We’ve always been about giving customers the best network in more places. All our competitors have a long way to go before they can compete for the title of Australia’s best 5G.
5G represents the next-generation of mobile connectivity, bringing higher data speeds, greater bandwidth, and lower latency. 5G stands for fifth generation, and it’s about getting you the speed you need, while powering the future of connected technology. From self-driving cars to rescue drones and everything in between, 5G is made for what’s next.
2G brought us SMS and picture messaging. 3G was all about mobile internet. 4G made streaming and sharing part of everyday life.
With 5G, downloads are faster thanks to better network speeds. It’s a future where devices are interconnected, and immersive experiences are the norm.
Right now, 5G on Telstra powers wireless broadband devices and smartphones.
The difference between 4G and 5G is that it’s twice as fast – and getting faster. 5G is designed for more devices at once and built to get data traffic from one place to another (known as latency) quickly. While 4G supported an explosion of video and data, 5G is purpose-built for our mobile-driven world.
You may have seen other 5G networks, but what you don’t know is that not all 5G is built equally. It’s a complex system of towers, technology, geography and spectrum.
When you stack up all the 5G in Australia, ours comes out as the fastest and most available. We even decided to go and check it out for ourselves in side-by-side comparison tests*. And we filmed it.
Armed with two Samsung Galaxy S20 5G devices, we put a Telstra 5G SIM card in one and the other telco’s 5G SIM card in the other and took both devices to six different locations around Sydney NSW to test them side-by-side:
To make it fair, we made sure each and every test was within both telcos’ 5G footprint so we chose locations with five bars of 5G coverage on both networks.
In each and every test we carried out on the day Telstra 5G came out faster and, on average, Telstra 5G was around 50% faster than the other telco’s 5G network in the tests we did.
Telstra has more than 2000 5G sites in more than 60 cities and towns and 1400 suburbs with access to 5G – that’s more streets, more houses and more places covered by Telstra 5G. We’re fastest everywhere tested by independent studies – and that’s real speed, right now, not some point in the future.
Even the experts agree: Telstra has Australia’s best 5G. According to the results from experts, Telstra 5G has the highest average download speeds, and our 5G coverage was more widely available in all of the eight cities tested.
The average download speeds on our network show we’re well ahead of our competition.
On average across the eight cities tested, our 5G achieved average download speeds above 220 Mbps, which is an excellent result. These results mean that we have the highest average download speeds in each of the tested cities when measured against our closest competitor.
These results tell a much deeper story than a simple speed test does, demonstrating that our 5G is not only faster (on average), but is available in more places in the cities tested.
We’re used to hearing these sorts of questions.
If you see a 5G antenna pop up near you, there’s no need to be afraid. Despite what some might say, you don’t have to worry about 5G. And we should know: we’ve been testing it for some time.
The safety of 5G is an important question, and in January 2020 Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Brendan Murphy issued the following statement to reassure Australians:
I’d like to reassure the community that 5G technology is safe. There is no evidence telecommunication technologies, such as 5G, cause adverse health impacts. This position is supported by health authorities in Australia – such as the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) – and around the world, such as the World Health Organization (WHO).
At Telstra we have done extensive testing on our 5G network with specialised equipment and the EME levels measured were found to be well below the safety limits, and in many cases over a thousand times lower.
Read more about the facts on 5G EME and our testing to ensure we comply with the safety limits.
To access Telstra 5G, you do need a device capable of accessing the 5G network. But 5G support needn’t be a hassle.
We have a wide range of 5G devices, including the latest flagships from Google, Apple, Samsung and more.
We’re always adding devices to our 5G-capable line-up, so make sure you check out our 5G Phones and Devices for the latest.
5G is included at no extra cost on most of our new personal and small business plans. These plans also include no excess data charges in Australia, no lock-in contracts and give you unlimited standard national calls and SMS.
In fact, it’s cheaper than ever to get 5G with Telstra. New and current customers who sign-up to our XL plan until 16th November 2020 will receive a $50 discount per month for 12 months. This plan includes access to our 5G. That means customers will receive 180GB of data on Australia’s best 5G for $65 per month for 12 months.
Find out more about our plans and offers to try 5G for yourself.
