Being near a 5G tower could instantly devalue your home, according to new research from software company Airteam.
The research suggests that the average Sydney home (valued at $1.75m) could lose at least $87,500 from its asking price should a 5G telecommunications tower be visible from the property.
According to Airteam’s survey, 55 per cent of buyers would not pay full market value for a home with a visible tower, while 23 per cent said they would outright refuse to buy a property with one in sight at any price.
The rollout of 5G capable towers has taken off over the last few years.
NSW buyers were the most wary, with 26 per cent ruling out buying a home near a 5G tower.
Airteam founder Rich Atkinson said this data exemplified how “technology perception shapes real-world value”.
“5G infrastructure delivers genuine benefits, faster connectivity, better network reliability, but the visual presence creates a stigma that overrides the practical advantages,” he said.
“The World Health Organisation has confirmed these towers are safe, yet 55 per cent of potential buyers either walk away or demand discounts.
“The technology works, but the perception doesn’t.”
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In 2021, residents of Victoria’s Highland Park protested the construction of an Optus 5G tower near the water tank in their neighbourhood. Picture: Glenn Hampson
Sydney homeowner Alan Lau said for most buyers, it came down to “control and compromise”.
“You can renovate a kitchen or repaint a house, but you can’t do anything about a tower that’s already there,” he said.
“If people feel unsure about health, don’t like the look of it, or worry it’ll turn off future buyers, that’s enough to walk away.
“When you’re making one of the biggest purchases of your life, anything that feels like a permanent negative is hard to ignore.”
Telstra alone now operates 6,421 5G towers nationwide, with the number of installations in 2025 being 256 per cent higher than in 2024.
In total, 15,119 5G capable towers are located across Australia, according to airteam.com.au.
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The spread of Telstra’s 5G towers in Australia. Source: Airteam Analysis of ACCC Mobile Infrastructure Data
According to the survey, Millennials showed the greatest aversion to owning near a 5G tower, with 62 per cent responding with an overall aversion.
Meanwhile, 27 per cent of both Boomers and Gen X say they would never buy at all.
Mr Lau, aged 33, said Millennials were paying high prices, so they expected fewer compromises.
“If something feels like it could affect day-to-day living or future resale, they’re more likely to move on and find a place without that downside,” he said.
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Telstra’s new 5G Tower installations more than doubled between 2024 and 2025. Source: Airteam Analysis of ACCC Mobile Infrastructure Data
Despite a large chunk of Aussies not being willing to live near 5G towers, Airteam’s research also found that over one-in-three people would pay a premium for a house with the fastest internet.
Thirty-nine per cent of people would pay more for a house with the best possible FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) internet, with responders on average saying they would pay up to $2000 more for a better connection.
Gen Z valued fast internet at nearly triple the rate of Baby Boomers, with 60 per cent willing to pay extra compared to just 21 per cent of Boomers.
Fourteen per cent of Millennials said they would pay more than $5,000 more for a home with top internet.
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While most Aussies do not want to live near a 5G tower, over one third would pay a premium for the best internet.
On the flip side, Airteam also found that Aussie buyers expected a discount for a home with poor internet or mobile reception, or one that is located in a 5G ‘blackspot’.
Sixty-one per cent of homebuyers said they would not buy a property if they discovered it was in a mobile phone signal blackspot, while 14 per cent would buy but demand a discount, quantifying the ‘blackspot penalty’.
“Around five percent (discount) feels realistic, especially in expensive markets like Sydney where that can mean tens of thousands of dollars,” Mr Lau said.
“From a seller’s point of view, the biggest issue is that fewer people even want to inspect, which naturally pushes prices down or drags negotiations out.”
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