To check whether there is 5G in your area, enter your address into the online coverage map of your network, Telstra, Optus or Vodafone, and look at both the 5G and 4G layers. Then test the real signal at your home, because coverage maps are predictions and often overstate what reaches you indoors.

This guide shows how to read the maps, why they can disagree with your phone, and what the result means if you are thinking about a signal booster.

Where can you check 5G and 4G coverage?

Each network publishes a free coverage map. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all let you search an address and switch between 5G and 4G, and most show whether coverage is expected outdoors, indoors or with an external antenna. Many smaller providers run on one of these three networks, for example Boost on Telstra, amaysim on Optus, and Felix on Vodafone, so check the map of the network your provider uses.

Networks also publish outage pages. If your signal dropped suddenly, check for a fault or planned work first. A tower outage is not something a booster can fix.

When will 5G come to my area?

Networks do not usually publish exact dates for individual suburbs. The coverage map is the best guide to what is live now, and some maps also flag areas where upgrades are planned. 5G has spread fastest in capital cities and large regional centres, while many rural and outer areas still rely on 4G.

The good news is that 4G is still the backbone for calls and most data in Australia. If you have a strong 4G signal indoors, most people notice little everyday difference. If 4G is weak indoors, improving it often matters more than waiting for 5G. Our 5G signal booster guide explains when a 5G kit is worth it.

Why does the map say coverage when your phone has none indoors?

Maps are computer models based on tower locations, power and terrain. They make general assumptions about buildings, but they cannot see your metal roof, brick veneer, foil-backed insulation, low-E glass or the shed next door. That is why the map can show good coverage while you get one bar in the lounge.

In most cases the map is roughly right about the signal outside and too generous about the signal inside. Closing that indoor gap is exactly what a booster does, provided there is a usable signal outside.

How do you test the real signal at home?

  • Turn off Wi-Fi so the phone uses only the mobile network.
  • Open the signal screen on your phone to see the reading in dBm. On many Android phones it is under Settings, About phone, Status. On iPhone you can use field test mode.
  • Note the reading in the worst room, by a window, outside at the front and back, and at the highest point you can safely reach.
  • Check whether the phone shows 5G or 4G at each spot, and make a short call.

As a rough guide, -70 to -90 dBm is good, -90 to -105 dBm is usable but patchy, and below -110 dBm calls tend to fail. If the outside readings are clearly better than inside, a booster is very likely to help.

What does the result mean for a booster?

  • Good 4G or 5G outside, poor inside: a booster can bring the outside signal in. Choose a kit that matches your network and the band you saw.
  • Weak but steady signal outside: a booster with a directional Yagi antenna aimed at the tower usually works well.
  • No signal anywhere outside: a booster cannot help. Use Wi-Fi calling, or a satellite messaging feature if your phone and plan support it.

If you saw 5G outside and want it indoors, look at the 5G signal boosters. If you mainly saw 4G, a 4G/5G booster or a network kit for Telstra, Optus or Vodafone fits most homes.

Should you wait for 5G before buying a booster?

Not usually. In most of Australia, 4G is still what keeps calls and data working indoors, and 5G coverage is patchy outside the cities. If you have 5G outside and want it indoors, choose a kit that covers the 5G bands your network uses. If not, a 4G kit fixes calls and data now, and you can review your setup later as 5G spreads.

Which network has the best coverage in your area?

There is no single answer for the whole country. One network may be strongest in your street and weakest in the next town. Compare all three maps for your address, ask neighbours which network works indoors, and if calls matter for work, try a prepaid SIM on another network for a week before you switch.

When you are ready, send your readings through our floor plan analysis page and we will suggest a kit. Delivery is free in 5 to 7 working days, and you can return a kit within 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if 5G is available at my address?

Search your address on your network’s coverage map and switch to the 5G layer, then check what your phone shows outside.

Do I need a 5G phone to use 5G?

Yes. A 4G-only phone will keep using 4G even where 5G is available.

Is a 5G booster worth it if I only get 4G?

No. A booster can only amplify the signal that reaches you. Choose a 4G kit if 4G is all you get.

Are coverage maps accurate indoors?

They are estimates and often overstate indoor coverage.

Got your readings? Send us your address, network and floor area, and we will match a booster to the signal you actually have. Get a free floor plan analysis