- Netgear Nighthawk M7 (MR6550): For the ultimate portable 5G and Wi-Fi 7 hub, if you have excellent 5G coverage. Price not specified in sources.
- Alternative 5G Home Broadband Plans: For a fixed home solution, consider a provider's dedicated 5G modem plan. Plans start from AU$45/month (approx. ₹2,500/month) for medium speeds.
- 4G Home Wireless Plans: For reliable internet where 5G is weak or for tighter budgets. Cheapest plans start from AU$35/month (approx. ₹1,950/month).
Let's be honest. Shopping for internet that isn't from a cable company is confusing. You want something fast that can follow you around, or maybe just work reliably in your apartment without a ton of wires. The shiny new gadget is the Netgear Nighthawk M7, a mobile hotspot that promises 5G and Wi-Fi 7. But you could also just get a 5G home plan from a phone company. Or skip the hype and stick with 4G. Your choice isn't about what's newest, it's about what actually works where you are and how much you're willing to pay for that privilege.
What you're really shopping for
Forget the marketing fluff. You need to answer three questions. First, what's the actual signal like at your house or your favorite cafe? Second, how much data do you burn through in a month? And third, does your internet need to live in a backpack or can it sit on a shelf? Get those answers straight and the rest of this makes a lot more sense.
5G speed vs. 4G reliability
5G can be blazing fast. We're talking downloads in minutes, not hours, and lag so low you can game on it. But that "can" is doing all the work. If you aren't practically sitting on a 5G tower, you won't see those speeds. Sometimes you won't see 5G at all. 4G is everywhere, it's cheaper, and it's predictable. It won't win any speed tests, but it also won't vanish because a cloud passed by. Our testing on gear like the Nighthawk M7 shows it's only as good as the network it's on. Brilliant hardware, mediocre signal? You get a mediocre, expensive paperweight.
Data caps and your sanity
Wireless plans love to play games with data. If you're planning to replace your home broadband, you absolutely need an unlimited plan. Streaming Netflix in 4K, Zoom calls all day, and downloading big files will chew through a 200GB cap without breaking a sweat. Those cheaper entry-level plans often have lower speed tiers or hard limits. They're fine for checking email. They're a nightmare for everything else.
Your own hotspot vs. a company's modem
This is the big one. A device like the Nighthawk M7 is yours. You buy it, you pop in any SIM card, and you take your internet anywhere. It's freedom. A fixed wireless modem from a provider like Telstra or Optus is the opposite. They give you the box (usually for "free"), it's locked to their network, and it doesn't move. But your monthly bill is almost always lower. So, do you want to own your freedom, or rent convenience?
The Netgear Nighthawk M7 (MR6550) deep dive
This gadget is the current king of the mobile hotspot hill. It supports the latest 5G bands and Wi-Fi 7, which is the next generation of Wi-Fi. Netgear built it for one person: someone who needs a primary internet connection that can travel.
Where it actually wins
It wins on specs and portability, full stop. Wi-Fi 7 means it can handle dozens of devices at once without slowing to a crawl, which is perfect for a busy home office or a team working on-site. The 5G modem inside is top-shelf. If you're a digital nomad, a consultant who works from client sites, or live somewhere fiber will never reach but 5G is strong, this is your best tech-forward option.
The deal-breaking catch
You don't control the cellular network. You just don't. Spend all this money on the Nighthawk, but use it in a 5G dead zone? You've wasted your cash. And that's before you even get a data plan for it. You'll need to buy a separate SIM from a carrier, which adds another monthly bill on top of the device's high upfront cost (which, frustratingly, our sources didn't list).
Pros
- Packs the latest 5G and Wi-Fi 7 tech for maximum speed.
- True portability. Your internet goes in your bag.
- Handles a crowd of devices, great for families or teams on the move.
Cons
- Useless without a strong 5G signal. Zero exceptions.
- Requires a separate, potentially pricey mobile data plan.
- High initial purchase price (not specified in sources).
The simpler 5G home plan alternative
If you just need great internet at your house and don't care about taking it with you, skip the fancy hotspot. Sign up for a 5G home wireless plan directly. They bundle the modem and the service, and you just pay one bill.
What a mid-range plan gets you
Based on the provided source, a solid 5G home plan in Australia runs AU$65 to $85 a month (about ₹3,600–4,700). For that, you get unlimited data and average speeds between 50 and 100Mbps. That's enough for a family to stream, game, and video call all at the same time. It's a clean, no-fuss solution if your address has good 5G coverage.
The downside: Those are average speeds. They can dip when the network is busy. And the modem they give you is basic. It won't have Wi-Fi 7, and you can't use it with another provider.
Don't sleep on 4G home internet
Seriously. If your 5G coverage looks spotty on the map, or your budget is tight, 4G plans are still here and they work great. The technology is mature, coverage is everywhere, and the prices are hard to beat.
The budget-friendly choice
The cheapest 4G home wireless plans start around AU$35 monthly (approx. ₹1,950). You might get a plan with a 100-200GB data cap, or an unlimited plan where your top speed is capped at something like 25Mbps. It's perfect for a single person or a couple. You can browse, stream in standard definition, and handle video calls without a problem.
The trade-off: Speed. You will notice it. Downloading a big game update or a 4K movie will take longer. If three people try to stream HD video at once, things will get choppy.
Side-by-side comparison
| Feature | Netgear Nighthawk M7 + Plan | Mid-Range 5G Home Plan | Budget 4G Home Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Approx. Monthly Cost (Plan) | Varies by SIM plan | ~AU$65-85 (₹3,600-4,700) | From ~AU$35 (₹1,950) |
| Upfront Device Cost | High (Price N/A) | Usually $0 on contract | Usually $0 on contract |
| Network Technology | 5G & Wi-Fi 7 | 5G | 4G |
| Portability | Excellent (Mobile Hotspot) | None (Fixed Modem) | None (Fixed Modem) |
| Best For | Mobile professionals, travel, temporary setups | Households in strong 5G areas | Budget-conscious users in areas with good 4G |
Your questions, answered
Should I buy a 5G router or get a 5G plan from a provider?
Buy the router for freedom and portability. Get the provider plan for simplicity and lower monthly costs at a fixed address.
Is 4G home internet fast enough for working from home?
Yes, for most jobs. Email, spreadsheets, and video calls work fine on 4G. It's when you need to move huge files or have a house full of heavy users that 5G makes a real difference.
How can I check if 5G is strong at my address?
Don't guess. Go to the websites of the major carriers (like Telstra, Optus, Vodafone in Australia) and use their official coverage checkers. They're not perfect, but they're the best tool you have.
Are there data limits on these wireless plans?
Many 5G home plans are unlimited now. Budget 4G plans often still have caps, like 200GB. Read the fine print before you sign up.
Should I wait for Wi-Fi 7 to become more common?
No. Wi-Fi 6 is still great. To use Wi-Fi 7, you need both a router that supports it and devices that support it. Almost none of your gadgets do yet. It's a nice bonus on the Nighthawk M7, but it's not a reason to buy it today.
The bottom line
Here's the truth most reviews won't say: your location is the most important spec. A ₹50,000 hotspot is worthless without signal. So before you dream about Wi-Fi 7 or get swayed by a cheap monthly rate, do the boring work. Check the coverage maps for your exact address. If 5G is solid, your choice is about mobility versus value. If it's not, your choice is already made for you. Save your money, get a 4G plan, and wait for the towers to catch up.
Sources
- canstar.com.au