Broadband: Maria Bekiaris Home wireless deals

There’s a plug-in wireless alternative to messing around with the NBN

Mostofusknowallabouthome broadband and chances are you’ve heard of mobile broadband. But did you know there is something in between the two called “home wireless broadband”? It uses the mobile phone network to connect your home to the internet. You’ll then have a special modem/router that will let you share the connection with any devices inside your house over wi-fi.

Home wireless broadband is meant to replace a fixed home connection so the plans give you more data than you’d get with a mobile broadband offering. One of its biggest advantages is that you just have to plug the modem into the power point and it’s ready to go. There’s no need to wait days for your provider to hook up the internet.

It’s also portable so you can take it with you if there is coverage at your destination. Of course, you still need a power supply for it to work so this isn’t your answer to getting great broadband on camping trips, says Kenny McGilvary from WhistleOut.

The modems have antenna ports to help you get the best signal possible and ethernet ports so that you can create a direct connection for your most important devices.

“If you’re struggling with an ADSL or NBN internet connection, suffer slow speeds or service drop-outs, then home wireless broadband might be just what you need,” says McGilvary. “It’s best for homes or offices with just a few people, people with low data usage or people who don't need to send or receive large files. No-commitment internet is also great when you might need to pack up and move at short notice, so students and short-term renters can be a good fit.”

A handful of providers offer the service including Optus, Telstra, Jeenee Mobile, SpinTel, Exetel and Vividwireless (which is part of Optus). The bad news is that the price of data tends to be more expensive than normal fixed-line internet plans.

“Generally, you should expect to pay between $60 and $100 per month for a home wireless broadband plan with 200GB+ data, which is enough for web browsing and watching a bit of Netflix each day,” says McGilvary. You could get unlimited fixed plans for a similar price that is better value for money. The table features some of the best deals on offer, according to WhistleOut.

When comparing plans, McGilvary says you should consider any set-up fees and modem costs, which might be additional to the monthly plan cost. Something else to watch out for is any speed limits. “Some providers limit the speed of the connections to 12Mbps to make sure that everyone gets equal access to the mobile networks,” says McGilvary.

Home wireless broadband relies on a strong mobile signal, so it isn't available in all areas, warns McGilvary. “Providers need to check your address before signing you up, to make sure you fall within their coverage footprint,” he says. If your mobile coverage at home is hit-and-miss, it might not be the best option. If you’re unsure, consider choosing a nocontract option so you can easily switch if it’s not working for you.