Compare Home Wi-Fi plans and modems

What is a home Wi-Fi plan?

A home Wi-Fi plan is an internet service that lets you connect devices wirelessly through a modem.

Most Australians use Wi-Fi to connect their phones, laptops, smart TVs and other devices to the internet. However, Wi-Fi and your internet connection are two different things. Your internet connection brings data into your home through a service such as nbn® or home wireless broadband. Your router then creates a Wi-Fi network that allows compatible devices to access that connection without cables.

This distinction matters when comparing plans. A faster internet plan may improve your available download and upload speeds, but it won't necessarily fix weak coverage in another room.  Likewise, upgrading your router may improve wireless performance without changing the speed of your internet plan.

Weak coverage could be caused by a range of things, which you can read more about in our article on slow connections. Too many connected devices or your modem being incompatible with your fibre tech type/max download speed could be causing it.

Compare the best home Wi-Fi plans for your household

The best plan depends on how many people use your connection, what they do online and whether your existing equipment can keep up.

A household that mainly browses the internet and streams television may have different needs from one with several people gaming, downloading large files and attending video meetings simultaneously.

When comparing plans, consider:

• Typical evening speeds: Look at the speeds providers advertise during busy evening periods, not just the maximum speed of the plan.
• Connection type: Check whether your address can access nbn®, home wireless broadband or another internet service. Read everything you need to know about connection types - though you don't get to choose yours!
• Modem inclusions: Find out whether a router is supplied, optional or needs to be purchased separately.
• Mesh options: Larger homes or properties with coverage problems may benefit from additional wireless access points. 
• Contract and equipment conditions: Check upfront costs, repayment arrangements and whether charges apply if you leave the provider.
• Wi-Fi generation: Compare Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 equipment where available.

When it comes to mesh options particularly, the size of your home and the location of your router can make a big difference to Wi-Fi performance. While smaller homes and apartments may have fewer coverage issues, many Australian homes have their nbn® connection box in the garage, where external walls can weaken the signal. 

f that's the case, running an Ethernet cable to a more central router location or adding another router inside the home can help improve Wi-Fi coverage.

Use our address checker to determine which plans are available in your area today.

Which internet providers offer Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 modems?

Australian internet providers offer different types of Wi-Fi equipment. Some supply routers with selected plans, while others let customers bring their own compatible equipment or purchase an optional modem.

Wi-Fi 6 modems are widely available, while Wi-Fi 7 equipment is becoming an option for households looking for newer wireless technology. When comparing providers, check the specific model rather than relying on descriptions such as high-speed modem or premium Wi-Fi.

Note: Modem availability, promotional offers and equipment conditions may change. Check the provider's current terms before ordering.

Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7: What's the difference?

Source: Compare Broadband

Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 are generations of wireless technology that help your devices connect to the internet. Both are designed to handle multiple connected devices, but Wi-Fi 7 takes things further by improving how data travels between your router and your devices.

For example, Wi-Fi 6 generally uses one wireless frequency band at a time for each device, while Wi-Fi 7 can use multiple bands simultaneously on compatible equipment. This means data has more than one route to travel, helping reduce delays and maintain a more stable connection when your network is busy.

Wi-Fi 7 also supports wider wireless channels, allowing more data to travel at once. Think of it like adding extra lanes to a motorway. While this can deliver faster speeds, the bigger benefit for many households is potentially smoother performance when several people are streaming, gaming or working online at the same time.

Wi-Fi 6 vs Wi-Fi 7 comparison

These are technical capabilities, not speeds you should expect from an internet plan. Actual wireless performance depends on your equipment, devices, distance, interference and network conditions.

How does Wi-Fi 7 handle multiple devices?

Think about how many internet-connected devices are already in your home.

Beyond phones and laptops, you might have smart TVs, gaming consoles, security cameras, video doorbells, smart speakers, robot vacuums and connected appliances. You might find that your number of devices gets into the twenties faster than you expected.

Wi-Fi 6 already includes technologies that help modems communicate efficiently with multiple devices. Wi-Fi 7 builds on these capabilities with features such as wider channels and Multi-Link Operation (MLO). MLO allows compatible devices to use multiple wireless links as part of one connection. Depending on the router and device, this can improve throughput, reduce latency or make wireless communication more resilient.

However, these benefits aren't automatic. Your modem and connected devices must support the relevant features, and a Wi-Fi 7 modem won't make an older device behave like a Wi-Fi 7 device.

Do you actually need a Wi-Fi 7 router?

Not necessarily. For many households, a good Wi-Fi 6 router can provide reliable performance for everyday browsing, streaming, video calls and gaming.

It may be worth considering if you're buying new equipment and want access to its newer features, particularly if you already own compatible devices. It could be useful if your household has several people using demanding applications simultaneously, you're upgrading to a high-speed internet plan, or you want to invest in newer wireless equipment.

But the number of connected devices alone doesn't determine whether you need Wi-Fi 7. A household with 30 low-bandwidth smart devices may place less demand on its network than one with a handful of devices transferring large files. Before replacing your router, consider whether your current problem is caused by coverage, network congestion, device limitations or your internet connection.

Can a faster nbn® plan improve your home Wi-Fi?

Yes, but only when your internet plan is the limiting factor. Your internet speed and your Wi-Fi speed are related, but they aren't interchangeable. 

The difference between internet speed and Wi-Fi speed

Internet speed refers to how quickly data can travel between your home and the wider internet. Your plan, connection type, provider network and other factors influence this. Wi-Fi speed refers to how quickly data can travel wirelessly between your modem and connected devices.

For example, imagine your household has an nbn® plan with a typical evening download speed of 100Mbps. Even if your modem supports much higher wireless speeds, that doesn't mean your internet downloads will exceed what your connection can deliver. Now imagine you've upgraded to a faster plan, but your laptop struggles to connect from a bedroom at the other end of the house.

The problem may be weak Wi-Fi coverage rather than your internet plan. 

How to work out what's slowing your internet down

If possible, test your connection using a computer connected directly to your router with an Ethernet cable. You can run a free speed test by searching “internet speed test” on Google or visiting Ookla Speedtest. Then compare the result with a speed test taken close to the router. If the wired connection performs well but otherwise is significantly slower, your home wireless network may need attention.

If both results are consistently below expectations, investigate your internet connection, plan, equipment and provider before assuming a new router is the answer. 

Speed tests are only a guide and can vary depending on the device, test server and network conditions.

Do you need a mesh Wi-Fi system?

A mesh Wi-Fi system uses multiple compatible wireless units to extend network coverage around your home. Instead of relying on one router to reach every room, a mesh system places additional access points in different areas of the property.

This may help if you have a large home, multiple storeys, thick walls or rooms where your Wi-Fi signal regularly drops out. However, mesh systems don't increase the speed of your internet plan. Their main purpose is to improve wireless coverage and connectivity around the home.

They also aren't necessary for every household. A well-positioned modem may be sufficient for a smaller property. When comparing internet providers, check whether mesh equipment is included, available as an add-on or purchased separately. The number of units, compatibility and connection method can all affect performance.

nbn® Wi-Fi plans vs home wireless broadband

Both nbn® and home wireless broadband can provide internet access through a Wi-Fi router, but the connection reaching your home works differently.

nbn® Wi-Fi plans

An nbn® plan connects your premises through an available nbn® access technology, such as Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), Fibre to the Node (FTTN), Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) or Fixed Wireless. Your modem then distributes that connection to devices around your home using Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

Available speed tiers depend on your address, connection type, provider and equipment.

Home wireless broadband plans

Home wireless broadband uses a mobile network, commonly 4G or 5G, to connect your home to the internet. A compatible home wireless modem-router receives the mobile network signal and provides Wi-Fi access to your devices. Performance depends on factors such as mobile network coverage, congestion, signal conditions and the equipment supplied.

Neither connection type automatically guarantees better Wi-Fi coverage inside your home. That's also influenced by your modem and household layout.

How to choose the right Wi-Fi plan and modem 

Before switching internet providers or upgrading your equipment, consider how your household uses the internet.

The best approach is to identify what needs improving before spending money.

Compare home Wi-Fi plans at your address

Whether you're looking for a better-value internet plan, a provider offering newer Wi-Fi equipment or a connection that suits a busy household, comparing your options is a useful starting point.

Enter your address to see available internet plans and compare providers. Check the plan details for typical evening speeds, router inclusions, equipment charges and other conditions before signing up.

Hayley Griffin Content Lead Hayley draws on over ten years of experience in technology, internet, and communications fields. Her experience spans across global clients, offering expertise about the nbn, internet plans and hardware challenges facing Australian households, businesses and consumers. Read full bio