factors such as network congestion and proximity to a 5G tower.
By contrast, NBN speeds can vary greatly depending on the type of connection and the plan you choose. However, some premium NBN plans are able to deliver speeds of up to 100 Mbps, while 1 Gbps plans are also available in some areas.
That said, in some urban areas, 5G can provide extremely fast speeds that may exceed those of standard NBN plans.
Reliability and Stability
Something else you’ll want to consider is how reliable and stable your internet connection will be.
Often, 5G signals can be impacted by physical obstructions like buildings and trees, which means that network reliability can fluctuate. At the same time, network congestion during peak times (like evenings) can lead to frustrating slowdowns because you are sharing the connection with nearby users on the same network.
Generally, NBN’s wired connections provide a stable connection because while fixed wireless and satellite NBN options are more prone to weather disruptions, fiber connections are not affected by environmental factors.
For this reason, the NBN tends to be more stable and reliable, especially for those with fiber-based connections.
Availability and Coverage
As mentioned earlier, while the NBN is available throughout Australia, due to its rollout being completed, the infrastructure for 5G is still being built.
Therefore, where you live can often determine which option will be available to you.
You can find out if 5G is available in your area here.
Cost Comparison
Pricing is always going to be a consideration, and you won’t be surprised to read that both 5G home internet and NBN have pros and cons when it comes to cost.
Overall, 5G plans tend to offer flexible pricing but can be on the pricier side if you’re looking for high-speed, unlimited data options. However, in some areas, 5G can be a more affordable alternative to top-tier NBN plans.
That said, NBN plans are available from numerous providers at various price points for different speed tiers. For this reason, it might be easier to find one that better fits your budget and data needs.