4G backup is the spare tire of the Internet world. It's not quite as fast as your regular connection, but you'll be glad it's there when there's an NBN outage.
There are currently 4 providers in Australia whose NBN plans include a modem with 4G backup:
Telstra, comes with the Telstra Wi-Fi Smart Modem.
Optus, comes with the Optus Ultra Wi-Fi Modem.
Vodafone, comes with the Vodafone Wi-Fi Hub.
iiNet, comes with its High-Speed NBN Modem.
iPrimus also offers this option at an additional cost. Otherwise, you'll get its regular modem without the extra 4G feature.
If your NBN connection goes out (but you still have power), your modem with 4G backup will kick in using its 4G mobile connection to get you online until the NBN outage ends.
Keep in mind: While your regular 4G connection on your phone is capable of 100Mbps download speeds, 4G speeds on back-up modems are capped between 12 and 25Mbps.
Depending on how fast your usual NBN plan is, the 4G backup may feel considerably slower.
While the speed won't be anything to write home about, it will mean you won't have to stop working altogether.
Telstra NBN plans
Telstra is Australia's largest telco and has the widest 4G coverage in Australia. While it's not the cheapest provider, its 4G backup could make all the difference for those in regional areas.
Pros
Telstra Wi-Fi Smart Modem comes as standard on all NBN plans.
4G modem is free if you stay for 24 months, or if returned when the plan is cancelled.
4G speed is capped at 25Mbps (instead of the usual 12Mbps).
Finder survey: What features matter to Australians of different ages when choosing an internet plan?
Response
75+ yrs
65-74 yrs
55-64 yrs
45-54 yrs
35-44 yrs
25-34 yrs
18-24 yrs
Customer support options
56.82%
49.42%
47.83%
40.24%
40.54%
38.95%
36.47%
Home phone line
36.36%
20.93%
19.88%
15.98%
8.65%
7.89%
15.29%
Modem with 4G backup
31.82%
34.3%
36.65%
35.5%
32.97%
29.47%
40%
Brand
20.45%
30.23%
25.47%
21.89%
26.49%
36.84%
36.47%
None of the above
13.64%
19.77%
18.63%
21.3%
18.38%
14.21%
15.29%
Modem available to purchase
9.09%
8.72%
10.56%
19.53%
19.46%
20%
29.41%
Other
9.09%
8.14%
10.56%
8.28%
4.32%
6.84%
4.71%
BYO modem
2.27%
8.14%
12.42%
7.1%
17.3%
22.11%
14.12%
Source: Finder survey by Pure Profile of 1006 Australians, December 2023
Optus NBN plans
Optus may not be the largest telco but it has topped the ACCC's broadband performance charts for having the most reliable speeds. Its Ultra Wi-Fi Modem comes included on most plans, excluding the gaming ones (which come with a gaming modem).
Pros
4G speed capped at 25Mbps download, 2Mbps upload.
Modem is free if you stay connected for 36 months.
Good 4G coverage.
Cons
If you leave earlier than 36 months (which is quite a long time), you need to pay out $7 per remaining month for the modem.
Vodafone's NBN plans are a bargain if you're already a Vodafone mobile customer. Otherwise, it's still slightly cheaper than Telstra and Optus, but comes with a slower speed cap and more conditions tied to its usage.
Pros
Vodafone mobile customers save $15 per month.
Modem is free after 24 months.
Cons
4G speed is capped at 12Mbps download/1Mbps upload.
4G doesn't kick in automatically, you have to call Vodafone to activate it.
4G can't be used for more than 30 consecutive days if you have a difficult fault.
If you cancel before 24 months, you need to pay out $7.50 per remaining month for the modem.
iiNet offers its 4G backup modem for free if you stay for 24 months. If you leave earlier, the modem is actually cheaper than with other providers, coming out to a max cost of $192.
Pros
Plans are overall a little cheaper or on par with the bigger providers
iPrimus doesn't offer its 4G backup modem for free. Instead, you'll need to fork out an extra $10 a month for this option. Otherwise, you'll get a regular modem without 4G.
Pros
Regular plans (without 4G backup modems) are $9 per month cheaper than Optus.
Cons
Modem costs an extra $10 a month on top of normal plan pricing (which then makes it $1 more expensive than Optus).
All providers shown in the comparison table offer 4G backup modems. Only iPrimus requires you to pay an extra fee for it, the rest include it with the plan.
While having a 4G connection option is handy during an NBN outage, you don't have to sign up to a provider just for this feature.
If you like your current modem or provider, then don't despair, there are still plenty of other options if you need a backup.
Alternatives to a 4G backup modem
If you're only experiencing intermittent outages and have a good data cap on your mobile plan, you can always just use your phone as a personal hotspot in emergencies.
Check out the following mobile plans that come with generous data allowances for prices that won't break the bank:
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Otherwise, if your issues are more frequent, a mobile broadband or data only SIM plan could give you what you need. It will cost extra for you to maintain, but it will be faster Internet, and you can also take it with you when you travel around Australia.
Alice Clarke is an award-winning freelance journalist, producer and presenter, as well as co-curator of the PAX Aus Together Lounge. In her 15 years as a journalist she’s appeared in The Age, Herald Sun Finder, Gizmodo, Kotaku, the ABC, Stevivor, Cracked, Curve and many other publications. See full profile
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