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5G vs NBN for Small Businesses: Essential Considerations

A fast, reliable internet connection is probably one of the most important things you’ll need in your small business. With the availability of technologies like the 5G cellular network and rollout completion of the nbn™, you might be wondering which is better for your business. Both have their own advantages, and the recommended option for your internet connection could depend on your business needs, location, and other factors. Here, we’ve put together all the essential facts and considerations to help you make an informed decision about choosing between a 5G and an nbn™ connection.

The difference between 5G and nbn

5G is the fifth generation of mobile networks and is currently the fastest type of mobile connection available. It uses mobile towers, cell sites, and radio frequencies to provide a connection. 5G has increased bandwidth capacity and lower latency compared with 4G. Note you need a 5G-compatible device to take advantage of a 5G connection.

The nbn™, on the other hand, is Australia’s national broadband access network. Unlike 5G, it gives you a mostly wired connection using different types of connection technologies, for example, FTTP, FTTN and Fixed Wireless. According to some estimates, 5G theoretically can deliver speeds up to 20 times faster than the nbn™.*

What you need to think about

These are three key factors to think about when deciding between a 5G and nbn™ connection.

1. Do you require a landline or static IP address?

For some small businesses, a dedicated landline telephone is paramount for the day to day operations of the company. Also some businesses require that they have a static IP address. Unfortunately our 5G Internet for business service currently doesn’t support these features. If you are one of those businesses who require these features, it may be best to get connected to the nbn™.

2. What speed do you need?

5G internet for business offers faster speeds than most nbn™ plans currently on the market. A common nbn™ plan for small businesses is 50Mbps or even 100Mbps download. Our 5G internet for business typical busy period download speed is 225Mbps download*.

3. Availability

Currently, nbn™ plans are more widely available than 5G plans in terms of population coverage. Given this, on the point of accessibility and availability, an nbn™connection is probably the winner and your small business will probably find it easier to obtain one.

5G: the pros and cons

As noted above, 5G promises much faster speeds than an nbn™ connection, Also 5G connections can be easier and quicker to set up than an NBN connection. All you usually need is a 5G compatible modem and a power point. There are no wires needed for the connection like NBN If you’re moving your business, 5G makes it easy to move your connection and get set up again in no time (as long as the new business address is serviceable by 5G). Finally, if the nbn™ isn’t available in your area, 5G could be the best option for your small business.

NBN: the pros and cons

Since it’s a wired connection, an nbn™ connection could be more reliable and consistent compared with 5G. Reliability and consistency can be essential if you’re using services like VoIP phone connections.. You’ll also be able to take advantage of a static IP address, 5G coverage can also be an issue. 5G coverage is currently limited and therefore so is the opportunity for small businesses to connect. On a geographical basis, the nbn™ is currently available to more small businesses than 5G.

Is there a winner?

The question of whether 5G or the nbn™ is better doesn’t have a clear answer. The best solution for you is an internet connection tailored to your small business’s needs. It’s also important to consider the various factors that influence the quality of your connection, such as your location, speed, reliability, and business type. The ideal connection for your business could be either 5G or the nbn™.

Choose how you grow

5G might be better than nbn™ for some circumstances, but the nbn™ could be superior to 5G in others for your business. It comes down to your business’s individual needs, your bandwidth needs, whether you require a landline, a static IP and other factors. As long as you take time to weigh up the pros and cons given your specific circumstances, you should end up with the right type of connection for your small business. Wherever your small business is located and whatever your needs, SpinTel can provide you with the right business nbn™ solution. Our award-winning plans are fast and cost-effective, and we support our customers with friendly and efficient service from our experienced team. Contact us today about your business requirements, and explore our business nbn™ plans here.

*Disclaimer: This example is a theoretical breakdown of how the 5G technology could perform against the NBN. It does not reference any specific plan or product sold by SpinTel or any of its competitors, but rather serves to illustrate the potential of 5G technology.

*Average peak 5G download speed is calculated over the previous 3-month period and is the average speed experienced by a representative group of customers between 7pm and 11pm (the busy time for consumer Internet traffic). Past performance is not an indication of expected future

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