Most Australians who use 5G are satisfied with it, but few are actively seeking it out, according to research from RMIT University.

The national survey of 2,112 people found around one third had never heard of 5G home internet, despite early claims it would challenge the NBN’s market share. Instead of driving major consumer shifts, 5G is spreading mainly through routine phone upgrades, with many people viewing it as background infrastructure rather than a must-have feature.

Lead author associate professor James Meese says the findings point to a “quiet revolution”, where 5G adoption is happening passively rather than through strong demand.

“What we’re seeing is 5G by default, not 5G by demand. It was sold as a tech revolution, but most people are not rushing to upgrade. Once they do, though, they are significantly more satisfied with their mobile service,” he says.

The study found Australians with higher incomes or postgraduate qualifications were more likely to be using 5G, but overall, there were few differences between users and non-users. Dissatisfied customers were the most likely to move, with 36% of respondents unhappy with coverage and 37% unhappy with speed, saying they expected to upgrade within a year.

Among those who had already switched, about half reported paying roughly the same as before, while one in four saw their bills increase. Most non-5G users say they have no immediate plans to change and expected to move only when their current plans expire.

While some consumers are turning to 5G home internet instead of the NBN, James says the trend remains limited.

“Even with 5G home internet on the rise, our data suggests the NBN will remain the backbone of Australia’s fixed broadband for some time yet,” he says.

“For most households, 5G home internet is something they may consider in future rather than a trigger to abandon their existing fixed-line connection today.”

Researchers also looked at whether people were replacing home broadband with mobile hotspotting. Only 6% used their hotspot regularly, while 55% say they switched it on only occasionally, usually as a backup when fixed-line service was slow or unavailable.

Overall, low awareness of 5G mobile and home internet, combined with limited perceived benefits, continues to slow adoption. James says future uptake will depend on price changes and whether new applications deliver the long-promised shift into a true 5G-driven era.