Telstra is the leading telecommunications company in Australia, forming the nation's 'big three' telcos alongside Vodafone and Optus. Telstra leads the pack, however, offering the country's greatest network coverage, which reaches 99.7% of Australians."
For years, this dominant coverage has seen Telstra be the only viable option for many regional Aussies. However, connecting to its network comes at a steep and recently increased cost. Starting July 1, Telstra's mobile plan prices will rise by AU$5 p/m, with the basic and essential plans increasing to AU$70 p/m and AU$80 p/m from AU$65 and AU$75 p/m respectively.
For reference, Vodafone's comparative plans currently cost just AU$39 and AU$49, while Optus' plans cost AU$55 and AU$65 p/m. And, after the TPG-Optus partnership, both telcos boast a network coverage of just under 99% – providing rural Australians with greater choice and reducing Telstra's number one drawcard. Still, there's no denying Telstra offers a premium product – it's just priced as such.
Fortunately, you can access Telstra's comprehensive coverage without exorbitant prices by choosing a plan from one of the many mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) that use the Telstra network. You don't need to spend hours comparing plans; we've done the work for you.
Below, discover everything you need to know about other network providers that let you access the Telstra network for much less. Alternatively, you can check out 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
Best high data SIM-only plan on the Telstra network
Telstra’s mobile network
- Basic plan: 50GB for AU$65 p/m (AU$70 p/m from July 1)
- Essential plan: 180GB for AU$75 p/m (AU$80 p/m from July 1)
- Premium plan: 300GB for AU$99 p/m (Telstra states "plan price may change")
Telstra's mobile plans are the most expensive in Australia. Prices increased by up to AU$6 per month in July 2023, and again by up to AU$4 per month on August 27, 2024. These increases continue – with another set for July 1, 2025, that will raise the prices of its 25GB Mobile Bundle, 50GB Basic Plan, and 180GB Essential Plan by AU$5 p/m.
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’s 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
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- 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 500GB. 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$25 plan, spending AU$250 on groceries could offset the cost of your mobile bill entirely.
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
