Mobile broadband is now cheaper than fibre – could you save thousands?

For years the choice was simple: fibre was fastest, most stable and often cheapest. But the price trend has flipped the maths. While the price of the most common fixed broadband plans has risen faster than inflation, competition in mobile broadband has pushed campaign prices down – and today a 5G-based mobile broadband with unlimited data and a router can cost less than a standard fibre connection. For many households, it's time to run the numbers again.

In this guide we go through what's happened to prices, how fast today's 5G actually is, when mobile broadband is the better choice – and when fibre still wins. Want to go straight to the prices? You can compare mobile broadband at Wipick.

Why fibre is getting more expensive

According to the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority's (PTS) price report, the median price for the most common fixed broadband plan – 100/100 Mbit/s – rose from 313 to 399 kronor a month between 2021 and 2023. That's an increase above inflation over the same period, after several years of stable prices.

There are several explanations: rising network and operating costs, more expensive rollout to the last remaining addresses, and a market where many customers stay put out of habit instead of comparing. At many addresses, network fees and setup costs come on top, making the real monthly cost higher than the advertised price.

Meanwhile, the opposite has happened in mobile broadband. Base prices have, according to PTS, been stable for several years – but the competition for customers has moved to the campaigns. Today, several major operators offer unlimited 5G data with a router included for around 299 kronor a month on campaign. That's a completely different price picture from fibre's – and that's where the saving comes from.

How fast is today's 5G?

The short answer: faster than most people think. Today's 5G-based mobile broadband delivers up to 1000 Mbit/s under the right conditions, with typical speeds of several hundred megabits – well in line with, and often above, the 100/100 Mbit/s fibre connection that is Sweden's most common.

What decides the experience is the router. A mobile broadband that's going to replace fixed broadband needs a proper 5G router that delivers wifi to the whole home and handles many devices at once – and that's exactly why the operators' current offers, where a fully fledged router is included, have made mobile broadband a realistic fibre alternative. Speed is affected by the distance to the mast, how many people share it and where in your home the router is placed, so a rule of thumb is to place the router high up and ideally near a window.

Want to know what you have today before you compare? You can measure your internet speed.

When is mobile broadband the better choice?

Mobile broadband is today the smarter choice in several common situations:

• You pay 399 kronor or more for 100/100 fibre. Then a campaign price of around 299 kronor for unlimited 5G data with a router can give you both a lower cost and a higher speed.
• You don't have fibre at your address. For households outside the fibre networks, 5G broadband is the obvious alternative – no digging, no installation.
• You move often or sublet. The router moves with you; the plan isn't tied to an address the way fibre is.
• You want broadband in the summer house. The same router works wherever there's coverage, without pulling fibre to a cottage.
• You want to get started right away. SIM in the router, power in the socket – done in minutes, with no technician or installation visit.

We've tested and reviewed the market's three strongest options right now – Comviq (best price), Tele2 (best performance) and Telenor (most complete) – all three with a router included and unlimited data.

When should you still choose fibre?

Honestly: mobile broadband isn't right for everyone, and it would be wrong to pretend otherwise. Fibre is still the better choice if:

• You depend on symmetrical speed. Fibre's equally fast upload is superior for anyone who streams themselves, uploads large files daily or runs heavy video meetings for work.
• You need the lowest and most consistent latency. For competitive gaming, fibre delivers more stable latency than the mobile network, even if the gap has narrowed with 5G.
• Many in the household max out at once. A fully loaded mast shares capacity between users; fibre doesn't in the same way.
• You already have a cheap fibre contract. If you pay well below the median, there's rarely money to be saved by switching.

Want to dig deeper into the differences? We have a whole guide comparing fibre vs mobile broadband.

How much can you save?

The maths is simple. If you pay the median price of 399 kronor a month for 100/100 fibre and switch to a mobile broadband with a campaign price around 299 kronor, you save 100 kronor a month – 1,200 kronor a year. If you pay more for your fibre, which many do once network fees are included or at higher speeds, the saving quickly grows to several thousand kronor over a couple of years.

Add that the router is included in the offers – equipment that otherwise costs several thousand kronor – and that setup and installation fees disappear, and the total calculation looks even better. Just remember that campaign prices apply for a limited period: always check the standard price and the length of the campaign before you sign, and compare on the total cost over the whole contract period, not just the first month's price.

Compare mobile broadband

The easiest way to find out whether you can save is to compare for yourself. At Wipick you see prices, speeds, routers and terms side by side – independent and free of charge. Compare mobile broadband here, or explore our current favourites under Wipick best right now.

Frequently asked questions

Is mobile broadband really cheaper than fibre?

Often, yes. The median price for 100/100 fibre was 399 kronor a month according to PTS's latest price report, while several operators today offer unlimited 5G broadband with a router for around 299 kronor on campaign. Always compare on total cost, though – campaign prices rise to the standard price once the campaign period ends.

Can mobile broadband replace fibre completely?

For most households, yes. With a proper 5G router and unlimited data, mobile broadband handles streaming, remote work and connected devices for the whole family. The exceptions are households that require symmetrical upload or the absolute lowest latency – there, fibre is still best.

How fast is mobile broadband with 5G?

Up to 1000 Mbit/s under good conditions, with typical speeds of several hundred megabits. The speed depends on the coverage where you live, the distance to the mast and where the router is placed in your home.

Do I need to buy a router myself?

No, not with the offers we highlight. Comviq, Tele2 and Telenor all include a 5G router with their mobile broadband, usually in combination with a fixed term. That saves you several thousand kronor in equipment costs.

What should I think about before switching from fibre?

Check your notice period and any fixed term on your fibre contract, ideally test the 5G coverage at your address first (for example with a 5G phone on the same network), and work out the total cost including the standard price after the campaign. If the numbers add up, the switch itself is easy – the mobile broadband is up and running the same day the router arrives.

More questions and answers can be found in our main FAQ. Ready to work out your own saving? Compare mobile broadband now.