Compare Mobile Broadband Plans

Mobile Broadband refers to an internet connection delivered through a mobile network. Formerly enabled by USB modems or internet dongles, mobile broadband technology has advanced in recent years. Residential broadband customers now have access to SIM cards, portable wireless hotspots and fixed wireless modems with large data allowances.

Your mobile broadband speed is determined by your mobile network (e.g., 4G or 5G) and signal strength. With 4G internet, you can expect speeds anywhere between 15Mbps to 100Mbps, whereas with a 5G plan, you can potentially see speeds from 100Mbps and up. Your mobile speeds are determined by your location and network coverage. If you live in an area with poor service, you could see a significant drop in speeds.

Mobile broadband and home wireless broadband both connect to the internet through a 4G or 5G mobile network. The main difference between the two is that wireless broadband is designed to be used at home. Home broadband modems offer more features than a WiFi modem, like faster maximum speeds and ethernet ports. Mobile broadband offers the convenience of portable internet through the use of a WiFi modem or a SIM-compatible device like a tablet or laptop.

With so many internet service providers offering mobile broadband plans, it can be hard to know what you’re looking for. Most importantly, you should consider how you will use your new plan. Do you need it for travelling, or as a backup service for when your home’s internet connection is down? Then, you can look at other factors like cost, data inclusions, network speed, and more so you can make an informed decision. If you are keen on using mobile broadband throughout the day, it might be worth purchasing more data, as it can provide better value for your money. The cost per GB tends to work out more favourably towards mobile broadband plans that have bigger data allowances.

If you’re an employee that works away from a client site with no access to a wireless connection, a mobile broadband plan can provide you with a portable internet solution. Whether you’re on the train to work, in another state, or away from your primary wireless connection, a mobile broadband plan could be extremely valuable.

In order to take advantage of a mobile broadband plan, you’ll need a device like a smartphone, laptop, or tablet with a compatible SIM card slot. The great thing about mobile broadband SIMs is that you can use these cards on almost any device. Many telcos also offer portable modems, also known as Pocket WiFi modems, with their mobile broadband plans which are great standalone options for on-the-go use. Internet providers like Optus and Telstra offer the latest portable modem models, so if you prefer the benefits of signing up with a premium brand, these telcos can offer a mobile broadband solution for your internet needs. It should be noted that there are specific SIM only plans that are designed solely for SIM card-compatible devices.

The following internet providers currently offer mobile broadband plans:

• Amaysim

• Aussie Broadband

• Belong

• Lebara

• More

• Southern Phone

• Spintel

• Tangerine

• Telstra

• Vodafone

• Yomojo

For light internet activities, like browsing the web, sending emails, and streaming music, you could get away with a cheaper plan with smaller data inclusions. Conversely, if you plan on using your mobile broadband for more demanding activities like streaming videos, working from home, or even as a substitute for your home internet, you’ll want a larger data allowance.

It’s important to note that mobile broadband does have its limitations. If you’re planning on using the internet for high-intensity activities like playing online games or stream movies, you might want to consider a home wireless broadband plan or NBN plan instead.

The mobile broadband market is ripe with competitive plans from various providers. While it might be tempting to go for the cheapest plan, you’ll want to consider what you’ll be using your internet for. Small data allowances make for a cheaper plan, but it might not be suitable for users who want to use the internet for streaming or working on the go. On the other hand, a higher data limit might be great for heavy internet usage but not for users who only want to check emails and perform light web activities like browsing.

We advise anyone who is currently looking into cheap wireless broadband plans and is comparing mobile broadband providers to give Internet Monster a call first so that we can assess your current internet needs and offer a plan tailored to your circumstances and budget.