5G Modem Router Solution

2jzzzz on 04/10/2025 - 08:29
Last edited 05/10/2025 - 11:15 by 2 other users

Hi all, we signed up for NBN but they wanted to put the box in a bedroom and we wanted it in the garage.

Problem is, the ceilings and walls have tested for asbestos, and we don't want to drill or cut anything with our own cabling. Plus we are going to upgrade to a larger house and rent this place out soon.

We now want to get 5g home internet.

I see the iiNet deal, but all of the 5g home internet's say it's not available at my address and the modems are geolocked.

What I'll need to do is get say the belong data only Sim and put into the house.

It'll be used for 2 mobile phones, smart TV for streaming and probably the most important is a few Wi-Fi Reolink cameras.

Anyone have any input for this situation?

Related Stores

iiNet

• 

  87percent on 04/10/2025 - 10:14

  A lot of these “geo locked” services, actually have a radius of about 10km. So if you WERE to find a friends address that could get it, you could use it

  • 

    2jzzzz on 04/10/2025 - 10:18

    Yeah, closest I can get is about 20km away. I'd hate to be limited to 1.5mb

• 

  vshek on 04/10/2025 - 10:15

  +2

  A few points.
  I have used 4G home internet in the past and it never matches the deterministic latency that a hard wired internet provides. Secondly If you are going to be renting out it may become a point of consideration too and probably best to have something (even in the bedroom).

  Regarding having the NBN termination in bedroom vs garage, I get it but you can really extend and find alternate options (like wifi bridging or mesh and extension on existing Coaxial cable etc).

  In summary its better to have NBN in bedroom vs 5g internet IMO.

  • 

    2jzzzz on 04/10/2025 - 10:18

    Thank you, I totally get how much better it will be. But to have that warm, bright light box in a bedroom wouldn't be very good. But I accept your option of potentially hiding it as best of possible then mesh out into living room

    • 

      vshek on 04/10/2025 - 10:19

      +1

      Just put on some black electrical tape on the LEDs. it OK :) .

    • 

      Twix on 06/10/2025 - 20:00

      The latest nbn FTTP 1-port NTD and 4-port NTD indicator lights can be switched off/on.

      nbn FTTP 1-port NTD uses about 40% less power on average (under 4.4W).

      Go on 2000Mbps for a few days @ Launtel to get it.

      @2jzzzz @vshek

• 

  AndyC1 on 04/10/2025 - 11:30

  +1

  Make sure which ever 5G network you go with you try the 5G on your phone around the house and inside to see what the speed and quality is like using a 5G phone app that test the network and what bands the tower has.
  Be aware that support sucks if you have a problem with the no I cannot make a 000 call network phone company.

• 

  GordonD on 04/10/2025 - 12:29

  Inhaling loose asbestos fibres carries some risk.

  But once the job is done of drilling and fixing to paneling material that's it, there's no more problem.

  Its a matter of proper masks when doing it, and tidying up afterwards. And if you don't do it yourself, finding someone who will.

• 

  c64 on 04/10/2025 - 17:49

  +2

  if you want to rent it out then get the NBN sorted out. your tenants will expect to be able to connect to the NBN

• 

  Crownie on 04/10/2025 - 17:52

  +1

  Problem is, the ceilings and walls have tested for asbestos, and we don't want to drill or cut anything with our own cabling. Plus we are going to upgrade to a larger house and rent this place out soon.

  Hidden asbestos is always a feature I'm looking for in a rental.

  • 

    2jzzzz on 04/10/2025 - 23:04

    Don't go punching holes in walls and you should be fine.

    Hardly hidden, you can see the walls and ceilings pretty clearly.

• 

  ValueBob on 05/10/2025 - 12:47

  +2

  I've been using a Mobile phone and its HotSpot (ie. mobile phone's mini WiFi router) for a few years now. I started on 4G (not quite fast enough), then 4G+ (twice the speed - acceptable - the minimum requirement), now 5G (better than 4G+). I am next to a mobile blackspot with below average reception; your scenario should be better.
  It is sufficient for my limited needs as there are only 2 people in the home. For an apartment, it'd be ideal.

  1. Accept Compromise!
     

     • It can be a little slower than wired NBN (depending on how good or bad NBN is at your area, and your NBN plan).
     • Mobile SIM data is limited (no more wasting data like before). You'd be surprised how much data you really need if you cut the wastage and exuberance.
     • No more streaming in 4K, 8K, etc. QHD/1440p, FHD/1080p is fine on 5G.
     • Video calls for private use is ok (e.g. WhatsApp). For work video conferencing, you need to try if it works well enough for you. If 5G signal is good, it should be ok.

  2. 5G Signal Strength - If you have line-of-sight to a 5G tower, you should be laughing … if not, try and you shall know!

  3. Mobile Phone Hardware will make or ruin your 5G Mobile HotSpot experience. I'm using Motorola Edge 30.
     

     • use mid-range mobile phone ($500+ phone) that has 5G, 4G+ (fall back if 5G is unavailable).
     • use phone with WiFi 6, which usually means its HotSpot is WiFi 5ac with "2x2 antenna" inbuilt (i.e. HotSpot is 866Mbps). If the phone HotSpot is WiFi 5ac "1x1 antenna" = 433Mbps is not good enough, IMO.

  4. Phone Placement. Phone should sit vertical on a stand (non metal) with its back unobstructed facing the strongest signal. Plug in power, HotSpot On, Bluetooth Off, and leave it alone.

  5. The phone HotSpot WiFi is single band (e.g. 5GHz WiFi). If you also need 2.4GHz WiFi, use a WiFi "expander" (not extender) with dedicated 5GHz uplink (to the mobile phone HotSpot) while it broadcast its own 2.4GHz WiFi downstream (e.g. Netgear X4S EX7500 Extender). This keeps the 5GHz band "clean" (for the mobile HotSpot to work at its best) and the 5GHz band is not being "extended".

  6. Mobile Data SIM Hopping. Could save more money and pay for the Mobile phone.