The end-of-financial-year sales have seen many smartphone deals across flagship, mid-range and budget handsets, including some rare discounts on the current iPhone 17 range.

If you splurged on a new phone during the sales, you may be interested in signing up for a new SIM-only plan if you bought one outright, especially if you’re not 100% happy with your current provider.

Even if you didn’t buy a new phone, it can still pay to shop around for a new SIM-only plan, as you may find one that fits your needs better than your current one. You could be paying for a ton of data with your current provider that goes unused, for example. Or maybe you’d benefit from having international calls included in your monthly price.

Given how competitive the telco market is currently, providers are jostling for your attention — whether it’s generous mobile data allowances, discounts on the monthly plan fees or inclusions like international calls and texts — and it would be a good idea to take full advantage.

The best part is, unless your current plan is tied up with a mobile phone, it’s so easy to switch providers. If the promotional plan discount of the SIM-only plan you signed up has just wrapped up, you can easily swap to a different provider that’s offering its own discounted plan with next to zero hassle.

I’ve put together a list below of the best SIM-only plans I’ve spotted this EOFY across a range of use cases and budgets, with all the inclusions and discounts:

Best value EOFY SIM-only plan

Best cheap EOFY SIM-only plan

Best EOFY SIM-only plan on the Telstra network

Best EOFY high-data SIM-only plan

Best EOFY long expiry SIM-only plan

More of the best SIM-only plans

Keen to shop around more? Check out the most popular SIM-only plans in the widget below:

If you're on the Vodafone network in Australia and you weren't able to make calls this morning between 7:30am and 9:40am AEST, you weren't alone. Vodafone confirmed that there was an outage at one of its network hubs around that time, but the matter was quickly investigated and fixed, with services back to normal as of around 11am AEST for most customers.

At its peak, at around 9am AEST, there were over 8,200 complaints on DownDetector but, as of 11:53am, that's dropped dramatically to around 650, with the graph on a downward trend.

We've checked this ourselves and, while no one in TechRadar's Australian office is on the Vodafone network (either directly or via an MVNO like TPG or Lebara), a family member has confirmed that he has full service.

Other customers on Reddit and Facebook have also confirmed that all is well.

If you still haven't been able to connect, you could try putting your phone into Airplane Mode and back on again for it to search for the Vodafone network, or you could just do a full restart and that should definitely sort you out.

Vodafone's mobile network went down just before 8am AEST this morning, affecting not only its direct customers, but potentially even those on MVNOs on its network, like users with TPG and Lebara. That means this current outage could be affecting millions of customers, although Vodafone has confirmed it's "urgently investigating".

There's currently no updates on the Vodafone website, with even its Network Status Checker throwing up errors.

According to DownDetect, there were over 8,000 complaints as of 9am AEST this morning, but that's dropped since, although there's slight uptick again as of 11am AEST.

My team and I will keep an eye on what's happening and update you as often as we can with any fresh information we get.

Vodafone's official statement since this morning hasn't changed. While the company hasn't yet said anything on X, the statement has been posted to its Facebook account.

This outage has even affected Vodafone stores, not just customers on its mobile network.

Vodafone has issued a new update as of a few minutes ago, stating that the issue has been "isolated and resolved".

That's also reflected on DownDetector, where the number of complaints as of 11am AEST has dropped to 1,386.

While no one in the TechRadar Australia office is on the Vodafone network, a family member is and can confirm that they have full network coverage and is able to make calls.

Vodafone's Network Status Checker, however, is still rather slow and many of us in Sydney's CBD are still getting errors when we check what's happening with the network in our location.

And we're back!

Vodafone's latest update says that the issue has been "largely resolved". Apparently the network crash was caused because of "an outage at one of our network hubs at around 8am".

Vodafone clarifies that most customers should now be able to make calls and send texts as usual, although "some may continue to experience intermittent issues".

If you still can't access the Vodafone network, try putting your phone into Airplane Mode and back on again, or do a full restart.

Vodafone has issued any final statement regarding its mobile network outage, but we're not expecting anything further since the Facebook post about an hour ago.

Everyone we've asked who is on the Vodafone network have confirmed that they can now make calls and send texts, so there shouldn't be anything to worry about further.

Whether Vodafone will compensate its customers for this outage is as yet unknown, but we think not — it wasn't for long and, importantly, it wasn't a hack, but given it was at the start of the working day and would have affected not just private customers but businesses as well, Vodafone might offer at least some bonus data to affected users, if nothing else.

You probably know how much mobile data you pay for every month, but do you know how much you actually use? I suppose, in this day and age, that’s like asking if you know how many liters of water you drink every month (“No, but I know it’s a lot”).

Mobile data usage has skyrocketed in recent years due to a variety of factors (not least the advent of autoplay features in social media apps such as TikTok). Analysis from Ericsson suggests the amount of data transferred over cellular data networks has increased more than sevenfold since 2020, with the monthly average now standing at 25GB per device in both the US and Western Europe.

But while it’s true that most of us are using more mobile data than ever, these numbers don’t quite paint the full picture — they embolden mobile operators to sell oversized data plans, and, in all likelihood, you’re paying for more data than you actually need.

That 25GB figure is skewed by smartphone users who rarely, if ever, touch Wi-Fi. We all stream HD video over 5G and occasionally set up mobile hotspots for our laptops, but some people do these things near-constantly (yes, really), using upwards of 100GB per month and disproportionately affecting the monthly average.

By contrast, Ofcom’s Communications Market Report 2025 suggests the average person in the UK uses 10.6GB of data per month, while Statista puts the equivalent US figure at between 5 and 15GB, which aligns with Ofcom’s findings. All three numbers are significantly lower than the 25GB figure quoted by Ericsson, suggesting they account for those disproportionately high usage cases (there are, of course, disproportionately low usage cases to consider too).

Unlimited mobile data plans are a popular choice among users who don’t want to be charged per gigabyte or exceed a monthly limit, but as above, these plans are rarely better options — financially speaking — than the cheaper, fixed-capacity data plans they sit above.

“Mobile operators and MVNOs [Mobile Virtual Network Operators] face higher network costs as data usage increases, which is why plans with larger allowances typically cost more,” Christian Banhans, UK Managing Director at mobile operator spusu, exclusively tells TechRadar. “However, many customers only use a fraction of their monthly data, meaning they may be paying for more than they actually need.”

“The main reason customers use less data than their allowance is psychological, as they want to avoid running out, so they often choose plans with more data than they need,” Banhans continues. “Providers also face fixed costs for each plan, alongside the costs of (often unlimited) minutes and texts. In our experience, the difference in underlying costs is relatively small compared with the pricing difference between plans.”

“Larger plans often have a lower cost per gigabyte, making them appear better value even when much of the data goes unused. This is where the gap between what customers pay for and what they use tends to be greatest.”

How to check your data usage

Banhans notes that there are several ways consumers can avoid paying for more data than they need. “The first is to sync your phone’s internal data counter to the billing cycle and track how much data you need per month, or download a standalone application to do that.”

To check your data usage on your iPhone, go to Settings, Cellular (or Mobile Service), then scroll down to the Mobile Data menu. The Current Period displayed here reflects your data usage since the last time your Mobile Data Usage Statistics were reset, which will probably be some time ago. To align that figure with your specific monthly billing cycle, you’ll want to scroll down to the bottom of the page and tap Reset Statistics on the same day each month that your billing cycle resets. You can set up a recurring Reminder to help you remember to do this.

A more straightforward solution, though, is to track your data usage through your network provider's official app — which will already be aligned with your monthly billing cycle — or use a third-party data tracking app like My Data Manager and Data Remaining.

On Samsung phones, the process is simpler. If you go to Settings, Connections, then Data Usage, you’ll see your data usage displayed in a monthly format by default. To manually align the dates to your monthly billing cycle, tap Billing cycle and data warning, then Start billing cycle on.

To see your monthly data usage on Pixel phones, go to Settings, Network & internet, then SIMs. You can choose which date you’d like your data usage stats to be reset under App data usage cycle. The process is similar for most other Android phones.

How to choose the right data plan

If, using the above methods, you find that you’re paying for more data than you actually use, you’ll want to choose a data plan that better fits your needs.

I suggest choosing a data allowance that sits a gigabyte or two above your monthly average, unless the provider in question makes it easy (and affordable) to add more data to the plan as and when needed. “It’s also important to account for occasional high-usage months, as well as factors such as Wi-Fi access and travel habits, when choosing the right allowance,” Banhans adds.

Some network providers allow you to ‘rollover’ unused data so it can be used in another month, but this shouldn’t be seen as a reason to choose a data allowance that far exceeds your real-world monthly average: “While rollover data is often presented as a solution to unused data allowances, the extra data frequently goes unused and eventually expires unless a customer’s usage varies significantly from month to month.”

In some cases, unused rollover data can be converted into money off new plans or device contracts, but these savings are often laughably small compared to the money you’ll have overspent on accruing that rollover data in the first place.

So, in summary, while unlimited and large-capacity data plans are attractive options for many people, network providers rely on consumer ignorance to sell these often excessive packages. If you put in the small amount of work required to determine your actual monthly data usage — using the methods outlined in this article — you could save hundreds over the course of a year.

• AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon are working together to offer standardized satellite connectivity
• It would benefit customers not covered by cell towers, like in national parks
• Operators globally are looking to use satellite for more than emergencies, now

In a rare turn of events, three of the biggest mobile carriers in the US have announced they will be working together to tackle 'dead zones' across the country using satellites.

The joint venture, formed by AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, should help to improve connectivity in areas where traditional towers can fail, such as national parks and highways.

Satellites could also provide continuity in disaster-struck regions, where land-based infrastructure damages can cause widespread outages.

Satellite technology to eliminate dead zones

Because the joint venture's plan revolves around direct-to-device satellite tech, it would mean that regular smartphone could access signal in rural areas without consumers needing to buy specific satellite phones. While many phones now offer limited services via satellite, it's hoped that the scheme would make roaming between cellular and satellite networks more seamless.

"Having launched the first nationwide, satellite-powered direct-to-device network for text and data, we’ve seen firsthand how critical reliable connectivity can be when America needs it most," T-Mobile CEO Srini Gopalan commented.

T-Mobile already partners with SpaceX, which has been expanding its footprint across voice and data services on top of earlier emergency texting functionalities. AT&T and Verizon also have partnerships with AST SpaceMobile for their satellite services.

The announcement comes amid a broader global shift, whereby satellite networks are becoming more tightly integrated with regular 5G and 6G cell connections, instead of being a separate emergency-only tool.

As well as improving coverage and performance for customers, the joint venture also anticipates industry benefits, such as industry-wide device compatibility and an easier way for mobile network operators (MNOs) to integrate satellite connectivity for their customers.

The agreement in principle is yet to be confirmed, pending regulatory approval and confirmation of the finer details.

• BT reveals host of new offerings for businesses and consumer users across the UK
• Business users will now get free security tools as part of BT contract
• BT also selected as official telecoms partner of Euro 2028

BT has announced a host of new updates and upgrades for its customers across the UK, as well as revealing it has been chosen as the official telecommunications partner for the upcoming Euro 2028 football tournament.

Launching a new "Behind Brilliant Things" at London's Wembley Stadium, the company unveiled a host of new announcements as it looks to continue its role as a mainstay of UK connectivity.

Along with its Euro 2028 news, the company also revealed the comeback of its BT Mobile brand, new eSIM offerings, and extra security tools for business and customer accounts.

Euro 2028 and more

"As the connector of the country, BT really matters, especially when it comes to events that connect the country, unite the country and showcase the country to the rest of the world," noted Allison Kirkby, Chief Executive, BT Group.

Since the start of the decade, BT has been the single biggest investor of all FTSE companies into UK infrastructure, she added, with the group spending £25 billion to become "digital backbone" of the country in what Kirkby called "a once in a generation investment."

This puts BT on track to reach more than 90% of UK homes and businesses by the end of the decade - a major rise from the current two-thirds.

The company already connects over a million businesses across the UK, along with public sector partners, making it a crucial ally for firms around the country.

"BT really is the only UK operator with the ability, the security expertise, and the operational resilience that can deliver connectivity of this magnitude across the UK," added Jon James, CEO Business.

"BT is trusted every day to deliver the services that help the UK succeed."

In order to help maintain this success, James revealed "a significant upgrade" to the security tools BT offers business customers across the UK, who will now receive Cyber Threat Protect, a new security solution powered by CrowdStrike, free of charge.

"BT is delivering big security for small and medium businesses, at a time when cybercrime has never been more worrying," James added.

Set to be held across 9 cities and broadcast to over 2 billion fans worldwide, Kirkby noted how Euro 2028 offers BT a huge opportunity to show off the state of its network, as well as providing a lasting technology legacy to continue after the tournament.

"Only BT could be behind moments," she said, adding , "you can't always see it, but we're there...trusted to connect homes, businesses and communities, trusted to protect families, organizations and critical public services, and trusted to supercharge the UK - powering progress, so everyone can thrive in this digital age."

In news that is both ridiculous yet unsurprising, Australia’s telecommunications sweetheart, Telstra, has announced it will be raising prices across its postpaid and prepaid plans from May 5, 2026.

Most postpaid plans will go up by AU$4 per month, while prepaid plans can expect a AU$5 monthly increase.

This is the second price hike in less than 12 months, with the previous one coming in July 2025 when most plans increased by around AU$5 a month. Telstra’s NBN plans were also affected by the previous price increases but, as it currently stands, they’re unaffected this time round.

The changes to postpaid plans are as follows:

As you’ll see, the Premium plan is unaffected by the price increase, but elsewhere there are hikes of up to AU$4 per month.

In the case of prepaid plans, the increases vary depending on plan length. Telstra’s six-month and 12-month plans, for example, are going up by AU$20 and AU$45 respectively. However, as a small gesture of goodwill, Telstra is increasing the amount of data included with these plans. The full range of prepaid plans with new pricing is as follows:

As tends to be the case with any price increase across any service, Telstra says they’re necessary to help “ongoing investment in our mobile network infrastructure, enabling innovation and the rollout of new features that expand connectivity options for customers”. The telco touts its rollout of satellite-to-mobile messaging — which could prove invaluable to customers beyond the range of Telstra’s mobile network — as being a prime example of said innovation.

Time to change?

If you’re a Telstra customer and feel these price increases are a bit of a slap in the face, then the good news is that you can still gain access to much of the telco’s expansive network coverage while paying an awful lot less.

Whether you prefer a postpaid or a prepaid plan, there are several options available from smaller telcos, called MVNOs, who use what is known as the Wholesale Network. You can view our guide to the best mobile plans on the Telstra network for more information.

This is technically different to the full, main network that direct Telstra customers enjoy. The main differences tend to be a cap on the download speed you can achieve — usually between 100Mbps and 250Mbps — and they offer slightly less in the way of network coverage. However, it’s likely only people in extremely remote parts of Australia that would be affected by this change.

For everyone else, there’s plenty of value to be found and money to be saved by switching to a different provider, and I’ve picked out my three favourites below. Alternatively, if you want to consider switching networks, be sure to check out my guide to the best SIM-only plans.

If you’ve been running out of mobile data a lot on your current phone plan but don’t want to shell out more cash on a bigger data plan, then this deal from Tangerine Mobile may be what you’ve been looking for.

For a limited time, Tangerine is slashing the price of its SIM-only 5G plans by 50% for the first four months, starting with AU$15 per month for its base 30GB plan. The plan will then revert back to $30 from the fifth month onwards.

Moreover, each plan will also get double data for the first six months as well, boosting that base plan to 60GB for the period.

This deal above also beats our choice for the cheapest 365-day plan on the Telstra network, which is from Boost Mobile. Boost’s offering is for 240GB for AU$300, while Tangerine’s aforementioned plan, when extrapolated through a full year, provides 540GB of mobile data for the same amount. That averages out to AU$25 for 45GB per month.

Tangerine Mobile SIM plans also include a 1000GB data bank, allowing you to reserve any unused monthly data to accrue for use when needed later.

If you really want to push your data usage and easily fill up that data bank, the top Tangerine SIM-only plan will net you a whopping 320GB of mobile data for the first 6 months for AU$30 per month (and then AU$60 after four months, which is still a lot of data for that price!).

You won’t get this deal directly from Telstra, so if coverage is important to you, then this offer is hard to pass up.

If you've been waiting for Black Friday in the hopes of snagging the all-new iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone Air at a discounted price, Vodafone's Black Friday sale is answering your call.

Vodafone's SIM plans are receiving AU$14 p/m discounts for Cyber Weekend – knocking its small and medium plans to just AU$39 and AU$49 for the first 12 months, respectively. On top of that, they've also had their data doubled to 120GB and 400GB over your entire chosen contract.

All that gets even better when you pair your chosen plan with one of the new phones. While there is no discount on the device itself, the limited-time AU$14 p/m discount extends for the full 36-month term when paired with a new Apple handset – saving you a total of AU$504. Already a great option if you're looking to avoid large up-front payments, this deal is very hard to ignore.

While the double data and discount make it a lot more attractive, the biggest downside to this deal for some will be the lock-in contract. However, beggars can't be choosers when it comes to iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro deals.

We've been hunting all the best Black Friday sales, and it's pretty slim pickings on the iPhone deals – and basically radio silence regarding outright discounts on Apple's latest suite of smartphones.

The only outright iPhone 17 deal we've found is a weak AU$100 off the iPhone 17 Pro through Amaysim – which results in just AU$70 off once you pair it with the required plan.

And, while we have our fingers crossed for sweeter Black Friday iPhone sales, we're doubtful.

If you're looking to upgrade your iPhone, but don't necessarily need the best of the best, Vodafone is running a similar deal on the budget-focused iPhone 16e.

Telstra is increasing the prices of several mobile and internet plans, the same week that the telco has come under fire from competitor Vodafone for "misleading" coverage maps.

Until May 2025, Telstra had failed to mention that its coverage maps, claimed to cover 99.7 per cent of the population, were also based on the coverage of external antennas and boosters, many of which are purchased by customers living in remote locations.

Telstra’s biggest competitors don’t base coverage expectations on access to such tech, and Vodafone has now referred Telstra to the ACCC. The Telstra website has been updated to reflect the use of antennas and boosters where relevant.

Later in the week, the orange telco announced that some plans are going up by as much as AU$7 in some cases, while some of the most expensive NBN plans are actually having their prices decreased. Telstra mobile broadband plans are all getting price hikes, with the Medium plan getting a data allowance increase.

The price increases can be found below and will be live from July 1. Premium and Starter mobile plans aren’t changing, along with the Starter (12Mbps) NBN plan.

Postpaid plans:

Mobile broadband plans:

NBN plans:

Is it time to consider a Telstra alternative?

Australia’s largest telco continues to control a larger coverage footprint than Optus and Vodafone even without boosters and antennas – and even if they didn’t, you’d likely only notice major coverage deadzones outside of major cities and towns.

It’s obviously troubling that Telstra has calculated its coverage footprint using technology not factored in by its major competitors, but as the telco points out, there is no industry standard for calculating coverage – so perhaps there's a good case for establishing enforced coverage mapping practices here.

For the average consumer, the price increases are more alarming, as they’ll affect users across the entire country. Though none of these price increases are too dramatic and the highest is only a AU$7 rise, Telstra still charges far more for its plans than any of its competitors.

Time to ditch Telstra?

I can confidently say that there are Telstra alternatives that you should consider, and I’d recommend checking out the best phone plans and the best NBN plans if you’re looking to save some money.

All of this said, these price increases aren’t too surprising. Price changes every year or so are common among Australian telcos, and we’ve been anticipating price adjustment across NBN plans for some time now with wholesale costs set to increase from July.

But at this point, Telstra’s plans are far out of step with almost all of the company’s competitors. Spending AU$93 on an NBN 25 plan seems ludicrous when you can get the same speed tier for only AU$39p/m from Flip with its introductory price. And AU$113 for NBN 100? That’s a jaw-dropping cost, especially when Spintel will only set you back AU$65p/m (AU$81.95 after six months) for the same speed tier.

The same can easily be said for mobile phone plans. Even though Telstra tends to offer huge data allowances with its postpaid options, you’ll still save a lot more with most other telcos – including those that use the Telstra network – especially if you're willing to go without a big data inclusion.

Telstra’s competitive edge has always been the company’s included perks and features, including the Telstra Smart Modem with 4G backup for NBN customers and unlimited (speed-capped) data on phone plans. These inclusions might not mean much to you however, especially in the face of a great saving.

We’ve included a snapshot of the most popular NBN plans in the table below, and further down you’ll find the most popular phone plan alternatives.

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When TPG Telecom (Vodafone’s parent company) partnered with Optus for a network-sharing deal in September 2024, we were confident that it would transform the mobile game for anyone living in rural Australia. Now boasting a network that covers 98.4% of Australians, Vodafone's reach matches Optus and only falls just short of Telstra's 99.7% – meaning that Vodafone is now a legitimate option for rural Aussies.

But it's not just rural areas benefitting – according to The Australian, Vodafone has seen a 30% increase in sign-ups in Sydney and Melbourne, and up to 80% nationwide thanks to its upgraded network and new range of discounted plans with double data – starting at 100GB for AU$39 a month.

It's hardly surprising they’ve taken off given Optus' cheapest SIM plan provides 50GB for AU$55 p/m (after a recent price increase), while Telstra's 50GB Basic plan is AU$65 p/m – making Vodafone the clear choice, particularly if you’re looking to pair a new phone and SIM plan.

If you're set for a device though, the array of SIM-only options from smaller Aussie telcos (also called MVNOs, or mobile virtual network operators) are even more attractive – allowing you to take advantage of Vodafone's improved network for even less than going direct. With plans from Vodafone MVNOs starting at just AU$8 per month, we’ve taken the liberty of rounding up a few of our favourite deals available right now.

Best cheap plan

Best plans for most people

Best high-data plan

Best unlimited data plan

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After raising the price of its prepaid plans back in March, Optus' postpaid plans have now been given a price hike too, although data inclusions increasing at the same time as a form of consolation.

The new entry price for an Optus postpaid plan is AU$55 p/m for 50GB data – that’s the Small Choice Plus plan, which was previously priced at AU$52 p/m for 50GB data. As a side note, one member of the TechRadar AU team is currently on the Small Choice Plan and has been told they'll receive 70GB of data when the price increases take effect. We've not seen the same change on Optus' website at the time of writing, but we'll update this piece if that changes.

The Medium Choice Plus plan has also gone up to AU$65 p/m for 200GB data (previously AU$62 for 180GB) and the Large Choice Plus plan has risen to AU$85 p/m for 400GB (previously AU$82 for 360GB).

The Promo plan, which includes 360GB data for AU$69 p/m (for 12 months, then AU$79 p/m), has not been changed.

New customers will pay these prices going forward. As for current customers, these price increases will take effect on June 4, 2025.

Inclusions have not been changed – customers can still receive 10% off eligible SubHub subscriptions and will continue to save AU$15 p/m on Optus Sport, along with unlimited international talk and text to 35 countries.

With prices increased by AU$3 per month across the affected plans, Optus remains the middle telco between Telstra and Vodafone when it comes to affordability. Telstra’s plans start at AU$65 p/m for 50GB, while Vodafone plans start at AU$39 p/m (for 12 months, then AU$49) for 100GB (normally 50GB and available until withdrawn).

Should you switch providers?

Optus’ mobile plans include generous data allocations across the board, and among the plans that the telco offers, the unchanged Promo plan remains an attractive option for its cost-to-data ratio.

That being said, prices have gone up across the other postpaid plans, and with a cost of living crisis gripping Australian households, those high costs might put people off the teal telco.

On top of this, while Optus has increased data limits with this price increase, it’s worth keeping in mind that, according to the ACCC, Australians use 17.4GB of data per month on average with a postpaid plan (and 9GB with prepaid). While Optus is offering a healthy chunk of data with each of these plans, it may be out of step with your usage habits.

So in the interest of saving money, we’ve selected three alternatives on the Optus network that you should consider. We've also got a more complete list of the best phone plans in Australia if you want to venture away from the Optus network.

If you're in the market for a new smartphone, check out our guide to the best cheap phones in Australia.

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With Australia's big-three telcos and major MVNOs like TPG and Amaysim often stealing the mobile-plan limelight, you might not have heard of Yomojo. But no matter what kind of phone plan you're after, Yomojo likely has something suitable – and at a far more affordable price than the big three.

In November, Yomojo will celebrate 10 years of providing Australians with phone plans and mobile broadband – and it's looking to make its anniversary one to celebrate. Recently acquired and now helmed by former Exetel exec James Linton, Yomojo is looking to challenge both the major and minor telcos, and it's started by revising its phone plans – and offering them all at a serious discount.

Already offering competitive prices with some of the best SIM-only plans on the market, Yomojo is slashing 50% off the first three months on its four SIM plans – which now includes the cheapest entry cost in Australia thanks to its AU$9.95/8GB plan. That’s not the only noteworthy plan on offer though. There are two other plans we think are worth highlighting – one to suit the average value-hunting Aussie, alongside one for data-hungry power users.

Yomojo is a TechRadar preferred partner (What does that mean?)

While these introductory deals rival the best on the market, they’re not the only way that Yomojo can help you save. For example, you can save up to a further 15% off your total monthly bill by bundling your plans together with family and/or friends. Cutting 2.5% off the price of your bill with each plan added, here's how the savings would break down if you were to earn the full 15% by grabbing dad an 8GB plan, mum a 25GB plan, 40GB for your three siblings and the 100GB SIM plan for yourself.

Bringing the monthly price of these six plans down to just AU$156.71p/m from the regular price of AU$184.40, that AU$27.69 saving would add up to AU$332.28 over 12 months – and you could save as much as AU$539.28 depending on your chosen plans.

So, not only does Yomojo's most premium plan (100GB for AU$49.90p/m) blow the next-best major telco offering out of the water (Vodafone’s 50GB for AU$49 plan), but you can save even more just by involving your family members. The potential discounts don’t end there either, as referring a friend to sign up for a Yomojo plan will earn you both AU$20 off your next bill.

Taking advantage of the Optus cellular network, which offers the fastest speeds in Australia even if the plans above cap out at 150Mbps, all of Yomojo's plans include 4G connectivity. Plan cycles run on a 30-day renewal cycle and have no excess data fees if you go over your limit – though you will need to buy extra data if you want to keep browsing. (Extra data is priced at AU$11 for 1GB and AU$20 for 2GB.)

If you’re after a simple, fast and affordable mobile service, Yomojo’s competitive plans are absolutely worth a look – particularly with the current 50%-off introductory deal. Better hurry though, as this promo ends on 31 March, 2025.

The Australian Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman (TIO) has confirmed a 13% increase in complaints made by Australian consumers and small businesses against mobile and internet providers since the previous quarter, with the change largely spurred by Telstra and Optus 3G network shutdowns.

The Ombudsman reported that complaints over the October-December quarter relating to 3G involved problems with mobile services reliability increased by 23.2% since the prior reporting period. These complaints were attributed to a lack of phone or internet service, partially restricted service, and poor mobile coverage. Complaints regarding 3G dropped off in December compared to November and October.

“It is encouraging to see the drop-off in 3G shutdown complaints in December, yet we are continuing to hear from people in rural and regional Victoria who are facing ongoing challenges,” Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman Cynthia Gebert said. “I implore the telcos to keep working on solutions that ensure equal access to reliable phone and internet service for all people in Australia.”

In specific complaint categories, ‘no phone or internet service’ saw the largest increase in complaints, up by 44.1%, followed by ‘intermittent service or dropouts’, which rose by 21.1%. In total, 15,297 complaints were recorded by the Ombudsman, representing a 5.6% rise in complaints since the same quarter in 2023.

The good news is that a total of AU$587,280 was returned to consumers through financial outcomes – where a service provider may offer financial compensation for a lacklustre service.

Telstra led the most complaints this quarter with 5,591 issues relating to its service, followed by Optus (3,846) and Vodafone (1,270).

What should I do if I’m unsatisfied with my service?

TIO has an extremely important role in the Australian telecommunications landscape, as it fields complaints from consumers and attempts to bring upon a positive resolution. If you feel that your internet or phone service in Australia is unsatisfactory (such as having been overcharged or not getting the service you paid for), you absolutely should complain to the Ombudsman.

If you feel that you’re not getting good value out of your service, it pays to compare. Our team of experts keep track of the best phone plans in Australia and the best NBN plans in Australia, offering a wide range of options for all types of users and budgets.

If you’ve been affected by the 3G shutdown, you may have a device that’s incompatible with 4G or 5G. We recommend checking out our guides to the best phones in Australia and the best cheap phones in Australia for a handset that suits your budget and lifestyle.

You’ll find some of the most popular mobile plans with TechRadar Australia readers below, offering an interesting snapshot into the kinds of costs and data limits you can expect from different providers across Australia.

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In September 2024, we reported that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) decided not to oppose an agreement between Optus and TPG Telecom, the owner of Vodafone, that aimed to revolutionise mobile services in regional Australia. The most significant outcome of this partnership was that it allowed TPG (and by extension Vodafone) to use the Optus regional infrastructure network to expand its 4G and 5G coverage. Less than five months on, it has achieved just that.

Before this partnership, Vodafone's network only covered 400,000 square kilometres, which meant it reached 95.4% of the population. As of January 30, the Vodafone network now boasts a coverage that reaches 98.4% of the population and has expanded to 1,000,000 square kilometres across Australia.

Other than giving current Vodafone customers the ability to travel without worrying about their mobile connectivity, the biggest benefit of this increased national coverage is that it makes Vodafone a much more realistic choice for regional Australians, many of whom previously only had the often more expensive options of Telstra or Optus to choose from.

How does the Optus-TPG network-sharing deal work?

For years, Telstra has offered the broadest coverage in Australia and in 2022 there was actually a similar proposal for a network-sharing deal between Telstra and TPG, although it was denied once by the ACCC and a second time upon appeal by the Australian Competition Tribunal.

The Tribunal stated that the deal would provide Telstra with "competitive benefits and would further increase Telstra’s position of market strength in mobile telecommunications markets". One reason why this Optus-TPG deal was allowed is because, as stated by TPG CEO Inaki Berroeta, it creates "a new era of choice and competition for customers across regional Australia".

The core of this deal is the establishment of what’s known as a Multi Operator Core Network (MOCN) in regional Australia, which just means the two providers share parts of their network. And, while Vodafone/TPG and its many mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) should see significant benefits in terms of where their subscribers can get a signal , Optus hasn't partnered with TPG just to be nice.

Late last year, Optus was crowned the fastest mobile network and through this agreement it gained licensing to the TPG spectrum within the MOCN, allowing it to increase the capacity, quality and speed of its network for regional customers. When this deal was struck, Optus CEO Michael Venter also stated that it should see "the rollout of 5G infrastructure to be completed by around two years earlier than previously planned".

So, what are the current changes?

For now, the only definitive change of note is that Vodafone's network coverage has expanded, and it's important to remember that it's not just Vodafone that is affected – but any smaller MVNO telcos that use it as well, such as TPG and iiNet.

Vodafone has a whole page dedicated to its coverage expansion, letting you explore your local network by state to see how it's changed. For example, in terms of footprint, coverage in New South Wales and the ACT has doubled, while South Australia has tripled and Vodafone's coverage in Queensland has quadrupled.

There are currently no plans from Vodafone to increase the price of its plans to match its improved network and customers don't need to do anything to gain access to the expanded coverage. If you're interested, you can explore Vodafone's mobile plans to see what's best for you.

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• Vodafone has just passed a major landmark for satellite video calls
• It's demoed a "space video call" using a standard smartphone
• The service will roll out later this year, though there's no pricing yet

Vodafone has announced that it's hit a new milestone in the race to end frustrating cellular 'dead zones' – with what it's calling the "world's first space video call" using a standard mobile phone from "an area of no coverage."

Those qualifiers are important because Starlink and T-Mobile demoed a video call made through X (formerly Twitter) using unmodified phones last year. So Vodafone's claim is specific to making video calls from areas like the remote part of Wales where its demo took place.

Still, it's certainly a significant moment and a big step on Vodafone's path towards adding satellite connectivity to its network by the end of this year in the UK and across Europe "from later in 2025 and 2026."

Rather than replacing existing networks, direct-to-mobile satellite connectivity aims to be a helpful extension that could eliminate "not spots" (or dead zones) in rural areas and also, according to Vodafone, "vast stretches of surrounding sea."

Vodafone claims that its satellite experience "mirrors the experience of existing 4G and 5G mobile networks", although the demo phone call (which you can watch in the video below) certainly showed evidence of lag and low-res footage. We may have to wait for the full roll-out to get a better idea of quality.

The service is provided by BlueBird satellites from Vodafone's partner (and SpaceX rival) AST SpaceMobile. The system is based on five satellites and Vodafone calls it "the first and only mobile broadband network in space" that works directly with standard smartphones.

Rivals systems, like T-Mobile and Starlink's, are currently limited to text messages, although video calls and mobile data are on the roadmap. With AT&T and Verizon also working with AST SpaceMobile to provide a similar service in the US, satellite calling looks ready to take off globally in 2025.

How much will it cost?

The big unknown of Vodafone's satellite connectivity and rival systems is how much they'll cost. Vodafone hasn't yet commented on pricing, only stating that it'll start rolling out the service "following further tests this Spring" (so between March and June).

The need for satellite coverage, particularly video calls, depends greatly on where you live. In the UK, Ofcom has estimated that 9% of the country "lacks good quality 4G coverage from any operator". But those who live in urban areas will also be familiar with phone network "dead zones" caused by interruptions between cell towers.

Apple's iPhones and now Android phones like the Google Pixel 9 series have received free Emergency SOS Satellite features, which can be potential lifesavers. iOS 18 also introduced the ability to text anyone via a satellite connection, plus the option of getting roadside assistance.

It's possible that those services will eventually need a subscription, but Apple hasn't started charging yet. So, the question for mobile networks like Vodafone is how many people will need full mobile broadband via satellite compared to the emergency features that are currently available for free from Apple.

Still, we're not complaining about getting more connectivity options, and competition will hopefully drive the prices of satellite-based services down in the long term.

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A new report from Opensignal has awarded Optus with its seventh consecutive win on 5G download speeds, and put the telco well ahead of both Telstra and Vodafone across several categories.

During the recording period between July 1 and Sep 28, Optus saw the fastest average 5G download speeds, measured at 209.1Mbps. The teal telco was far ahead of Telstra and Vodafone, at 177.7Mbps and 162.9Mbps respectively.

Optus also came out on top for video experience, 5G video experience, gaming experience, 5G download speeds and consistent quality (a measurement of if the network is sufficient to support common mobile app requirements at a ‘good enough’ level of quality).

“We know how valuable a strong network is for our customers who use their devices in so many aspects of their lives,” an Optus spokesperson said. “So much work goes into the network, so we are incredibly proud to win these awards.”

Optus and Vodafone scooped up joint wins for 5G gaming experience, 5G upload speeds and network availability (a measurement of the proportion of time people have a network connection in the places they regularly visit). Vodafone won for download speed experience (including 4G and soon to be phased out 3G), upload speed experience and 5G availability.

“Our Vodafone users continue to observe the fastest overall average download speeds in Australia,” Opensignal wrote in its report.

In last place for awards received was Telstra, though the blue and orange telco scooped up wins for coverage experience and 5G coverage experience, with Opensignal assessing the extent of mobile networks in populated areas of Australia and the experience users receive. Telstra’s score of 9.5/10 was leagues ahead of Optus and Vodafone, scoring 8.3 and 6.4.

“This means Telstra has the widest and largest geographic footprint of coverage in populated areas out of all mobile operators in Australia,” Opensignal wrote.

So should I switch to Optus?

Opensignal’s report is a useful indicator of network quality, and across the most categories, Optus is the winner, particularly when it comes to network consistency and 5G experience – a category in which Optus won all four awards (two of which tied with Vodafone).

But obviously Vodafone’s win for download experience isn’t one to be ignored, especially with the telco offering the cheapest plans among the three network providers. Telstra’s wins on coverage experience are also not to be scoffed at, more so if you live in a regional or rural area, though it offers the most expensive plans of the big three.

And that’s probably the most important factor for most people when considering a phone plan. Telstra’s cheapest postpaid plan costs AU$65p/m and 50GB of included data, while Optus’ is AU$52p/m for 50GB and Vodafone’s is AU$49p/m for 50GB. All these plans technically include unlimited data, with speedcaps enforced after the 50GB threshold.

Considering its results in the recent Opensignal report, it might be worth considering Optus as the ‘best of both worlds’ choice – a high level of quality across several areas with a price tag in between Vodafone and Telstra. Vodafone may also be worth considering as the economic choice, but we’d also recommend checking out the best phone plans and the best SIM-only plans, as you’ll likely find a better deal from a smaller provider.

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Telstra and Optus have come together to announce an extension to their 3G network shutdowns in order to allow users more time to upgrade and conduct a public awareness campaign. The new shutdown date for 3G via both Telstra and Optus is October 28, 2024.

Previously, the 3G networks offered by Australia’s two largest telcos were set to shut down much earlier – as early as June and September for Telstra and Optus respectively – but now the telcos will be working together to ensure affected customers understand what this shutdown means for them. Vodafone already shut down its Australian 3G network in late 2023.

“Both carriers are confident they’ve exhausted every avenue of customer communication available to them, and this additional public awareness campaign will ensure that the upcoming 3G closures are front of mind for all Australians,” the telcos said in a joint statement.

“From experience, both Telstra and Optus know there will always be customers who are aware of the closures, but who won’t take the action they need to before the closures for a range of reasons. Sometimes the actual closure is the only motivation that works.”

The 3G infrastructure used by both Telstra and Optus will be repurposed to bolster coverage of the 4G and 5G bands.

Who will the 3G shutdown impact?

Speaking broadly, this shutdown shouldn’t affect most phone users. If your mobile is capable of accessing the 4G or 5G network, then you’ll likely have no need to worry – though you can expect to no longer see the ‘3G’ icon in the corner of your screen come the end of October. It might even serve as a motivator to upgrade to a 5G-capable device, if you’ve got an older handset that cusps the edge of the 3G-to-4G era.

If you’re looking for a new 4G and 5G capable phone, finding one is easy. You can compare phone plans across networks, plan inclusions and devices with our own dedicated tools, or you can read up on the best phones in Australia. If you don’t want to break the bank, then it’s worth checking out our guide to the best budget phones in Australia.

If you have a particularly old device, Telstra and Optus have both announced initiatives to upgrade phones and offer deals ahead of the network shutdowns. You can also check if your phone will be affected by texting the number ‘3’ to 3498.

The shutdown will, however, have an adverse effect on medical devices that are 3G-reliant. If you or somebody you know is using a medical device that requires access to a mobile network in case of an emergency, you can check on the AMTA website to see if the medical equipment will be impacted – just bring the IMEI number of the device.

The shutdown will also have an oversized impact on people in rural and remote communities, particularly First Nations communities, according to RMIT. If you have loved ones that live in regional or rural Australia, it’s worth checking up on them to make sure they won’t be bitten by this closure, and take any actions they can to mitigate the impact.

Read more about the 3G shutdown in Australia

It’s travel season! Your flight is booked, you’ve packed your luggage—you even remembered the sunscreen. You’re ready to go, but there’s one essential thing you do not want to forget before you jet off into the sunset. A data package from Nomad eSIM is the travel must-have that ensures you stay connected to your favorite apps and people no matter where the wanderlust takes you. Nomad eSIM makes buying regional data connections easy and affordable, freeing you from costly roaming fees. 

Nomad eSIM offers local data connectivity that is ready when you are 

The fear of being disconnected in a strange place or risk racking up an extremely high mobile bill can damper the excitement of traveling. There’s always the option of tracking down and purchasing a local SIM card, but if you often travel or experience jet lag, the last thing you want to do is go on an unguided trek through airport shops. Not to mention the waste of having unusable SIM cards floating around in your luggage after you return home. Even if you do find a local SIM card, you’ve got the hassle of hoping you have a key for your phone to access the SIM card port. It's dreadfully inconvenient, but it doesn’t have to be. 

Nomad eSIM is an app you can download on your smartphone that allows you to access roaming-free local data in 170 countries, with prices starting at just $0.98/GB—lower than local SIM rates. Conveniently compatible with an array of tablets, laptops, and smartphones—including the latest from iPhone, Samsung, and Google Pixel—Nomad eSIM gives you the ability to purchase only the data you need, when and where you need it. 

A data plan from Nomad eSIM can even be used as a tether or hot spot between multiple devices. It's as easy as purchasing a data plan via the Nomad eSIM app, installing the eSIM via QR Code, and activating the plan when you are ready to start using it. Nomad believes in the power of redundancy. By providing more than 1 local network provider in every country, users always have options to connect in case coverage is bad in different locations.

Nomad eSIM provides data usage tracking tools on both the Nomad app and the Nomad website. Both platforms allow you to manage your eSIMs and check for things like data usage, how much data you have left, and how long until your plan expires. There are no hidden fees with Nomad, either. Your data plan is stopped when your devices reach the limit of available data for that plan.

Nomad eSIM is as affordable as it is convenient 

Roaming fees for data can rack up some serious charges on your phone bill. While some other data companies offer convenient roaming data packages starting at $10 a day, it can still be expensive, with spotty connectivity that just isn’t worth the cost. Nomad offers a more convenient and affordable means of staying connected that doesn’t require you to switch out your phone’s SIM card or pay an exorbitant fee for a lesser connection. Nomad data plans are 20-40% cheaper than the competition and benefit from a partnership with numerous connectivity providers globally. Nomad strives to have more than one local provider in each of the 170 countries to ensure that your connection is always as strong as possible.

Are you really travel-ready without Nomad eSIM? 

We all want to share our adventures and travel photos with friends and family via social media. Data connectivity can also be vital for finding restaurants, shopping, and things to do while in a new location. Nomad eSIM offers day packages, weekly options, and even month-long connectivity packages for data, and you can add on to your plan as you see fit. With Nomad, you can share photos and videos of your trips, make video calls with FaceTime or Facebook Messenger, or even work remotely on your own terms without incurring roaming fees or unforeseen charges. An eSIM from Nomad just may be the most important thing in your travel bag this season.

Vodafone hiked the prices of its current phone plans back in January of this year, and now the telco has announced it’s once again increasing the cost of its mobile plans. This time, however, Vodafone’s existing customers will be hit with an increase of AU$4 a month.

What this means is the majority of Vodafone’s existing customers who have been with the telco since before the January 2024 price rise – which only affected new customers – will soon pay AU$4 more a month. Vodafone says the increase will take effect from April 5.

While the majority of Vodafone’s legacy customers will soon pay more for their phone service, the telco says it will also provide more data to those affected. Customers will receive an extra 10GB of data every month at a minimum, while some users will get up to 60GB of additional data.

Vodafone hasn’t specified exactly which plans are going up in price, but that’s because there are hundreds of legacy plans that are impacted. In some cases, those that are affected may still be paying less than the cost of Vodafone’s current plans after the price rise.

For example, I’m currently a Vodafone customer who pays AU$40 a month for 80GB of data. After the price increase, I’ll be paying AU$44 a month for 90GB of data. It’s not the best offer out there, so I’ve hunted around for some better alternatives.

My recommendations are below, but you can also read our guide to the best SIM-only plans for more options, or see the best Vodafone mobile plans if you want to get a new device on a plan.

Best alternative for most people

Best alternative on Optus network

Best alternative on Telstra network

Best alternative on Vodafone network

Looking for more alternatives? Here’s a look at some SIM-only plans for well under AU$40 a month.

Kogan Mobile has just dropped one of the best SIM-only deals we’ve seen in some time, with a buy one, get one free offer on its 365-day long-expiry phone plans, netting you and one other person a substantial amount of data – 300GB or 500GB – for very little investment.

The buy one, get one free deal applies to Kogan Mobile’s Large and Extra Large 365-day SIM-only plans and is only valid until 11.59pm AEDT on Monday March 11, 2024, so you’ll need to be quick if you want to take advantage of this sensational deal.

As part of the deal you can get two 300GB plans for AU$270 or two 500GB plans for AU$300. Breaking this upfront cost down, it means you and one other can receive 25GB of monthly data for the equivalent of AU$11.25p/m on the Large plan; or 40GB of data each month for the equivalent of AU$12.50.

Kogan Mobile gives you the option of receiving all 300GB of data in one hit (known as the Flex plan), or to spread it out in 30 day increments. If you’re a data-hungry user, we’d advise opting for the latter option to save you using all 300GB before the 365-day period expires.

The same applies to the 500GB Extra Large plan whereby you can elect to receive all 500GB upfront, or have it spread out in 40GB increments, working out to be AU$12.50p/m. If you use up your monthly data before the month’s end, you’ll need to wait until the next month starts to gain access to data once again.

Do note that while you do get two SIM cards (you have the choice of physical or eSIM), one person will need to stump up the initial AU$270 or AU$300 cost. We’d suggest you split the cost with someone you trust to ensure you get paid back half the initial outlay.

Kogan Mobile uses the Vodafone 4G network but as far as we can tell, there are no speed cap limits imposed on the service.

The offer is only valid until 11.59pm AEDT on Monday March 11, 2024, so you’ll want to be quick if you want to take advantage of this sensational deal.

Aussies submitted an increase in telco complaints in the final quarter of 2023 according to the latest report by Australia’s Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO). But, while Optus’ network outage was partially responsible, it doesn’t paint the full picture of Australia’s telco landscape.

A total of 14,671 complaints were made between October and December 2023, a 13.4% increase over the previous quarter. However, compared to the same period in 2022, this figure represents a 17.9% decrease.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Optus bore most of the brunt, with 919 complaints from customers who were directly affected by the Optus network outage which occurred on November 8. Customers who did complain did so in the hope of receiving credit towards their bills, a refunded or discounted service, some form of financial compensation or the ability to exit their contract early.

Some also just wanted an apology from Australia’s second-largest telco and while it did “apologise for any inconvenience caused,” in a post on X, formerly Twitter, many customers – along with the Federal government – said there was far too little communication throughout the day. The 919 complaints against Optus were in addition to other general complaints relating to network outages or no internet or phone service.

Optus receives most mobile complaints, but Telstra’s internet falls foul of expectation

2023 wasn’t a great year for Optus, as the TIO’s Q3 2023 report revealed the telco was lashed with a further 3,195 complaints for the January to March 2023 quarter, in relation to the data breach in 2022 which affected millions of Optus customers.

However, Optus isn’t alone in succumbing to consumer backlash. While it did expectedly receive complaints relating to its network outage, of all complaints made in Q2 2024, 31.4% were made against Optus – a 43.1% increase over Q1 2024.

But Australia’s largest telco, Telstra, received just over one-third of all complaints made – 5,394 compared to 4,612 against Optus. Complaints against Telstra also represented an increase over Q1, although a much smaller one at just under 1.4%. 

Of those complaints against Telstra, 2,255 related to mobile and 1,810 related to internet services. By comparison, Optus received 2,712 and 1,284 for the same categories.

Indeed, Optus does – according to data published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) – have a good track record when it comes to its NBN service. The telco regularly surpasses advertised plan speeds and, if it does suffer outages during monitoring periods, they’re usually swiftly resolved. Ultimately, based on data published by the TIO, neither Optus nor Australia’s gold star carrier Telstra, are immune from poor service. 

If you’re among those feeling frustrated by Optus’ mobile service, we have a guide to the best SIM-only plans that is packed with alternative recommendations for you. For a quick look at some more affordable options, see the comparison widget below.

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When searching for the best SIM-only plans, we’d hazard a guess that the most important metric to influence your decision is the amount of included data. Below the headline figure of included data, however, is an important little optional feature that often goes unnoticed – whether you can roll your unused gigs over into the next month. Known as 'data banking', it could be your answer to lowering your monthly fee without any noticeable impact on your usage or service’s inclusions. 

On postpaid plans, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has found the average Australian uses 15.9GB of data each month on the likes of social media scrolling, photo uploading and general web browsing. If you’re on a postpaid SIM plan, it could certainly be worth checking your monthly statements to see how much data you use versus what you’re paying for. You may find you use a lot less than you expect – and could therefore lower your monthly costs by switching to a cheaper mobile plan. 

In the case of some mobile carriers, paying less per month on your SIM plan doesn’t necessarily mean you have to lower the amount of data you can use, and it’s all thanks to data banking. 

• Jump straight to the best SIM-only plans with data banking

What is data banking?

You may already be very familiar with the term data banking or data rollover – and it’s relatively self-explanatory – but for the uninitiated, data banking is simply the act of being able to keep and accumulate any unused data from one month of service. Unused data is compiled with the fresh allowance of data in the next month, and unused data from the second month rolls into the third and so on. 

How can data banking benefit me?

If you use some but not all of your included monthly data, then there could be a more financially friendly SIM plan for you out there. And if there’s a month you need more data than you would normally use, you’ll have it, because it will be there in your data bank.

Best SIM-only plans with data banking

So, which SIM-only plans have the best data banking deals? We’ve sifted through dozens of options to pick out our favourites and the ones we think are most worth your money. We'd note that none of the plans below come directly from the big three telcos of Telstra, Optus or Vodafone – these larger carriers simply don't offer it. Instead, they come from smaller carriers – or mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) – which buy access to the networks of the big three and resell it, usually at a cheaper cost. 

There can be some limitations with going down this route, it should be known, such as capped download and upload speeds. But in return, you get broad access to the respective telco’s network and, of course, data banking. 

Vodafone has quietly increased the cost of its mobile plans, with each plan going up by AU$4 a month.

While the price hike only affects new customers, it’s the second time in a year that Vodafone has raised the cost of its mobile plans. Back in April 2023, the majority of Vodafone’s existing postpaid customers were hit with an increase of AU$5 a month.

Vodafone is adding more data to each plan as part of the price rise, but the price increase means that Vodafone’s mobile plans now cost the same as Optus’. Previously, Vodafone was able to distinguish itself from the big three by offering the cheapest plans – not so anymore.

The table below is a comparison of Vodafone’s old vs new pricing.

Is Vodafone still good value?

We’d argue that yes, Vodafone’s plans are still good value, particularly if you want to be with a major telco or you need a new phone you can pay off over time. Vodafone is also a good choice if you frequently travel overseas, as you only need to pay an extra AU$5 a day to use your phone plan as normal (available in over 100 countries).

While the best Vodafone mobile plans now cost the same as Optus’ offerings, you generally get more data with Vodafone – with one notable exception, Optus’ 500GB Plus plan, which costs AU$69 a month for your first 12 months, then increases to AU$89 each month ongoing.

While we think that Vodafone is still the winner in value for money among the three major telcos, it’s not the only aspect to consider when choosing a phone provider. Mobile coverage is also important, and Vodafone’s 4G and 5G footprint is smaller than both Telstra and Optus.

With that said, your options for a good-value mobile plan really open up if you consider smaller providers, known as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs). These telcos essentially buy access to one of the big three’s networks, and then resell it onto you at a cheaper price.

These telcos are great alternatives if you’ve already got a phone you’re happy with, or you can buy your next phone outright. We have a dedicated guide to the best SIM-only plans, but here’s our pick for January.

Our pick: best for most people

SIM-only deals under AU$40 a month

Looking for more alternatives? Here’s a look at some SIM-only plans for well under AU$40 a month.

Looking to switch from Optus? If you were impacted by the Optus network outage on November 8 and you’re ready to move on from the telco, we’ve gone ahead and found four alternatives for your mobile and internet needs.

Along with Optus’ mobile and NBN customers, consumers using 'virtual' mobile providers on the Optus network were also unable to access phone and data services during the 13-hours-long outage. That includes customers from Amaysim, Aussie Broadband, Coles Mobile and Moose Mobile.

The recommendations on this page are completely off the Optus network, so our picks for mobile alternatives use the Telstra network (at a much cheaper price than Telstra). Our NBN picks either come in at a much cheaper price than Optus, or offer some of the perks of Optus such as 4G backup.

Four alternatives to Optus

Best SIM-only Optus alternative

Best cheap SIM-only Optus alternative

Best cheap NBN Optus alternative

Optus NBN alternative with 4G backup

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Update (3:15pm AEDT on November 8, 2023): Optus has confirmed some of its mobile and broadband services are “gradually being restored”. In a statement, Optus said, “This may take a few hours for all services to come back on line and different services may restore at different sites over that time. No action is required and services will be automatically restored.”

Original story continues below.

Optus is experiencing a nationwide network outage, with millions of Optus’ mobile and broadband customers unable to make calls or access the internet since at least 4am AEDT on Wednesday, November 8, 2023.

The cause behind the Optus outage is not yet known, but the Optus CEO has stated there is “no indication” of another hack.

On X, formerly Twitter, Optus wrote, “We’re aware of an issue impacting Optus mobile and NBN services and are working to restore services as quickly as possible. We understand connectivity is important and apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

At 8:30am AEDT, Optus provided a further update that its teams were still working to resolve the nationwide network outage. “Our teams are working urgently to restore services. We will provide updates as soon as possible. We apologise sincerely to our customers,” it wrote on X.

The communications minister, Michelle Rowland, has said that the length of the Optus outage “would indicate potentially a deep network problem” when she appeared on the ABC’s RN Breakfast program.

Optus CEO: “no indication” of another hack

Optus CEO, Kelly Bayer Rosmarin appeared on ABC Radio Sydney and said there is “no indication” that the network outage is the result of another Optus data breach. “There is no indication that there is anything to do with cyber at this stage,” she said.

When asked what caused the Optus outage, Bayer Rosmarin said the telco was still investigating.

“Our team is still pursuing every possible avenue. We had a number of hypotheses, and each one so far that we’ve tested and put in place new actions for has not resolved the fundamental issue.”

“So we’re still working on it and when we have identified a root cause and a time for restoration we’ll be updating everybody as soon as we can,” she said.

Wide-reaching consequences

As the second-largest telco in Australia, Optus’ network outage has wide-reaching consequences. The carrier has confirmed that its landline customers are currently unable to call triple zero (000) emergency services, though mobile customers should be able to do so, as the call will be diverted to another telco network if available.

Various hospitals and healthcare facilities in Melbourne have also been impacted, along with around 400,000 of Optus’ business customers which use its mobile and broadband services to process payments and communicate.

Consumers using 'virtual' mobile providers which utilise the Optus network, such as Amaysim, Circles.Life, Coles Mobile and Moose Mobile, are also unable to access mobile call and data services during the outage.

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3G networks are set to be shut down in Australia by October 2024, with Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all confirming their final switch-off dates. With less than a year until the 3G networks are closed, it’s time to make sure you’re ready for the change. You might be impacted if you have a mobile phone that’s over seven or eight years old, while older tablets, smartwatches, ereaders and medical alert devices could also be impacted, or stop working altogether.

On this page, we’re answering commonly asked questions such as what date 3G will be shut down in Australia, what to do if you’re impacted, as well as making some recommendations of what cheap 4G and 5G mobile phones you can switch to.

What is 3G and why is it being shut down?

3G is named as such because it’s the third generation of wireless mobile technology, and it’s been around for almost 20 years. With newer and faster technologies such as 4G and 5G networks now widely available, the major telcos are preparing to start switching off and removing ageing 3G equipment across in Australia.

Once 3G is deactivated, Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have said they will repurpose the 3G radio spectrum so it can be used to expand their 4G and 5G cellular networks. That’s good news, as it could improve the capacity and speed of these newer and faster networks in Australia, making them more reliable for users.

What date will 3G be shut down?

There’s no fixed date for the 3G shutdown as a whole, but we can tell you it should be completely switched off in Australia by October 2024 (Vodafone has already shut down its 3G network). Here’s the current schedule:

• Vodafone: 3G shutdown on December 15, 2023
• Telstra: 3G shutdown on October 28, 2024
• Optus: 3G shutdown in October 28, 2024

Which phones won’t work after the 3G shutdown?

It’s difficult to provide an exhaustive list of which phones won’t work after the 3G shutdown, but Optus has released a list of the top 20 most common devices that may be affected:

• Alcatel 2038
• Alcatel OneTouch 2045
• Apple iPhone 5
• Apple iPhone 5c
• Apple iPhone 5s
• Aspera A42
• Doro 6521
• Doro PhoneEasy 623 Optus
• Google Pixel 2 XL
• Huawei E5251s-2
• Huawei E5331
• Huawei Y6 Prime
• Nokia 301
• Oppo A57
• Oppo F1s
• Oppo F5 Youth
• Optus X Smart
• Samsung Galaxy J1 Mini
• Samsung Galaxy S5
• ZTE Blade A0605

If your phone’s not on that list, you can also find out if your handset is 3G-only by contacting the manufacturer. Often the quickest way to check though, is to see what appears in your phone’s status bar when it’s not connected to Wi-Fi. If you only ever see 3G listed next to your provider's name, chances are you have a 3G phone.

I need a new cheap phone, what should I get?

So you’ve found out you’ve got a 3G phone and you want to upgrade to a 4G-ready device – what should you get? It really depends on your budget, but we’ve found basic options for as little as AU$129 outright from Vodafone. However, if you want to upgrade to a handset that offers a nice balance between great features and price, we suggest you check out our guide to the best cheap phones in Australia.

You might also want to reassess your current mobile plan to ensure you’re not paying too much. These days, there are more options out there than just Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, and it’s the smaller providers which tend to have the cheaper mobile plans. If you want a better idea of what’s currently available, head to our guides on the best SIM-only plans in Australia, or the best prepaid mobile plans if you prefer the prepaid route.

What other devices are impacted by the 3G shutdown?

It’s not just older phones that will be affected by the 3G shutdown. Some older tablets, ereaders, security systems, baby monitors and even medical alert devices which use a 3G connection may no longer work after the 3G shutdown. If you have an older version of one of these devices, get in contact with the manufacturer to check if it relies on 3G.

Some devices such as tablets and ereaders with 3G connectivity may still be able to be used, though they’ll become Wi-Fi-only devices.

How long will 4G be supported in Australia?

We don’t know for sure how long 4G will be supported in Australia, but there are currently no plans to phase it out. To give you an idea of just how prevalent 4G is, Telstra says it has more than 10,400 4G-enabled mobile base stations across Australia.

“4G is a vital part of Telstra’s mobile network and we continue to deploy new 4G coverage across Australia,” a Telstra spokesperson told us. “We do not have a closure date planned for our 4G network.”

Optus has revealed it’s partnering with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites in order to bring mobile coverage to Australia’s rural and remote black spots, with a goal of reaching nearly 100% of the country – with a few exceptions.

The new partnership comes just over a week after Telstra announced it would be joining forces with Starlink to bring better home internet to rural Aussies.

For the moment, Optus has its sights set on mobile coverage, and it’ll use Starlink satellites for hard-to-reach locations. “The connectivity pairs SpaceX’s Starlink satellite constellation with Optus’ mobile network to transmit directly to mobile phones across the country,” says Dr Sara Spangelo, SpaceX’s senior director of satellite engineering.

While an official launch date is not yet available, Optus estimates that the satellites will be able to deliver text messages by late 2024, and be used for calls and data by the end of 2025. Optus has yet to provide details on pricing or accessibility, and says the information will be available closer to launch.

Importantly, Optus says its customers won’t need a satellite phone in order to access Starlink’s mobile coverage. It anticipates that its satellite-mobile service will work with most exisiting 4G phones, and an upgrade shouldn’t be necessary for most customers. Optus says it will confirm service expectations for popular handsets closer to launch.

As for the areas where Optus won’t be bringing its satellite mobile coverage, they include the Australian Radio Quiet Zone in Western Australia (where service is not permitted) and some offshore territories and islands of Australia.

Analysis: a real challenger in rural Australia

Australia is littered with mobile black spots, and according to Optus, 60% of the country’s land mass has no mobile coverage at all. With its new partnership, Optus says it’s aiming to reach almost 100% of Australia.

“Australia’s vastness and terrain can make it difficult for any operator to provide mobile coverage everywhere it is needed – especially in remote or hard-to-reach locations,” says Optus’ managing director, Matt Williams.

But building and maintaining mobile towers while keeping up with innovation is costly business, and Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are proving to be an appealing alternative to Australia’s major telcos.

Previously, the cost outlay of gaining better coverage in rural Australia has seen the telcos turning to each other. Back in February 2022, Telstra and TPG disclosed that they had agreed to share network access in regional Australia – a deal that was eventually knocked back by the competition regulator.

Still, Telstra is currently winning the race in rural Australia, boasting the widest-reaching network in the country. But Optus’ announcement signals a serious challenger in the bush, and one that might finally give rural Aussies a second option for mobile coverage.

As we’ve mentioned, Optus isn’t the only one which has sought out the services of Starlink. Telstra revealed it was partnering with Starlink at the beginning of July, but instead of mobile coverage, it will soon start offering fixed broadband and voice services via satellite.

Telstra’s partnership with Starlink is set to arrive much sooner, however, with services set to begin as early as December this year. We’ll likely be waiting longer than that for satellite coverage to be available almost anywhere in Australia.

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Telstra is the biggest telecommunications provider in Australia, leading the nation in coverage and reaching 99.7% of Australians. However, it's no secret that the telco is nearly always the most expensive, and what's more is that its plans just got another price hike.

Yes, Telstra revealed in March its plans to raise prices on its postpaid and prepaid plans from May 5, 2026, with its Basic plan with 50GB of data now at an insane AU$74p/m. The top-tier Premium plan with 300GB of data remains at AU$99. Prepaid plans are now also as high as AU$45p/m.

For reference, Vodafone's 60GB plan only costs AU$53 p/m (and is currently discounted to AU$26.50 p/m for 6 months). Optus' comparative plan, also with 50GB of data, costs AU$55. There is no question that the other two provide better value as is, given their status as the other big names in Australian telecommunications.

If you're really set on the Telstra network and its wide coverage, then you'll want to seek out a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) that uses Telstra's infrastructure.

Fortunately, the best Telstra network mobile plans are here to help you save money, while still giving you access to unrivalled coverage.

Don't worry, you don't need to compare plans yourself – I've done the work for you. Check out the best plans on the Telstra network below. Alternatively, you can explore the best Vodafone plans and top Optus plans to see more options.

Best SIM-only plan on the Telstra network

Best cheap SIM-only plan on the Telstra network

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Telstra’s mobile network

• Basic plan: 50GB for AU$74p/m
• Essential plan: 180GB for AU$84p/m
• Premium plan: 300GB for AU$99 p/m

Telstra's mobile plans are the most expensive in Australia. Yet, despite the cost, Telstra remains an appealing choice for many due to its industry-leading coverage.

Previously, it was often the only suitable option for many regional Australians, with Optus being a distant second. However, the TPG Telecom and Optus Partnership has significantly boosted Vodafone's network coverage, making it a viable alternative for regional users.

Other Telstra network providers

There are 11 other providers which also offer full (or partial) access to Telstra’s mobile network, and most of them do so for a much cheaper price than Telstra.

Here’s a breakdown of your alternatives for Telstra network mobile plans:

Aldi Mobile

• Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network

Aldi Mobile offers prepaid plans with a 30-day expiry. All plans include unlimited data rollover, allowing users to retain unused data by recharging within 24 hours of expiry with a plan of equal or higher value.

Aldi Mobile also offers distinctive family plans, featuring shared data and allowing up to six services on a single account. If you have your own phone and want to save money, Aldi Mobile is a great low-cost option on the Telstra wholesale network.

See more: Aldi Mobile's plans

Belong

• Uses parts of the Telstra's 5G and 4G networks

Belong is owned by Telstra and is arguably the best smaller telco connected to the Telstra network. Belong also markets itself as Australia's first carbon-neutral telco, having received certification by Climate Active in 2019. If you're looking for a sustainable mobile provider, this makes Belong a worthy choice.

Each of Belong’s plans come with unlimited calls and texts to standard numbers in Australia, as well as 5G network access. Like most telcos, Belong caps speeds at 150Mbps on most plans, forcing you to pay more for its most premium plans to reach the maximum 250Mbps download speeds.

We also appreciate that Belong's mobile plans offer unlimited data banking, distinguishing them from most other Telstra MVNOs which typically cap data banking at 500GB.

See more: Belong’s plans

Boost Mobile

• Uses full Telstra network

Boost Mobile is the only provider to offer full Telstra network coverage, and it’s a much cheaper alternative than going with Telstra directly. This provider, however, only offers prepaid mobile plans – some coming with a 28-day expiry while others have a 12-month expiry.

Most of Boost Mobile’s plans include full access to Telstra’s 5G network, but depending on your plan, you might have to contend with a download speed cap. The cheaper options tend to cap download speeds ranging from 150Mbps to 250Mbps.

All of Boost Mobile’s 28-day expiry plans come with data rollover, provided you recharge before the expiry date. Boost Mobile’s plans include the basics of unlimited calls and texts to standard numbers in Australia, while some add inclusions such as unlimited calls to select countries, or included international minutes.

See more: Boost Mobile’s plans

Everyday Mobile (by Woolworths)

• Uses parts of the Telstra network

Woolworths Mobile has rebranded to Everyday Mobile and offers SIM-only and prepaid plans. These come with unlimited calls and texts, plus data banking up to 1000GB. While 5G access isn’t included by default, a free 5G trial is available on select plans, with capped speeds.

A major selling point remains its 10% off a single grocery shop each month when linked to an Everyday Rewards account. For example, on the cheapest AU$12.50p/m plan, spending AU$120 on groceries could offset the cost of your mobile bill entirely.

See more: Everyday Mobile's plans

Numobile

• Uses parts of the Telstra network

Numobile offers a unique mix of SIM-only plans and device subscriptions, mainly focusing on refurbished iPhones and some new models like the iPhone 15. With a device subscription, you're essentially renting a phone for 24 or 36 months, and at the end of the term, you can upgrade or return the phone.

The SIM plans operate on the Telstra wholesale network, and Numobile includes features like data banking (up to 200GB) and unlimited calls and texts. It also offers 5G access on its main plans, ranging from 25GB to 150GB.

See more: Numobile’s plans

Superloop

• Uses parts of the Telstra network

Superloop might be better known for its NBN offering, but it's a key provider when it comes to mobile plans. Superloop's plans include unlimited standard national calls and texts, data banking up to 500GB, and 5G connectivity on all plans except the least expensive.

You’ve got the option of bundling your internet with Superloop’s mobile plans, which will give you a AU$5 discount if you bundle your broadband with one mobile service. Before bundling your mobile and internet with any provider, we strongly recommend comparing the best NBN plans with the best SIM-only plans, to ensure you’re getting a genuinely good deal.

See more: Superloop’s plans

Exetel

• Uses parts of the Telstra network

Mate offers mobile plans with parts of Telstra’s 4G and 5G network coverage, and thanks to its current offer, you can trial any plan for just AU$1. That makes it a really appealing option if you’re looking to test out a cheaper plan on the Telstra network for the first time.

As with most other Telstra MVNOs, Mate has all your basics covered including unlimited talk and text to standard numbers in Australia, and data banking up to 500GB. Mate also offers NBN plans, and bundling your mobile and internet together will knock AU$10 off your monthly bill. As always, compare your options before bundling together services.

Aside from its excellent introductory offer, we love that Mate is Australian owned and offers an Australian-based support team. It’s also got a largely positive rating on Product Review, which is quite an impressive feat.

See more: Exetel’s plans

Mate

• Uses parts of the Telstra network

More is an Australian-owned telco that’s part-owned by Commonwealth Bank. In fact, CommBank customers can get access to exclusive offers from More, such as discounted mobile and NBN plans.

It’s worth noting that most of More’s mobile plans cap your 4G download speeds at 100Mbps, while its most expensive plan caps speeds at 250Mbps for both 4G and 5G usage. Some of the telco’s mobile plans include a free 5G network trial.

You can bank up to 500GB of unused data on More’s mobile plans, and get the usual unlimited calls and texts to standard numbers in Australia. Some plans also include calls to selected countries.

See more: Mate’s plans

More

• Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G and 5G mobile networks

Tangerine is an Australian-owned telco offering much the same proposition as other Telstra network providers: unlimited standard calls and texts within Australia, data banking up to 500GB, and a 5G network trial included with select plans.

Tangerine also caps the download speed on its 4G mobile plans at 100Mbps, while its most premium plan, which includes 5G network coverage, has downloads capped at 250Mbps.

See more: More’s plans

Tangerine

• Uses parts of the Telstra network

Tangerine is an Australian-owned telco offering much the same proposition as other providers on the Telstra network: unlimited standard calls and texts within Australia, data banking up to 500GB and a 5G network trial included with select plans.

Tangerine also caps the download speed on its 4G mobile plans at 100Mbps, while its most premium plan, which includes 5G network coverage, has downloads capped at 250Mbps.

See more: Tangerine’s plans

Netflix’s password sharing crackdown has hit Australia, and if it’s got you thinking it’s time for a Netflix account of your own, Optus has just announced an offer that’ll get you 50% off a Standard subscription for your first three months.

Netflix’s Standard plan usually costs AU$16.99 a month, and it serves up 1080p video quality with two simultaneous streams. Optus’ deal will hook you up with the Standard plan for AU$8.50 a month for your first three months, before it reverts back to regular pricing.

Netflix’s Premium plan is also discounted in the Optus deal – you’ll pay AU$14.50 for your first three months on the Premium tier, which allows you to stream movies and TV shows in 4K. After that, regular pricing is AU$22.99 a month.

To be eligible for the offer, you only need to be an Optus mobile or NBN customer and connect a Netflix subscription through Optus SubHub for the first time. That means those who are already subscribed to Netflix are eligible as well, so long as it’s not already connected through Optus’ SubHub service.

If you’re currently subscribed to Netflix via an Optus NBN Entertainer plan, you’re not eligible for this deal. You also can’t sign up to Netflix’s cheapest plans using SubHub – your only options are the Standard and Premium tiers. Those who are eligible have until June 30, 2023 to sign up.

The Netflix password sharing crackdown

There have been rumblings about Netflix cracking down on password sharing for months, and it’s now being rolled out in Australia. The new changes don’t mean you have to get your own account though, you’ll just need to start paying extra if you want to keep splitting your account with others outside your household.

You’ll now need to pay an extra AU$7.99 a month to add an additional household to your subscription. That’s not such a bad deal for officially becoming an extra member on an account, considering the cheapest price you’ll pay for Netflix in Australia is AU$6.99. But that’s for the Standard with ads plan, so you’ll have to sit through some ads while you stream.

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Telstra has announced it’s increasing the cost of its mobile plans by as much as AU$6 a month, with the change to take effect from July 4, 2023.

The telco’s most affordable plan, called the Basic plan, will soon go from AU$58p/m to AU$62p/m, an increase of AU$4. To compensate, Telstra’s raising the amount of data included on this plan, going from 40GB to 50GB each billing period.

Customers on Telstra’s Essential and Premium plans are also getting hit with a price hike on July 4. The 180GB Essential plan is going from AU$68p/m to AU$72p/m, while users on the 300GB Premium plan will be slogged with an increase of AU$6 a month – they’ll soon pay AU$95p/m for the plan, instead of the current AU$89p/m price.

Why is Telstra increasing its prices?

Telstra says it's upping the cost of its mobile plans due to inflation, in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The telco first did this back in July 2022, when it increased the cost of its plans by up to AU$4, making this the second Telstra price hike in as many years. Telstra says it will continue to review the cost of its phone plans on a yearly basis.

In a post on Telstra’s website, group executive Brad Whitcomb said that the telco was aware the price rises will be difficult for some of its customers during the cost-of-living crunch. 

“Increasing our prices means we can continue investing in the things that matter for our customers. Things like delivering around 1 million square kilometres more mobile coverage compared to our closest competitor and 24/7 network monitoring to help protect against scams and other malicious activity,” Whitcomb said.

If you need financial assistance, Telstra does have options such as flexible payment arrangements, short-term holds on your account and concession rates.

Is Telstra still worth your money?

Telstra was already the most expensive telco among the big three, but its latest price rise makes the mobile provider significantly more expensive than its competition. For example, Optus’ cheapest plan is AU$49 and gives you 30GB of data, while Vodafone is arguably the best value for money at AU$45 for 40GB each month.

While Telstra will soon be offering 50GB a month on its cheapest plan, there’s no point paying for data that you don’t need. A report published in December 2021 by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that the average mobile user in Australia only uses 11.8GB of data a month, and while that figure might have crept up, we think it’s fair to say that 50GB could be overkill for most people.

We’ve compared Telstra, Optus and Vodafone by the cost per gigabyte, and found that you’d pay AU$1.24 per gigabyte with Telstra, AU$1.63 with Optus or AU$1.13 Vodafone. By this measure, Vodafone is the clear winner.

What Vodafone lacks though is the same wide-reaching coverage that Telstra offers, particularly in regional and rural areas. Thankfully, there are still more cost effective options for Aussies who need a network like Telstra’s to get reception where they live and work.

There are a number of smaller telcos, known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), which resell access to parts of Telstra’s 4G and 5G networks. They include Belong, Boost Mobile, Mate and Woolworths Mobile, just to name a few. In our best SIM-only plans guide, our recommendation for getting on the Telstra network for cheap is Mate.

More Telstra network alternatives

• Optus is still copping the most complaints for mobile service in new TIO report

Seven months on from the Optus data breach, Australia’s second-largest telco is still copping the most complaints for a mobile service provider. 

That’s according to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman’s (TIO) Q3 2023 report, which recorded 3,195 complaints concerning Optus’ mobile service between January and March in 2023. Telstra wasn’t far behind, receiving 3,166 mobile complaints during the same period.

While the Telstra and Optus numbers may only seem like a slight difference, it belies just how many of Optus’ customers are unhappy with the telco in terms of their total user base.  

Telstra has a significantly larger share of the mobile market, with the latest estimate from Statista showing Telstra retains 44% of mobile customers in Australia, while Optus has a 31% share of the market.

With 44% of the market and 3,166 complaints, Telstra only had around 72 complaints for each percent of the market it owns. Meanwhile, with a smaller 31% market share and 3,195 mobile complaints, Optus collected about 103 complaints per percent of market share.

Taking market share into account to level the playing field, complaints from Optus customers were 45% higher than those from Telstra customers between January and March this year – a significant blow out considering its smaller user base.

Optus complaints are falling overall

Despite receiving more complaints than any other mobile provider, the silver lining for Optus is that its complaints fell by 17% compared to Q2, with 4,288 Optus mobile complaints made to the Ombudsman between October and December 2022, the period that immediately followed the Optus data hack.

Of the top 10 issues for mobile services, which includes all providers, a massive 57% of complaints were about ‘no or delayed action by provider’ – in other words, poor follow-through when problems have been reported. This was followed by ‘service and equipment fees’, accounting for 33% of complaints.

A notable change occurred with complaints about ‘unauthorised disclosure of personal information’, which held the #3 spot between October and December 2022, but has now fallen out of the top 10 mobile issues down to #17. Mobile-related issues of ‘non-financial loss – privacy’ also fell drastically, from the #8 spot in Q2 right down to #46 in Q3.

The report noted that mobile continues to be the most complained-about service type across the board, accounting for 47.5% of all complaints made to the Ombudsman between January and March 2023. Complaints about internet services were significantly less at 32%, and 14% of complaints were about multiple services from the same provider, such as mobile and internet.

Ombudsman wants better customer service

The TIO quarterly report is a snapshot and it only provides real-world figures for the biggest offenders, so there’s no clear single winner for least complaints. What is clear, however, is that for most providers, there’s room for improvement when it comes to customer service. The Ombudsman Cynthia Gebert said that while mobile service complaints declined this quarter, their high proportion is still a concern.

“I encourage the telcos to keep working on their customer service to ensure that these problems get resolved before people need help from my office,” she said.

While the report doesn’t give us insight into which mobile providers could be better choices, sites such as Product Review might assist in your search. Typically, it’s the smaller telcos, such as Moose Mobile, Felix and Mate, which rate more highly on the site, and customer support is often quoted as a benefit.

These smaller telcos are known as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs), and they don’t directly own the cellular networks they use to provide mobile services to their customers. They instead resell access to the Telstra, Optus or Vodafone networks, and they often do so at a cheaper price than the big three.

You can compare prices of some of the major MVNOs in the widget below, or read our guide to the best SIM-only plans in Australia for specific recommendations.

• Telstra and Optus thrash Vodafone for 5G speed in latest report

Both Telstra and Optus are light years ahead of Vodafone when it comes to 5G download speeds, according to a new report by independent communication analyst Opensignal.

Among Australia’s three major telcos, Optus is leading the pack with the fastest average 5G download speed of 229.6Mbps. Telstra is only marginally behind, clocking in with an average speed of 215Mbps. Vodafone was found to have less than half of its competitors’ 5G speed, reaching downloads of 106.8Mbps on average.

Opensignal’s data was collected from January to March in 2023.

While Vodafone was smashed in the 5G download speed metric, it fares better when it comes to the overall download speed experience, which includes 3G, 4G and 5G networks. 

There was less of a gap between the providers, with Telstra coming out on top with average download speeds of 59.6Mbps. Optus trailed with 55.7Mbps, while Vodafone’s overall download speed was 47.8Mbps on average.

All of Telstra, Optus and Vodafone’s mobile plans come with 5G connectivity as standard. Below is a widget comparing the most affordable 5G plan from each telco.

Vodafone’s surprising 5G wins

Opensignal’s report analysed more than just 5G download speeds – it also looked at the availability of the nation’s 5G networks. It’s important to note that Opensignal’s 5G availability metric doesn’t equate to network coverage. Instead, Opensignal says that 5G availability is a measure of the time spent connected to the network once the initial connection has been made.

Interestingly, Vodafone wins this metric in OpenSignal’s testing. The report found that Vodafone had the highest 5G availability (again, not to be confused with network coverage) among the big three telcos, allowing its 5G users to stay connected to a network 30.8% of the time where it was available.

Telstra and Optus were lagging behind Vodafone, with Telstra’s 5G customers able to connect 19.2% of the time, while Optus users could connect 12.1% of the time.

We would speculate that Vodafone’s high 5G availability is due to fewer users being connected. With Telstra and Optus having a wider 5G footprint than Vodafone, as well as a higher number of users, it’s possible that Telstra and Optus’ 5G towers are at capacity more often, and therefore some of their users need to be dropped down to 4G speeds more frequently.

Another surprising win for Vodafone, however marginal, came for its 5G games experience. Vodafone pulled ahead of Telstra and Optus with 80 points for 5G gaming, with Optus a smidge behind at 78.8, and Telstra attracting 77.4 points – all out of a possible 100.

Opensignal says its 5G games experience metric, “measures how mobile users experience real-time multiplayer mobile gaming on an operator’s 5G network”.

Despite Vodafone’s low 5G download speed, you don’t typically need lots of bandwidth for online gaming – factors such as low latency, packet loss and jitter are more important, which are impacted by server location, not the telcos.

Why Vodafone’s still worth your money

Opensignal’s report tells us how each telco performs in real-world usage, but it doesn’t get to one of the biggest factors in your buying decision – cost. When we stack up Telstra, Optus and Vodafone in terms of price, Vodafone is a clear winner.

The cheapest plan from Vodafone costs AU$45 a month, and it gets you a very healthy 40GB of data. Compare that to Optus, where the most affordable option is a little more at AU$49 a month, but you’ll only get 30GB of data to burn through. Telstra’s cheapest plan isn’t really cheap at all, setting you back AU$58 a month for 40GB of data.

At a time when cost of living is biting, we find it difficult to recommend a telco such as Telstra. That’s purely from a price perspective, which we’d argue is more important than download speed for most people.

If you want to take advantage of Telstra's extensive coverage without the price, we recommend going for a smaller telco that’s using the Telstra network. Mate is currently our #1 recommendation, or you can find more suggestions in our best SIM-only plans guide. 

Vodafone may not be crushing it from a 5G download speed perspective, it certainly dominates when it comes to value for money. You can read more about the best Vodafone mobile plans, or see all its SIM-only options below:

• 5G home internet in Australia: what it is, plus the best plans and deals

Vodafone is the latest Aussie telco to announce an increase to the cost of its mobile plans, with the provider saying the majority of its postpaid customers will be hit with a price increase of AU$5 a month from April 1, 2023.

TPG Telecom, which owns Vodafone Australia, said the price hike is due to inflationary pressures and to help support its own rising operation costs.

“This is the first time Vodafone has increased pricing for its existing postpaid mobile customers in at least 10 years and is not a decision we have taken lightly,” a TPG Telecom spokesperson said.

Vodafone revamped its mobile plans back in January, and the telco says the cost of its current offering won’t be changing – meaning if you recently signed up to one of Vodafone’s three current mobile plans, your monthly cost remains the same. 

Instead, most existing customers who are on a postpaid plan that was available before January 24, 2023 will be hit with a monthly price increase of AU$5.

The telco says it’s already begun reaching out to affected customers, getting in contact via email, or by mail if the email sent bounces back.

Along with the price hike, most of Vodafone’s customers affected by the change will also receive more data each month. Below you can see Vodafone’s current offering:

Should you stay or switch?

Vodafone is the last telco among the big three to move on increasing the cost of its mobile plans in the last 12 months.

Telstra was the first to make changes, upping the price of all its mobile plans by up to AU$4 extra a month back in June 2022, citing rising inflation. Optus soon followed, also increasing its mobile plan prices for select customers by AU$4 a month in July 2022.

Vodafone’s mobile plans are typically the cheapest options among the big three, but it’s difficult to say where the value for money of its older plans will sit after the price hike.

If you receive a notification from Vodafone that the cost of your plan is increasing, it’s worth looking at your current data usage and seeing if you can move down to a cheaper plan with less gigabytes. 

A report published by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) back in December 2021 found that the average mobile user in Australia only uses 11.8GB of data a month, so there’s a chance you could be paying for much more data than you need.

If you check your usage and find you’re paying too much for unused data, you could move down to a cheaper Vodafone plan. If you’ve paid off the cost of your current device, you could also consider switching to a cheaper SIM-only plan.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Vodafone is contacting its affected customers via text message, phone call or email. Vodafone has confirmed it is communicating with affected customers via email, and by mail if the email bounces back.

• Optus rolls out new paid boosting features for NBN and mobile customers

Picture this – you’re at a music festival, or a football match, or any crowded area, and you can’t find your mates. You look at your phone, thinking you’ll call or text to find out where they are, only to see you have spotty signal. 

Optus now seemingly has a solution to this problem called Mobile Boost, and it allows customers to get priority on the telco’s mobile network whenever they like. If it works as promised, then you shouldn’t have to walk around aimlessly looking for better reception when you’re in very crowded spaces.

It’s currently in beta on Optus’ app, and in the initial launch phase, eligible mobile customers can use five free one-hour boosts per month. Once the Mobile Boost feature properly rolls out though, Optus will be charging AU$2 per one-hour boost.

Boost your internet speed, at a price

Alongside Mobile Boost, Optus has also introduced Internet Boost for its NBN customers, but eligible users will have to pay to use this feature – it’ll cost you AU$5 to maximise your speed for 24 hours.

Optus says customers who pay for an Internet Boost will get the maximum NBN speed available at their address for 24 hours, and the maximum speed available will be different for everyone – it depends on your home’s NBN connection type.

For example, the fastest NBN plans available are NBN 250 and NBN 1000, but these speed tiers are only available to fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) and hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) connection types.

This means that, in theory, a user with an Optus NBN 50 plan could kick their downloads speeds from 50Mbps all the way up to 1000Mbps, but only if that user is living at an FTTP or HFC eligible address.

If they’re one of the millions of Australians with an inferior fibre-to-the-node (FTTN) connection instead, then the maximum speed available at their address won’t be anything more than 100Mbps, which is equivalent to an NBN 100 plan.

Internet providers with free speed boosts

Optus isn’t the first NBN provider to offer NBN speed boosts. In fact, there’s at least two other telcos that will do it for free. You might not have heard of either Exetel or Superloop, but these smaller internet service providers both have a feature called Speed Boost, which is available on their NBN 50, NBN 100 and NBN 250 plans.

Both Exetel’s and Superloop’s customers on eligible plans get five free Speed Boosts every month, and if they go unused, they rollover into a bank that will hold up to 30 Speed Boost days. And, instead of boosting your internet to the maximum speed available, Exetel and Superloop will only move you up to the next available speed tier.

While this nifty feature will only take your internet up to the next available tier, we would still argue that Exetel’s and Superloop’s offering is better from a price perspective. Across each NBN speed tier, both of these telcos plans are cheaper, and the fact that you get five Speed Boosts for free each month is pretty unbeatable.

If you’re keen to compare Exetel’s and Superloop’s NBN plans against Optus, take a look at the price comparison widget below, which shows each telco’s NBN 50 plan.

• One million extra homes eligible for full fibre NBN upgrade, but there’s a catch

Vodafone Australia has revamped its mobile phone plans, narrowing your choice down from five to just three data options. Perhaps most significantly, the telco has scrapped its truly unlimited data mobile plan – which gave users unlimited data at maximum speeds – but Vodafone is still comfortably ahead of Telstra and Optus when it comes to value for money.

Whether you’re looking for a SIM-only plan or a new mobile phone, Vodafone now gives you three data options: 40GB for AU$45 a month, 150GB for AU$55 a month or 300GB for AU$65 a month. It’s a more simplified range than the previous five options that were available.

Vodafone’s cheapest phone plan is now AU$45 a month, which is actually an increase of AU$5 each billing compared to what was previously available. It still remains the best value of the big three when it comes to cost-per-gigabyte though, as Telstra’s cheapest plan gets you 40GB for AU$58, and Optus’ budget plan comes with 30GB for AU$49.

While most mobile providers do offer plans with massive data caps, it’s worth remembering that the average Australian only uses 12GB of data each month on a postpaid plan. With this in mind, Vodafone's entry-level offering with 40GB of data will be more than enough for most people.

The changes to Vodafone’s phone plans only apply to new customers, so if you’re already on a Vodafone mobile plan, you won’t see any changes on your bill or allowances. Vodafone says its current customers will remain on their existing plan for as long as they don’t make a change.

If you’re happy with the device you’ve got, and you are in the market for a new phone plan, it’s worthwhile taking a look at some alternatives to the major telcos, which are often significantly more competitive – just head over to our dedicated guide to the best SIM-only plans for recommendations.

• Boost Mobile is giving free 5G to all users, but you'll have to pony up for top speeds

The fallout from the Optus data breach has been huge, and while we don’t know just how many customers have left Optus in the aftermath, it appears the telco is trying to claw customers back by giving away a free phone – but is it enough to win people over?

Optus is giving away a free Google Pixel 6a when you sign up for a Google Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro plan, and stick with the provider for at least 12 months. This is an incredibly rare deal – the Pixel 6a retails for AU$749, and you’re getting it for nothing.

The Pixel 6a is Google’s more budget-friendly alternative, while the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are the current flagship offerings. If you were to get this deal on a 24-month contract, your cheapest monthly repayments for the Pixel 7 would be AU$90.61, while the Pixel 7 Pro would set you back AU$103.12 a month. 

This deal is open to new and existing Optus customers, and you must stick with your chosen plan for 12, 24 or 36 months. That eligibility criteria is notable – telcos rarely offer these kinds of deals to existing customers, and they’re usually only available on the longer contracts (those that are 24 or 36 months).

Samsung Galaxy S22 available for half-price

Optus isn’t just giving away free Pixel phones to lure customers back, it’s also discounted the Samsung Galaxy S22 by 50%, bringing the price of the handset down to just AU$624.50.

The caveats to consider here is that you’ll need to pair the phone with an Optus mobile plan, and stick to it for 24 or 36 months (12-month contracts aren’t included in this deal).

If you’re willing to commit to Optus for at least 24 months, it’s a pretty great deal as it brings the price of the Samsung Galaxy S22 down to one of the lowest we’ve seen yet.

It’s hard to say whether these kinds of deals will be enough for people to overlook the damage caused to Optus’ reputation in the wake of the hack. If you’re a current Optus customer looking to cancel your plan with the provider, we have a dedicated guide detailing how to switch from Optus.

• Already got a phone? Read our recommended SIM-only plans

Vodafone has long been the most affordable of Australia's big three telecommunications providers — the other two of course being Telstra and Optus. Through its ownership by TPG, which in turn has a network sharing agreement with Optus, Vodafone now covers over 98% of the country.

The combination of good coverage and good value makes Vodafone the clear choice in my opinion when you're searching for a new phone or SIM plan from a major provider.

Plus, right now Vodafone's SIM plans are more attractive than ever, with 50% discounts on the first 6 months of all three plans, including a 200GB plan for AU$31.50p/m and a 400GB plan for AU$36.50p/m.

If you're looking for Vodafone's best phone plans for specific devices, budgets, and data needs, we've highlighted our top picks below.

• Best Telstra mobile plans
• Best Optus mobile plans

Noteworthy Vodafone deals

You’ll find all our plan recommendations below, but before signing up, here are all the current Vodafone offers you should know about:

• Save up to AU$500.04 on RRP of Samsung Galaxy S26 range
• Save AU$600.12 on RRP of Apple iPhone Air
• Save AU$50.04 on an Apple Watch when you sign up for an iPhone mobile plan

Best Vodafone mobile plans: our picks

Best SIM-only option

Best overall Vodafone phone plans

Best cheap Vodafone plans

Best premium Vodafone phone plans

• Best SIM-only plans: options to suit every budget

Yup, I'd sign up for T-Mobile and Starlink's new satellite-powered cell services today, if I could. It's that kind of a game-changer. But to understand why I think that we first have to look at the limitations of current satellite phones and what could make this system fundamentally different and more attractive to the average consumer.

I've watched enough war movies to start recognizing when the general or under-attack squad leader pulls out a satellite phone. It's like the communication device of last resort. In the jungle, wilderness, on a lonely desert island, or any number of cellular dead zones around the world, it's the only way to communicate with home base.

And it's completely impractical for most people not in the thick of battle or climbing Mount Everest.

Most satellite phones, like the Iridium line popularized in innumerable action movies, are expensive (often costing well over $1,000). And they can be ungainly because they need a huge external antenna, one that will make your late 1990s-era feature phone antenna look quaint. 

Generally, satellite phones do not work indoors and they may need a cable and external antenna adapter to make sure they can connect with the network of orbiting satellites.

All of this is why we didn't build our smartphone networks on a satellite system (just our GPS system) and instead opted for ground-based cell towers to cover as much area as possible. This, of course, also meant that the cell tower growth would be primarily in major metropolitan areas, leaving huge swaths of the world with dead zones, especially in some rural areas, underdeveloped nations, remote regions, and the ocean.

Knowing all this, there was always a little bit of me that wanted to at least try a satellite phone and test it by doing my own version of Tom Hanks' Cast Away. I'm not saying I'm ready to be stranded on a desert island, but maybe a jaunt into the mountains or, better yet, a cruise where connectivity is always at a premium.

Naturally, I was intrigued by the headlines about what Elon Musk's Starlink and T-Mobile might offer, especially because I knew that many people have successfully used Musk's Starlink orbiting satellite system to connect to the Internet. And I have to admit, that, after listening to the slightly over-the-top presentation, the reality sounds even better.

Beam me up

To start with, the plan, as outlined by T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert and Musk on Thursday, does away with most of the limitations of traditional satellite phones.

First of all, it's using a slice of T-Mobile's mid-band PSC spectrum (part of the 5G spectrum), which means that you don't need a satellite phone to connect, just your regular smartphone, albiet one on the T-Mobile network.

Secondly, the images of some mud-covered army grunt rolling out from cover to make sure his battle-scarred sat-phone has a clear view of the sky need not be applied to the T-Mobile Starlink plan.

Musk claimed that the connection will work "in your pocket, in your car."

Third, you probably won't even need to sign up for a special service. Sievert gleefully told the crowd (which seemed to cheer on cue), "I would expect the pricing for this service to be the Uncarrier's favorite price. The price that we've made famous, which is that we expect, on our most popular plans, for this service to be included for free."

Sievert later clarified that more affordable plans will probably pay an additional monthly fee for the ability to use the satellite service. But this being a tech alliance announcement and not a product rollout, no pricing information was forthcoming.

Still, I'm excited about the possibility of, say, an upcoming iPhone 14 Pro or even the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 I currently have running on T-Mobile being able to connect from virtually anywhere in the world - well, not exactly anywhere.

While this plan will offer you a connection for calls and texts (and maybe a photo and even the tiniest video) in places where you'd normally have no connectivity, it won't cover more than, as Sievert explained, "the lower 48 [of the United States], ...vast parts of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and territorial waters and even vast parts of the world's oceans." T-Mobile is not a global company and while Starlink's satellites orbit the globe, T-Mobile's plan won't extend to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, etc. without international carrier partnerships, which may or may not be in the offing.

I'm also aware that this is still just a promise.

Starlink has roughly 3,000 satellites in low-earth orbit right now but none of them are equipped to support this plan. Musk explained how they must equip Starlink second-generation satellites with giant, advanced phase-array antennas. Musk highlighted the challenges of sending a signal from your phone to a satellite 500 miles overhead and that's also traveling at 17,000 miles per hour (though he added that they had it working in the lab).

In other words, it's gonna take some time to literally get the plan off the ground and into the sky and the beta rollout won't happen until 2023.

I can't lie and say that the promise of "the end of dead zones," as Musk put it, doesn't excite me. Even in the suburbs I live with them and wonder if an orbiting satellite network as a backup might not ease some of my frustration. However, I also take Sievert and Musk's point that this is not just about consumer convenience. Hikers and people lost at sea or caught in blizzards have died because they couldn't communicate. This might help, providing their phones still have power and, I think, the sky is clear.

Looking beyond the somewhat silly pomp and circumstance of the launch event, I could not help thinking that this was important and that, yes, I wanted my cellphone to also be a satellite phone because why should any of us ever be disconnected?

If you think you might want to upgrade your smartphone before the advent of a phone satellite network, check out our list of the best smartphones of 2022.

UPDATE (4/8/2022): Vodafone has announced it’s expanding its 5G trial to more providers using its network, with eligible Internode and Westnet mobile plans now getting free 5G access alongside TPG, iiNet, Kogan and Lebara customers.

Eligible plans from Internode include its 40GB plan for AU$15p/m and its 55GB plan for AU$20p/m. Similarly, Westnet customers on its 40GB plan for AU$15p/m and its 55GB plan for AU$20p/m also now get free 5G access until October 26, 2022. Our original story continues below.

If you’ve got a mobile plan with TPG, iiNet, Kogan or Lebara, we’ve got some potentially good news – Vodafone has just opened up 5G network access to eligible plans from these providers (which all operate on the Vodafone network), and you won’t pay anything extra to trial it for the next three months.

You won’t even need to opt-in with your provider to get free 5G speeds, but you will need to have a 5G-capable phone, and you’ll need to live or work where Vodafone’s 5G coverage is available. You’ll also need to ensure 5G connectivity is switched on in your phone’s settings.

As mentioned, only select plans from TPG, iiNet, Kogan and Lebara are eligible, and in most cases, the eligible plans are the more expensive options. Here’s every plan where you can now trial 5G for free until October 26, 2022.

TPG plans trialling 5G

• TPG 45GB plan | AU$15p/m (first 6 months, then AU$30p/m)
• TPG 60GB plan | AU$20p/m (first 6 months, then AU$40p/m)

iiNet plans trialling 5G

• iiNet 40GB plan | AU$15p/m (first 6 months, then AU$29.99p/m)
• iiNet 55GB plan | AU$20p/m (first 6 months, then AU$39.99p/m)

Kogan plans trialling 5G

• Large 365 day plan (300GB) | AU$270 for 365 days
• Extra Large 365 day plan (500GB) | AU$300 for 365 days
• Large 365 Flex plan (300GB) | AU$270 for 365 days
• Extra Large 365 Flex plan (500GB) | AU$300 for 365 days
• Extra Large plan (80GB, 12-month contract) | AU$30p/m (first 6 months, then AU$40p/m)

Lebara plans trialling 5G

• Medium 30 Day plan | AU$29.90
• Large 30 Day plan | AU$39.90
• Extra Large 30 Day plan | AU$49.90
• Extra Extra Large 30 Day plan | AU$69.90
• Medium 90 Day plan | AU$80
• Large 90 Day plan | AU$105
• Medium 180 Day plan | AU$140
• Large 180 Day plan | AU$180
• Medium 360 Day plan | AU$250
• Large 360 Day plan | AU$300

What other providers have 5G mobile plans?

Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all offer 5G mobile plans, but you can also get it from smaller providers – known in the industry as mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) – who resell access to one of the big three’s networks.

Aldi Mobile, Boost Mobile and Woolworths Mobile (all Telstra MVNOs) offer 5G connectivity on select mobile plans, while Aussie Broadband, Spintel and Southern Phone also have select 5G-ready plans via Optus’ network.

While there’s a decent amount of choice available if you want a 5G mobile plan, what’s particularly exciting about Vodafone opening up its network is just how cheap a 5G mobile plan can now be.

As we’ve highlighted above, the cheapest 5G plan on Vodafone’s network is TPG’s 45GB plan, which you can now get for just AU$15 a month for the first 6 months. That’s pretty compelling value compared to what competitors are offering.

The most affordable option from Telstra’s network is Boost’s 5GB for AU$20. Meanwhile, there is one Optus-powered 5G plan which is pretty good value – you can get 80GB for AU$40 a month from Spintel, which we've recommend as one of the best SIM-only plans in Australia.

• Telstra and Optus have hiked mobile prices, so it’s the perfect time to go for the cheap option

Telstra recently increased all its postpaid mobile plan prices and, soon after, Optus followed suit. While each telco did increase the data offered on its plans, the fact remains that many Australian customers will be hit with bigger bills during a cost-of-living crisis.

However, one of the silver linings of this price and data cap increase is that the smallest (and hence, cheapest) plans from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone have now become a much more suitable proposition for a vast majority of Aussies.

• Best SIM-only plans in Australia right now

Let's get real

The most recent Communications Market Report from the consumer watchdog – the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) – found that Australians were using, on average, just 11.8GB of data per month on their mobile plans.

If we look at the cheapest plans on offer from the big three, Telstra and Vodafone now provide 40GB of data, while Optus provides 30GB – all well over double (or even triple) the average usage.

What's more, all three of them come with 5G connectivity, and many of the arbitrary limitations that used to be associated with the cheapest plan tiers have since been lifted.

While there will definitely be Aussies going well over that 11.8GB average, we think it's a good idea you take a look at your actual data usage and see what you use each month, because you may be paying much more than is needed. Most simply, this can be done via your telco's online account, app or bills, but you can also set up your Android or iOS phone to track this usage if the telco option isn't available.

There may still be that lingering fear for Aussies going over their data limit that they'll be charged through the nose for every megabyte, but one of the saving graces of most modern mobile plans (and indeed, all plans from the big three), is that you will simply have your download speed slowed down, rather than being charged extra for any excess usage – and even if you do find yourself regularly going over, you can always step up to the next plan up.

For students, Vodafone's AU$40p/m plan nets you a massive 80GB of data, while those seeking the extra coverage and bigger brand name can get Telstra's 40GB plan for AU$58p/m.

Friendlier alternatives

Of course, you don't need to go with Telstra, Optus or Vodafone – these days, the market is brimming with solid alternatives, and they almost always offer better bang-for-buck than the major telcos (albeit, often at the expense of losing 5G coverage).

If you're looking to save some dosh, we've hand-picked some of our favourite offers below:

• Best phone plans in Australia: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and more compared

Although Optus recently told some of its mobile customers they'd see a price hike, it seems the telco's pricing has changed across the board for SIM-only plans, with all future sign-ups also copping a bigger hit to their wallet.

To be fair, the extra cost is just AU$4 per month across all of its plan options, and the restructure does increase the data limit for each, but for football fans, you'll be disappointed to learn that Optus Sport will no longer be a free inclusion (from August 1), instead costing AU$6.99 per month as an add-on.

To see how the value stacks up, we've created a table below to directly compare the old vs new Optus pricing.

• Need an Optus alternative? Check out the best SIM-only plans in Australia

Are the new Optus plans worth it?

Optus isn't the only telco to raise its plan pricing recently – Telstra also upped its mobile plan costs (by a similar AU$4 amount) this month, although the extra data was much more impressive than Optus' changes, and the addition of 5G coverage for the Basic plan was very welcome.

While Optus long-held its position as a more affordable alternative that still packed in a heap of value, that distinction is growing more blurred, and it's becoming easier to recommend the Big T or even Vodafone in its stead.

In terms of the cheapest plan from the big three telcos, Vodafone's offering up 40GB for AU$40p/m (bumped up to 80GB for students), while Telstra has 40GB for AU$58p/m, and brings with it the improved coverage and stronger 5G presence that it's known for. Optus, on the other hand, now offers 30GB for AU$49p/m and has little else to sell it.

It's a similar story for big data users – Telstra now offers 180GB for just AU$68p/m, (which is rather generous for the Big T), and Vodafone has an unlimited data cap plan for AU$65p/m. Optus, by comparison, now offers 220GB for AU$69p/m, but doesn't have the same coverage appeal as Telstra, nor data impact as Vodafone.

One of the big draws for Optus was its Optus Sport inclusion, and while it is still discounted for members (AU$6.99 rather than AU$24.99 per month), now that it's an additional cost, Optus' plans are much closer to Telstra's pricing when you factor it in.

• The best Telstra plans available today

But... why?

We've reached out to Optus for comment and will update this article when we receive a reply, but for now, we'll repeat what the telco told us previously:

“Our ongoing investment in expanding and upgrading services, the growing data demands on our network, and increasing costs of goods and services, means we’ve made the difficult decision to increase the price on selected mobile plans,” an Optus spokesperson said in a statement.

“We do recognise there have been a lot of hits on customers’ hip pockets – mortgage increases, transport, petrol – and that many are struggling financially,” they said. “We have specially trained teams who can assist customers experiencing hardship and design a plan that will help them through hard times and get back on their feet.”

• The best iPhone 13 plans in Australia

Optus will soon increase its mobile plan prices for select customers by AU$4 a month. The move follows Telstra’s decision to up its mobile plan prices across the board at the beginning of July.

While Optus wouldn’t specify which customers the price rise would affect, it appears the change is only coming to customers on older plans – specifically those who signed up before the May 2021 price increase.

This means that if you joined Optus before May 2021, you’ll now be paying a similar monthly price to Optus’ current mobile plan range, and you’ll get extra data too. If you joined Optus after May 2021, you shouldn’t see a change in your monthly bill.

The telco says it has contacted impacted customers directly, with the price rise kicking in on August 8, 2022.

Optus’ price increase differs from Telstra, however, as it only affects a portion of its users by bringing them in line with what’s currently available to new customers. On the other hand, Telstra’s price hike impacts all customers by increasing the cost up to AU$4 extra a month.

If you’re looking for a cheaper mobile plan, we have a dedicated guide to the best SIM-only plans in Australia to help you search for a better plan.

Why is Optus increasing prices?

Optus says numerous factors have led to the price rise, and recognised it may be a hit to users who are struggling financially.

“Our ongoing investment in expanding and upgrading services, the growing data demands on our network, and increasing costs of goods and services, means we’ve made the difficult decision to increase the price on selected mobile plans,” an Optus spokesperson said in a statement.

“We do recognise there have been a lot of hits on customers’ hip pockets – mortgage increases, transport, petrol – and that many are struggling financially,” they said. “We have specially trained teams who can assist customers experiencing hardship and design a plan that will help them through hard times and get back on their feet.”

What about Vodafone?

With both Telstra and Optus upping their plan prices within the last few weeks, Vodafone customers may be wondering if their monthly bill will soon be increasing too.

We reached out to Vodafone to see if its pricing would follow a similar change, but a spokesperson for TPG Telecom said “we do not discuss future potential pricing” (Vodafone Australia is a subsidiary of TPG Telecom).

“As customers adjust to the increasing costs of living due to inflationary pressures and rising interest rates, we are the only player concentrated on being a simple, great value provider of telecommunications services,” said the spokesperson.

“Given our cost base is far lower than our major competitors, we continue to take a leadership position in providing value to Australian customers.”

While Vodafone doesn’t seem to have any plans to increase its pricing (that it’s willing to talk about, at least), we’ll have to wait and see if they eventually follow suit in the future.

• Australia could see cheaper 5G plans from smaller telcos with Telstra’s latest move

If you're on the hunt for a new SIM or phone plan, there's a good chance you'll want to take a look at Optus. One of the biggest Australian telcos alongside Telstra and Vodafone, Optus sits somewhere in the middle in my opinion.

The telco offers a blend of Telstra's leading network coverage and Vodafone's affordable plans and regular deals, making it a compelling choice. With that being said, Vodafone is often the cheapest of three.

Furthermore, Optus' network regularly outperforms its peers, and is regularly crowned Australia's fastest mobile network for both 5G and overall download speeds by OpenSignal. You can view how Optus fared against Telstra and Vodafone in the most recent OpenSignal report.

As with most telcos, Optus' best prices, deals and offers show up during major sales events such as Black Friday and EOFY. That's not to say there aren't any good deals throughout the rest of the year, and at the time of writing it's possible to save get a free Galaxy Tab A11+ with any Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphone.

Optus also has some excellent SIM-only promos, with AU$180 in savings over 12 months and 50GB of bonus data each month on select plans in the first year. For example, you can get a 50GB plan, with a bonus 50GB data each month, for just AU$40p/m for the first 12 months. That's stunning value if you ask me.

If you're looking to pair one of the best phones or cheap phones with a SIM plan, Optus remains a strong contender. To help you navigate the options, we've gathered all the top deals and offerings on the most popular handsets and SIM plans below.

• Best Telstra mobile plans
• Best Vodafone mobile plans in Australia

Noteworthy Optus deals

I'll get to the best Optus plans in a second. First, here are some deals currently available through Optus on some of the best phones right now.

• Score a bonus Galaxy Tab A11+ with any Samsung Galaxy S26 smartphone
• Motorola Edge 70 from AU$12.48p/m + SIM plan
• Get the iPhone 17e for AU$799 with a SIM plan
• Students now get 200GB for AU$39/month for 12 months

Best SIM-only Optus mobile plan

Best Optus iPhone plans

Best Optus Android plan

Best cheap Optus phone plans

Best cheap iPhone + plan combo: our pick

Best cheap Android phone + plan combo: our pick

Best premium Optus phone plans

Best premium iPhone + plan combo: our pick

Best premium Android + plan combo: our pick

Best foldable Optus phone plans

Best overall foldable + plan combo: our pick

• Looking for something cheaper, or have your own phone? Check out the best-value SIM-only plans

If you're looking for the best phone plan for you, factoring in needs and budget, then you've come to the right place. In this guide, I've taken all types of mobile SIM plans into account, whittling them down to select what I consider to be the best in each scenario.

If you know you're after something specific, then be sure to check out our in-depth guides to the best SIM-only plans or the best prepaid plans for more options. Alternatively, if you know you want a new plan from one of Australia's major telcos, then the best Vodafone plans will give you the greatest value, while the best Optus plans also have a lot to offer. Telstra, while being the biggest provider, is also the most expensive, but fortunately there are plenty of cheap plans on the Telstra network that are great alternatives.

If it's quick, digestible information you're after though, then be sure to read on, as I list the best phone plans for every type of user — from data-hungry power users to budget-conscious callers. I've also included a long-expiry plan for anyone looking for a simple set and forget option.

Best overall postpaid plan

Best cheap postpaid plan

Best high-data postpaid plan

Best overall prepaid plan

Best long expiry prepaid plan

Best Vodafone plan

Best Optus plan

Best Telstra plan

Mobile phone deals FAQ

Which mobile network is best in Australia?

Between the three mobile networks across Australia, it’s difficult to chalk up a definitive ‘winner’. Speed is subject to so many variables at any given time that it’s difficult to truly pit the three head-to-head at an Australia-wide level, and availability varies between networks and locations.

According to OpenSignal’s latest mobile network experience report, published in October 2025, Optus boasts the fastest mobile speeds in Australia on average. Telstra wins on coverage experience for both 4G and 5G – reaching 99.7% of the nation. However, Optus wins on consistent quality and has long offered the second-best coverage in the nation at 98.8%. Now, thanks to the partnership between TPG Telecom and Optus, Vodafone now nearly matches Optus' coverage with 98.4%.

When it comes to 5G, Telstra offers the greatest coverage across Australia, with 89% of the population able to connect to Telstra’s exclusive 5G signal with an eligible Telstra plan (per WhistleOut). MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) operating through Telstra’s networks generally utilise the Telstra Wholesale network, which only covers 75% of the population. The only MVNO that operates on Telstra’s full network is Boost Mobile. You can view a map of Telstra’s network coverage on its website.

Vodafone hasn’t provided any figures on its 5G network, though you can view a map of Vodafone’s network coverage on the telco’s website. However, we can assume that it slots in at the same or lesser than Optus' 5G coverage which is 80.5% of the population.

Speaking specifically about the actual plans on offer from Telstra, Optus and Vodafone, you’ll usually find they’re some of the most expensive plans in the country (though every now and then you’ll see a bargain). If you’d like to save as much as possible, we’d recommend you check out some of the smaller providers that operate on the 4G and 5G networks run by the big three.

• Learn more details about the best Optus mobile plans
• Learn more details about the best Vodafone mobile plans
• Learn more details about the best Telstra mobile plans

The new OnePlus 10 Pro 5G smartphone recently went on sale in the United States and now has official certification to work on Verizon’s 5G network. Up until now, the device was exclusive to T-Mobile in the US.

Under Verizon’s 5G network, you can expect fast speeds for uploading pictures and videos, even in places with low bandwidth. It can also mean, depending on 5G coverage in your area, a more stable connection and fewer random drops in quality

However, it appears that the phone will not be able to take full advantage of Verizon’s two 5G standards. A Verizon representative told TechRadar that the smartphone does not support the mmWave spectrum, only the C-Band.

Lightning-fast speeds

According to Verizon, the C-Band is their mid-tier spectrum with speeds up to a gigabit and it’s available across a wider geographical area. The frequency can even penetrate buildings so you never lose those impressive speeds inside a building or tunnel.

The mmWave (millimeter wave) spectrum is even faster as it has frequencies between 28 and 39GHz with almost no lag. But the signal doesn’t go very far and it can’t enter buildings like lower frequencies.

Think of the C-Band as the Goldilocks standard in that it’s just right. It has fast enough speeds with a much wider range. Plus, this loss won’t really affect a lot of people as a report from 2021 by Opensignal revealed that only 0.5 percent of Verizon customers utilize mmWave.

Why mmWave isn’t supported could be because of hardware limitations. The 10 Pro runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM. You’d expect the 10 Pro to have high-performance benchmarks, but it really doesn’t.

It’s actually slower than its predecessor, the OnePlus 9. In exchange, the 10 Pro is better optimized for AI and battery so the power needed for the mmWave was possibly throttled for other usage.

Supporting programs

Alongside the 5G certification, the OnePlus 10 Pro is also a part of Verizon’s Bring Your Own Device program. If you bought the phone from a different retailer or T-Mobile, you use this program to switch carriers. There, you select which phone plan you’d like.

And if you sign up for the unlimited plan, you’ll get a $500 gift card.

If you'd rather buy a new phone outright, or you've previously been on a contract and have finished your device payments, then the best SIM-only plans in Australia will keep you connected for less. And with so many options on offer, finding the ideal SIM plan for your needs can be easy if you follow along with this guide.

First, consider how much you're willing to spend and then what inclusions you'd find most useful. Do you need a high-data plan to stream and surf when you're not connected to Wi-Fi? Perhaps you'd value having some international minutes for overseas calls? And are you happy paying month-to-month, or would you prefer a 'set and forget' 365-day SIM plan?

If you're just happy to stick with calling national numbers and you're always going to be connected to Wi-Fi, you can probably make do with a low-cost SIM plan with a small amount of data to save money.

Of course, if you're looking to buy a new phone, like the iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, bundling it with a plan from a top telco like Vodafone or Optus is a great way to keep your up-front payment down. However, if you're able to buy a new device outright, you can save more when paired with the best SIM-only plans.

And while I've said it should be relatively simple to find a plan that suits you, with countless plans from Australia's three major telcos and the many mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) they support, filtering through them all can take time. That’s why I’ve put in the hours to analyse the top plans across the Telstra, Vodafone and Optus networks to make your choice easy.

I've broken down the best SIM-only options into seven categories, suiting different budgets, data needs, and priorities.

Noteworthy SIM-only deals for 2026

I'll get into my picks for the best SIM plans below, but before I get stuck in, I wanted to bring to your attention some of the best deals currently on offer.

• OnePass Mobile | Get 50% off your first 6 months
• Tangerine | Bundle your mobile and NBN plan to get 10% off mobile
• Felix | Get 50% off your first 3 months
• Dodo | 50% off for 4 months on select plans

Best SIM-only plan for most people

Best cheap SIM-only plan

Best high-data SIM-only plan

Best 5G SIM-only plan

Best SIM-only plan on the Telstra network

Best SIM-only plan on the Optus network

Best SIM-only plan on the Vodafone network

• Compare Australian smartphone prices on the latest models at Getprice

How we judge the best SIM-only phone plan

Finding the best SIM-only phone plan is a bit tricky, but our experts consider the following aspects:

Data-to-cost ratio: When we analyse a phone plan, the price and data inclusions are paramount. We tend to favour telcos that offer a reasonable amount of data for the price. Plans with high costs and low data allowances typically don't make our shortlist. However, we also consider other crucial factors beyond just cost per gigabyte.

Perks and inclusions: Often, if a plan has low data for a high price, there's usually a good reason – especially with the 'big three' telcos: Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. These providers often include perks like unlimited capped-speed data on their postpaid plans, streaming service inclusions, or full access to their 5G networks.

Deals and special offers: Worthwhile discounts and promotions on monthly or renewable plans are highly ranked in our evaluations. A popular discount structure you’ll see is set out over a monthly time period, say three or six months. These discounts provide significant savings and offer an excellent opportunity to trial a telco's service without a substantial financial commitment.

Network access: While 5G is being rolled out by Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone, this evolving standard of mobile connectivity is not yet available on all phone plans. Although 5G isn't essential for many Australians – its primary benefit is improved data speeds, with 4G still performing capably for mobile use – we do factor 5G access into our evaluations.

The SIM-only plans on this page are checked regularly, so make sure you visit often if you want to get the most up-to-date information on the plans that are currently available.

Vodafone is the most affordable provider among the three major telcos, and its new bonus-data deal is offering up even better value to Aussie customers. For a limited time, you can score 80GB of data for AU$40 a month with Vodafone.

This plan usually costs AU$45 for 80GB of data, so you’ll get AU$5 off your bill every month, for as long as you stay connected to the plan. On top of that, the plan originally came with 30GB of data, so you’re getting an extra 50GB here.

To put the price into perspective, Vodafone’s regular AU$40 plan only gets you 40GB of data, and this deal is doubling that amount for the exact same price. It’s also ahead of Telstra and Optus in terms of value, with Telstra’s entry-level plan costing AU$55 a month for 40GB, while Optus offers 20GB for AU$45 a month.

To secure this deal from Vodafone, you only need to sign up online before the offer ends on March 31.

You can also get this data deal as a SIM-only plan or by pairing it with a phone, such as the iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S22. For a full comparison of Vodafone’s mobile plans, see below:

Vodafone’s a solid choice if you want lots of data at a good price, but it’s held back by having smaller coverage when compared to Telstra and Optus. If you’re in a regional or rural area in Australia, there are some Telstra and Optus supported networks that could suit you better.

Belong uses part of the Telstra 4G network, and it has an 80GB plan that costs AU$45 each month. While that makes it more expensive than Vodafone’s current deal, Belong has an online-only offer that gets you two months for the price of one when you sign up.

There are also good alternatives from smaller telcos on the Optus network. With Circles.Life, you can get 100GB of data for AU$38 a month over your first nine months, before it increases to AU$45 ongoing.

Neither Belong nor Circles.Life will get you 5G connectivity though – if you want that, you should consider Spintel. It uses Optus’ 5G network in selected areas, and will get you 80GB for AU$40 a month for your first six months, before increasing to AU$50 a month ongoing.

• Best SIM-only plans: options for every budget

The best prepaid mobile plans in Australia give you greater control over your finances, not only because you pay upfront for your set inclusions, but also because they are, in general, more affordable than their postpaid counterpart.

And that affordability isn't solely reserved for Australia's smaller telcos, but the big hitters of Vodafone, Optus and Telstra too.

The beauty of prepaid plans is that you can still get a lot for your money, including international calls and texts, a large mobile data allowance or a more suitable renewal cycle without overpaying for features you don't need. Prepaid plans often run on 28-day or 30-day monthly cycles, but can also range from week-long to 365-day alternatives.

Given the wide variety of prepaid plans available, it can be difficult to choose which works best for you. That's why I've analysed all the top offerings to find the best plans for you. Whether you're looking for the cheapest plan or one that will last all year, I've broken down the top options below.

The best prepaid mobile SIM plans in Australia

Best prepaid plan for most people

Best cheap prepaid plan under AU$20

Best unlimited data prepaid plan

Best long expiry prepaid plan

Best Telstra network prepaid plan

Also consider

Best Optus network prepaid plan

Best Vodafone network prepaid plan

Telstra and TPG have today announced a new deal which allows the two major telcos to share network access, greatly improving the latter's coverage in regional and rural areas, which has been a sore point for the network to date.

The TPG Telecom group actually owns a few of Australia's providers, including Vodafone, iiNet and Felix, so all existing and future customers signed up to these telcos will benefit from the deal.

The agreement will mean that all telcos under TPG Telecom will have their 4G mobile coverage extended from around 96% to 98.8% of the Australian population, jumping ahead of Optus (with its current 97.3% reach) and second only to Telstra in Australia, itself measuring 99.2%.

TPG and its associated brands will gain access to roughly 3,700 additional coverage sites, increasing their 4G and 5G footprint fivefold compared with their existing reach.

New hope for regional and rural Australia

At present, many residents in regional and rural areas of Australia have a very limited choice when it comes to mobile providers, as Telstra's plans often present the only real option for obtaining coverage in these regions.

This means that affected customers are paying the premium prices associated with the telco, but the new deal will give these Australians access to more affordable alternatives via Vodafone, iiNet, Felix and even TPG's own mobile service.

The agreement is part of a 10-year deal, with customers being able to see its benefits "by the end of the year," and TPG Telecom has the option to request two extensions of five years apiece, totalling a possible 20-year period.

It's worth noting that the agreement is still subject to approval by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Historically, the ACCC has attempted to block the TPG and Vodafone merger (unsuccessfully), so it's possible that the Aussie consumer watchdog may take issue with the potentially anti-competitive nature of the deal. 

When reaching out to the ACCC, chairman Rod Sims told TechRadar that "this is something we will have to look at very carefully".

For customers in major cities and other urban areas it will be business as usual once the deal goes ahead, with these Aussies continuing to have access to the 4G and 5G networks of the telco they signed up with.

• Best phone plans in Australia: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and more compared

While each of Australia's major telcos has toyed with 'unlimited' plans in the past, they were usually still limited in some way – in fact, the ACCC had to warn telcos not to mislead customers with this claim. 

Vodafone Australia has now launched a SIM-only plan that is truly unlimited, not long after the telco rolled out its first 5G home internet plan offerings.

The Ultra Plus plan offers the top available speeds no matter how much you've already downloaded, and does so for AU$85 per month. It also features unlimited standard talk and text, as well as unlimited international SMS and calls to Zone 1 countries.

This marks the first unlimited plan to be launched in the market by a provider with 5G capabilities, although admittedly Vodafone's coverage isn't nearly as good as Telstra or Optus.

• Best Vodafone mobile plans in Australia

Tethering remains tethered

Although we mentioned that this Vodafone plan is truly unlimited, there is one slight caveat for those looking to use their device to hotspot. 

While you can enjoy maximum speeds when tethering another device to the one that houses your Vodafone SIM, you'll only be able to use 30GB of hotspot data before this speed is capped at 2Mbps. 

Admittedly, this is better than the 1Mbps or 1.5Mbps of previous speed capping, but as Vodafone states, it won't be fast enough for streaming HD video and "isn't a substitute for a home internet service".

One day, we hope to see an unlimited plan that doesn't actually have any limits, but until then, Vodafone's offered us the closest thing to infinity.

• NBN plans: compare providers and best deals at every speed