12 month payment plan. Total minimum cost is $240 (excludes any discount). Additional Data - 1GB for $10. All for use in Australia. Calls and messages to standard Australian numbers. T&Cs Apply.
Prepaid Telstra 4G Network
Boost Prepaid $40.00
• Grab a $40 SIM for 1/2 price now $20! Hurry, ends 24.09.18
• Roll over unused data to your next recharge.
• Data Free Music streaming of Apple Music.
Unlimited Standard SMS
UnlimitedStandard calls
15GB
Data
Data Free Entertainment
• Grab a $40 SIM for 1/2 price now $20! Hurry, ends 24.09.18
For customers who activate or change to Telstra Pre-paid Extra from 3rd July. First recharge before 3 September, remaining 2 within 60 days of first recharge. Telstra Prepaid Extra Plans: Data bank when you recharge $30+ before expiry. Access your Data Bank when you have an active recharge. Day2Day plans. International Minutes charged per destination when first eligible call is made. (Automatic top up of data in 100MB bundles.) See Telstra.com.au for terms and conditions.
Postpaid 3G + 4G from Telstra
Belong Mobile $30.00
• Unlimited international calls & text to 36 selected countries.
• All plans come with Data Vault. You keep all your unused data, forever!
• No lock in contract.
Unlimited Standard SMS
UnlimitedStandard calls
5GB
Data
Data Banking
• Unlimited international calls & text to 36 selected countries.
• All plans come with Data Vault. You keep all your unused data, forever!
For customers who activate or change to Telstra Pre-paid Extra from 3rd July. First recharge before 3 September, remaining 2 within 60 days of first recharge. Telstra Prepaid Extra Plans: Data bank when you recharge $30+ before expiry. Access your Data Bank when you have an active recharge. Day2Day plans. International Minutes charged per destination when first eligible call is made. (Automatic top up of data in 100MB bundles.) See Telstra.com.au for terms and conditions.
This website is here to help you save money on your phone bill this year
Are you looking to compare Australian mobile plans ? Our website is designed to give you the insider information you need, in order to be able to compare the best phone plans on the Australian phone market . In late 2017, we conducted a survey of hundreds of Australian phone users to identify trends which will help you pick a plan you love in 2018. Here’s what we found.
On this page, you’ll find :
We surveyed hundreds of Australians so we could give you the information you need to make an informed choice in 2018. Here’s what we learned.
First, why not use our our FREE downloadable information pack : While you’re researching, are you finding words or jargon you don’t understand ? Are you struggling to know where to start ? Use our guide to get headed in the right direction and to demystify the lingo.
Our summary infographic : If you don’t have long to do your research, check out our infographic. (Below on this page.) It offers a quick overview of the key trends, facts and figures you need to know about how to compare plans in 2018.
Why phone plans could be more expensive in 2018: Only 7% of Australians are committed to comparing phone plans in 2018. We look at phone plan buying behaviors so you can see how you can stay ahead of the pack this year.
The power shift : We explain the way the phone market has changed – and why you just got a lot more power than you used to have, when it comes to picking phone plans.
The 3 biggest trends you need to be aware of : The 4G networks are all remarkably similar now, SIM Only plans have taken over and ,most importantly, a lot of people now buy their phone plans from smaller phone companies. In the ‘3 biggest trends’ section we explain each of these situations – this is the most important information to bear in mind when you’re picking your plan.
They offer more data per $ : Pick a smaller phone company and you’ll get up to twice as much data per GB than you would if you went with a bigger phone company equivalent.
Their customers are happier : Our survey revealed that customers of smaller phone companies are happier with their phone service, on average, than customers of big phone companies. Why pay more to be miserable? We show you the statistics so you can make your own choice.
You’ll often get the same network: Many people don’t realize that if you pick a small phone company, you’ll get exactly the same coverage, speed and priority as customers of the bigger phone companies. We explain how the system works so you can make the right decision.
Telstra are unrivalled in Australia for coverage, with a 3G signal that covers roughly twice the landmass of any other phone company except Boost Mobile.
Unique coverage footprint: Access to 2.5m square Km of the Australian landmass.
Unique video content: Only Telstra provides data free streaming of the AFL, NRL and Australian Gymnastics in their plans.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Telstra Mobile review.
Postpaid | 12 month contracts | On the Telstra 3G and 4G network
Woolies are one of Australia’s most trusted brands. Now, they offer a range of 12 month SIM Only (postpaid) on the Telstra Mobile network. Many Australians visit Woolworths every week making the company’s telco offering familiar and accessible. With Woolies you’ll get
Data bank feature: Woolies are one of three companies which offer a data bank feature. Whatever data you’re given, you keep – forever. (Up to a maximum of 30GB.) In our view, data banking is the fairest way a phone company can treat data.
Nothing you don’t need: Woolies are now an established telco. Their 12 month plans offer decent value and, for most people, who won’t change their phone plans more regularly than once a year anyway, Woolworths make a great ‘set and forget’ option.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Woolworths Mobile review.
Postpaid | Month to Month agreement | On The Telstra Mobile Network 3G+4G
Belong sell access to the Telstra Mobile Network. They have a simple to understand plan structure with options on data, national ($5 extra) and international calls ($5 extra.) Belong also offer the fairest treatment of data that any phone company in Australia have. a ‘data vault’ feature. Whatever data you buy, is yours, forever. It just keeps rolling over until you use it or leave them.
With Belong, you’ll get:
Data Vault: All Belong’s Mobile plans come with ‘data vault’. When you buy your data, it just keeps rolling over until you decide to use it or leave them!
$5 International Calls: And if you want to make Unlimited International Calls (to 10 selected destinations – or to 23 selected countries’ landlines) just add $5.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Belong Mobile review.
Boost Mobile | Best Prepaid Data Rates On The Full Telstra Network
Prepaid | 28 day expiry | On The Telstra Mobile Network 3G+4G
Boost Mobile are a reliable brand. They are the only phone company other than Telstra to resell the full Telstra ‘Retail’ Network. With Boost you’ll get:
The full Telstra Mobile Network Other phone companies resell part of the Telstra Mobile Network. Only Boost and Telstra plans allow you access the whole thing.
Free streamed audio: Data free streaming of Apple Music (requires subscription) on top of the data included in your plan.
A range that includes 7 day and 28 day plans: Boost offer a selection of plans including 7 and 28 day variants.
Recharge options from $10 to $50: Boost have a total of 5 recharge options for their prepaid plans, ranging between $10 and $50.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Boost Mobile review.
Postpaid | Month to month + 12 month contracts | Telstra Mobile Network 3G and 4G
Southern Phone are a well known, full service phone company brand based in New South Wales with some great .
With Southern Phone you’ll get :
A choice of month to month or 12 month agreements: Unusually, Southern Phone offer access to their plans as either 12 month contracts or, month to month agreements.
A choice of the Telstra Mobile 3G + 4G or Optus 3G + 4G Plus network: Southern Phone are one of the few Australian telcos who offer their customers a choice of the Optus or Telstra Mobile network.
Best for bundles: Picking up a SIM Only plan as well as a fixed broadband connection will get you a discount.
Southern Phone Month to Month Phone Plans (All Orange Plans on the Telstra Mobile Network)
Amaysim | Prepaid Plans | Optus Mobile Network 3G+4G
Amaysim are the 4th biggest phone company in Australia with over 1m customers. They consistently have one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry and have prepaid (28 day expiry) plan range – just select the option you want in their checkout. With Amaysim, you’ll get:
Strong plan range: Amaysim have a range starting at $10 per month and rising to $50 per month. Data inclusions are up there with the best available and, with Amaysim, things are nice and simple. You’re just buying voice calls, SMS and data. There are no optional extras.
New International Inclusions: Any plan you buy, starting at $30 per month will now include free International Calls to 12 destinations.
Great Customer Experience: Amaysim are consistently one of the best performing†phone companies when it comes to customer satisfaction.
Vaya Mobile | Winner of The Best Value Plans 2018 Award
Postpaid | Month to month agreement | On the Optus 3G + 4G Network
Vaya offer a range of affordable postpaid plans on the Optus Network. They were recently bought by Amaysim and have cleaned up their image since they were acquired. Customer service complaints are down and they now offer a price match guarantee ñ a unique feature in the Australian market.
With Vaya, you will get:
Access to the full Optus 3G and 4G network: Optus’ 4G network now rivals Telstra for speed and coverage. With Vaya, you can get access to the same thing.
Unique ‘Price match Guarantee’: Uniquely, Vaya will match any other price plan you can
The WhatPhone 2018 Best Value Plans Award: How could we not give Vaya the best value plans award when they will offer to match any other plan on the market?
Nothing you don’t need: Vaya plans don’t have entertainment options, data rollover, data
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Vaya Mobile review.
Postpaid | Month to month + 12 month contracts | Optus 3G and 4G Plus
Southern Phone are a well known, full service phone company brand based in New South Wales with some great .
With Southern Phone you’ll get :
A choice of month to month or 12 month agreements: Unusually, Southern Phone offer access to their plans as either 12 month contracts or, month to month agreements.
A choice of the Telstra Mobile 3G + 4G or Optus 3G + 4G Plus network: Southern Phone are one of the few Australian telcos who offer their customers a choice of the Optus or Telstra Mobile network.
Best for bundles: Picking up a SIM Only plan as well as a fixed broadband connection will get you a discount.
Southern Phone Month to Month Phone Plans (All Green Plans on the Optus 3G+4G Plus Network.)
Postpaid | SIM Only | Month to Month Agreement | Optus 3G + 4G Plus Network
SpinTel are a postpaid provider with a one of the most useful data management features we’ve seen. With SpinTel plans your data is ‘capped’ when you reach your limit. With most other post paid phone plan providers, when you hit your limit, you’ll be charged $10 for an extra GB which is not as fair as we’d like to see.
With SpinTel you’ll get:
Great data pricing: Compare SpinTel to the best of the rest and you’ll see, at the price points they sell, SpinTel are often the best value.
‘Capped plan’ data limits: If you want your phone service’s data to stop at a limit you set, SpinTel are the right phone company for you. So far as we know, they are the only company to offer this feature.
SpinTel plans for your mobile.
Spintel BYO $9.95 = 200 minutes standard calls and unlimited SMS in Oz + 1.5GB
Moose Mobile : WhatPhone 2018 ‘Best Overall’ Award Winner
Postpaid | SIM Only | Month to month agreement | Optus 3G + 4G Plus
Moose are a new Australian phone company which stormed on to the market in early 2017. They offer a fantastic range of plans, with huge data allowances which exceed those available from competitors. Customer feedback has been so good about the company, we had to award them the ‘Best Overall’ award as part of our 2018 review.
With Moose You’ll get:
Best value data inclusions: Starting at less than $10 per month, Moose offer consistently strong pricing, especially on their 4G data inclusions.
Excellent customer feedback: Moost stand out from the pack on customer service with phenomenal online reviews.
Nothing you don’t need: Moose keep it simple. No included streamed audio or video, these are a phone plans with nothing you don’t need.
Moose plans for your mobile
Moose $9 SIM Only = 200 minutes of calls to landlines and mobiles in Oz. Unlimited SMS/MMS in Oz + 1GB.
Prepaid | 30 day expiry | On the Full Optus 3G and 4G Network
OVO’s offer a totally new way of looking at a phone company – they’re one of our best selling partners. Their plans are, pretty much on a par for data inclusions with the best in the industry. In addition to talk time, SMS and data, OVO’s plans include exclusive access to exclusive video content. All of OVO’s plans come with ‘OVO Play’ an app which lets you watch their free content on your plan. With OVO, you’ll get:
Free Video Content – Motorsport, Sailing, Gymnastics & Water Polo : OVO offer a growing list of free video and audio content. Motorsport fans might like the 400 Thunder Professional Drag Racing Series, Australian GT, Formula Drift and other petrol head live streaming. OVO Play also includes other sports like sailing and gymnastics. The price of the content is included in the monthly line rental charge you pay OVO for your prepaid plan. So, importantly: You won’t see your data balance decline while you’re watching them, the streamed content is free.
Free Streamed Audio: OVO’s plans also offer FREE radio streaming, also included in your plan offers access to the Tripple M network and other selected stations.
OVO for Kids: OVO’s plans come with the offer of free access to Parental Lock software. Buy your child the $9.95 plan from OVO and you’ll be able to monitor what they access on their phone and set times for it to turn off and turn on it’s own connection to the internet.
OVO Plans for your mobile
Picking an OVO plan is simple. All of OVO’s plans include Unlimited talk and SMS in Australia to Australian numbers plus superfast 4G data.
$9.95 Unlimited = $500 standard calls and unlimited SMS / MMS + 1GB.
Prepaid | 30 day expiry | On the Full Vodafone 3G and 4G Network
Kogan Mobile keep it simple. They have some of the most competitive SIM Only / Prepaid plans in Australia, on the much improved Vodafone network. With their multi month recharge options, Kogan add some genuine value and choice to the market.
With Kogan, you’ll get
Monthly, quarterly or annual options : Do you want a single recharge payment with a 1, 3 or 12 month validity ? With Kogan, you’ll get discounts for multi-month purchases you were going to make anyway. They add the convenience of less frequent running out / topping up. And they keep the total predictability and flexibility of prepaid.
Kogan’s 30 day plan range :
Kogan’s 30 day plans all have Unlimited talk and SMS in Australia to Australian numbers. The difference is the amount of data which is included.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. See all Kogan Plans including 90 day and 365 day plans. You can find out more about this company in our Kogan Mobile review.
How 2018 will be different : Phone plans are changing. We explain how 2018 will be different to previous years. Specifically, phone plan users will be :
Happier : Customer satisfaction with phone plans is going to go up in 2018. We explain why and how you can harness the trend.
Healthier : People are using personal health tracking equipment at a rapidly rising rate. We explain what that means to you and your phone plan.
More tailored : Phone plans are now being tailored by users to meet their specific needs. We examine the trend so you can use it to your advantage.
More mobile internet : Mobile Broadband is taking off. We explain why and what it means for you if you’re thinking of getting a mobile broadband SIM.
Other influences : Finally, we consider other ideas to bear in mind when comparing phone plans in 2018. In this special section, we cover everything else you could possibly need to know.
First, here’s our quick, FREE downloadable information guide to buying a phone plan in 2018
We want to offer you the support you need while you shop. If you want a written record of the key information we offer on this page, you might like to download our FREE information pack. It explains every phone company related technical term you’re likely to bump in to, it gives you a visual guide to navigating the maze of phone plans and best of all, you won’t pay a penny for it.
Use the results of our research in to Australian phone users and plans to inform your decision.
Just want a quick summary ? Here’s our infographic on 2018 phone plans
Got to rush off ? We’ve summarized the key findings from our research, here, in this infographic.
2018 Phone Plan Comparison Infographic
Why phone plans could be more expensive in 2018
Perhaps the most important trend in 2018, when it comes to keeping your costs down, is the low proportion of people who intend to change their phone plan over the next 12 months. Busy lives mean people don’t have the time to compare. Only 7% of Australians offered a definitive ‘yes’ when asked if they intend to compare their phone plans.
Only 7% of Australians are sure they’ll compare and change phone plans in 2018
That’s a shame. The truth is that comparing and buying a phone plan typically takes 15 minutes or less. Here are the steps to follow.
You can compare phone plans and move to your new provider in under 15 minutes.
The powershift that’s happened in recent years
As we mentioned in the intro, comparison shoppers – like you – have a lot more power now than they ever did. Here’s why the power has shifted to consumers and what that will mean to you in 2018.
Better information: There are a lot more phone companies out there than you might think. Our site provides information from people who used to work in the phone companies so you know what they know. The information is provided free of charge alongside the plans we’d recommend.
More competitors: New entrants in to the market like Moose Mobile on the Optus network, Belong Mobile on the Telstra Mobile Network and Kogan Mobile on the Vodafone network are bringing new things to customers. In 2017, we saw ‘data vault’ released as a product feature for the first time. Once you’ve bought your data, it’s yours forever! Competitors are falling over themselves to improve their products, critically, making them fairer than they used to be. You now have more choice across more products than ever before.
Phones from everywhere: The biggest shift has been a move away from buying phones under more expensive contract from your phone company and towards SIM Only deals. More on these trends below.
More people will be comparing phone plans in 2018 and tailoring their own solutions.
The 3 biggest trends you need to keep in mind when you’re comparing phone plans
Key Trend 1 : SIM Only and prepaid are taking over:
Prepaid plans has always been around 45% of the Australian market. The reduction in the number of contracts sold has led to a rapid rise in postpaid SIM Only plans. People are now far more likely to buy their phone outright and add a SIM than they ever have been before.
Comparing phone plans is more likely to involve a comparison of SIM Only plans than phone contracts.
As well as saving a ton on the total cost of ownership with a new phone, having a mobile plan out of contract helps with the management of your rising data needs. 2017 was the year of the prepaid plan. There are a number of factors combining to make 2018 even better than last year for those comparing a SIM Only, PAYG or prepaid plans in Australia. Here’s a summary.
Key Trend 2 : Todays 4G networks are all the same:
We’ve been brainwashed in to believing that Telstra offer the best network, haven’t we ? Well, here’s a surprise for you. Both Optus’ 4G and Vodafone’s 4G networks are on a par with Testra’s for both coverage and speed. It’s not just us who think it. OpenSignal are one of two independent companies which have compared these networks in studies the Australian coverage of all 3 major phone companies. The results are consistent and remarkably clear across all the surveys which have been run. When it comes to 4G data, there is very little to pick between the phone companies.
The coverage and performance of all of the major 4G networks is now about the same.
Unless you are one of the 2-3% of people who live in the outskirts of Australia, whichever network you get, Optus, Vodafone or Telstra, the availability of 4G signal you receive and the speeds you benefit from will all be the same. You can find out more about Australia’s network coverage information on our dedicated page.
Note : It’s true to say that Telstra’s 3G signal covers twice the land mass of Australia as either Optus or Vodafone. We have dedicated article on the subject here.
Key trend 3: The increasing presence of smaller phone companies:
As if competition between the big phone companies wasn’t enough to push down prices, here come the smaller phone companies. Collectively known as MVNOs, smaller phone companies generally, with the exception of OVO Mobile offer more basic phone plans than Vodafone, Telstra or Optus. They’re doing that successfully, as you will see from our chart, below. Their share of the market is large and growing. 50% of all phone plan purchases were from smaller phone companies in 2017.
A full 50% of new phone plan sales were to smaller phone companies in 2017.
More detail on the most important trend
Small phone companies have happier customers
On average, people who pick a small phone company are more likely to be satisfied with their phone service than those who pick a big phone company.
If you want to be happier with your service, pick a smaller phone company.
Examining the detail of big company vs small company customer satisfaction levels in our survey, reveals that, on average, customers of small phone companies are happier than customers of big phone companies. Vodafone is a notable exception.
You’ll get more data per $ if you buy a plan from a small phone company
It’s not an exact comparison but, roughly, Kogan offers twice as much data for around $30 per month as Vodafone – and they both use exactly the same phone network.
The primary plan feature people compare these days is the data they’ll get per dollar spent in their phone plan. The third and final reason small phone companies are doing so well is that they offer more data at each spend level. Here’s just one example.
You can get twice as much data, for the same monthly spend with smaller phone companies. This example shows pricing valid 13.12.17 – promotional offers removed. Remember, Kogan and Lebara both use EXACTLY the same network as Vodafone.
Note, many bigger phone companies offer value added services that the smaller telcos don’t.
Smaller phone companies often use exactly the same phone network as big phone companies
You are unlikely to know how phone companies really work unless you have been employed by one. Smaller phone companies actually resell the big phone company networks. Here’s how they function.
Remember, whether you go with Optus or one of it’s resellers, you’ll get the same network.
Australia’s big phone companies are Optus, Telstra and Vodafone. Examples of smaller phone companies include Amaysim and Boost Mobile. Smaller phone companies resell the big company networks. You will often get the same coverage and priority if you go to a small phone company, as if you went to a large one. The practical reality is that you can cut your phone bill by going to a smaller phone company – and often get exactly the same network.
Amaysim | Prepaid Plans | Optus Mobile Network 3G+4G
Amaysim are the 4th biggest phone company in Australia with over 1m customers. They consistently have one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry and have prepaid (28 day expiry) plan range – just select the option you want in their checkout. With Amaysim, you’ll get:
Strong plan range: Amaysim have a range starting at $10 per month and rising to $50 per month. Data inclusions are up there with the best available and, with Amaysim, things are nice and simple. You’re just buying voice calls, SMS and data. There are no optional extras.
New International Inclusions: Any plan you buy, starting at $30 per month will now include free International Calls to 12 destinations.
Great Customer Experience: Amaysim are consistently one of the best performing†phone companies when it comes to customer satisfaction.
Vaya Mobile | Winner of The Best Value Plans 2018 Award
Postpaid | Month to month agreement | On the Optus 3G + 4G Network
Vaya offer a range of affordable postpaid plans on the Optus Network. They were recently bought by Amaysim and have cleaned up their image since they were acquired. Customer service complaints are down and they now offer a price match guarantee ñ a unique feature in the Australian market.
With Vaya, you will get:
Access to the full Optus 3G and 4G network: Optus’ 4G network now rivals Telstra for speed and coverage. With Vaya, you can get access to the same thing.
Unique ‘Price match Guarantee’: Uniquely, Vaya will match any other price plan you can
The WhatPhone 2018 Best Value Plans Award: How could we not give Vaya the best value plans award when they will offer to match any other plan on the market?
Nothing you don’t need: Vaya plans don’t have entertainment options, data rollover, data
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Vaya Mobile review.
Postpaid | Month to month + 12 month contracts | Optus 3G and 4G Plus
Southern Phone are a well known, full service phone company brand based in New South Wales with some great .
With Southern Phone you’ll get :
A choice of month to month or 12 month agreements: Unusually, Southern Phone offer access to their plans as either 12 month contracts or, month to month agreements.
A choice of the Telstra Mobile 3G + 4G or Optus 3G + 4G Plus network: Southern Phone are one of the few Australian telcos who offer their customers a choice of the Optus or Telstra Mobile network.
Best for bundles: Picking up a SIM Only plan as well as a fixed broadband connection will get you a discount.
Southern Phone Month to Month Phone Plans (All Green Plans on the Optus 3G+4G Plus Network.)
Postpaid | SIM Only | Month to Month Agreement | Optus 3G + 4G Plus Network
SpinTel are a postpaid provider with a one of the most useful data management features we’ve seen. With SpinTel plans your data is ‘capped’ when you reach your limit. With most other post paid phone plan providers, when you hit your limit, you’ll be charged $10 for an extra GB which is not as fair as we’d like to see.
With SpinTel you’ll get:
Great data pricing: Compare SpinTel to the best of the rest and you’ll see, at the price points they sell, SpinTel are often the best value.
‘Capped plan’ data limits: If you want your phone service’s data to stop at a limit you set, SpinTel are the right phone company for you. So far as we know, they are the only company to offer this feature.
SpinTel plans for your mobile.
Spintel BYO $9.95 = 200 minutes standard calls and unlimited SMS in Oz + 1.5GB
Moose Mobile : WhatPhone 2018 ‘Best Overall’ Award Winner
Postpaid | SIM Only | Month to month agreement | Optus 3G + 4G Plus
Moose are a new Australian phone company which stormed on to the market in early 2017. They offer a fantastic range of plans, with huge data allowances which exceed those available from competitors. Customer feedback has been so good about the company, we had to award them the ‘Best Overall’ award as part of our 2018 review.
With Moose You’ll get:
Best value data inclusions: Starting at less than $10 per month, Moose offer consistently strong pricing, especially on their 4G data inclusions.
Excellent customer feedback: Moost stand out from the pack on customer service with phenomenal online reviews.
Nothing you don’t need: Moose keep it simple. No included streamed audio or video, these are a phone plans with nothing you don’t need.
Moose plans for your mobile
Moose $9 SIM Only = 200 minutes of calls to landlines and mobiles in Oz. Unlimited SMS/MMS in Oz + 1GB.
Prepaid | 30 day expiry | On the Full Optus 3G and 4G Network
OVO’s offer a totally new way of looking at a phone company – they’re one of our best selling partners. Their plans are, pretty much on a par for data inclusions with the best in the industry. In addition to talk time, SMS and data, OVO’s plans include exclusive access to exclusive video content. All of OVO’s plans come with ‘OVO Play’ an app which lets you watch their free content on your plan. With OVO, you’ll get:
Free Video Content – Motorsport, Sailing, Gymnastics & Water Polo : OVO offer a growing list of free video and audio content. Motorsport fans might like the 400 Thunder Professional Drag Racing Series, Australian GT, Formula Drift and other petrol head live streaming. OVO Play also includes other sports like sailing and gymnastics. The price of the content is included in the monthly line rental charge you pay OVO for your prepaid plan. So, importantly: You won’t see your data balance decline while you’re watching them, the streamed content is free.
Free Streamed Audio: OVO’s plans also offer FREE radio streaming, also included in your plan offers access to the Tripple M network and other selected stations.
OVO for Kids: OVO’s plans come with the offer of free access to Parental Lock software. Buy your child the $9.95 plan from OVO and you’ll be able to monitor what they access on their phone and set times for it to turn off and turn on it’s own connection to the internet.
OVO Plans for your mobile
Picking an OVO plan is simple. All of OVO’s plans include Unlimited talk and SMS in Australia to Australian numbers plus superfast 4G data.
$9.95 Unlimited = $500 standard calls and unlimited SMS / MMS + 1GB.
Prepaid | 30 day expiry | On the Full Vodafone 3G and 4G Network
Kogan Mobile keep it simple. They have some of the most competitive SIM Only / Prepaid plans in Australia, on the much improved Vodafone network. With their multi month recharge options, Kogan add some genuine value and choice to the market.
With Kogan, you’ll get
Monthly, quarterly or annual options : Do you want a single recharge payment with a 1, 3 or 12 month validity ? With Kogan, you’ll get discounts for multi-month purchases you were going to make anyway. They add the convenience of less frequent running out / topping up. And they keep the total predictability and flexibility of prepaid.
Kogan’s 30 day plan range :
Kogan’s 30 day plans all have Unlimited talk and SMS in Australia to Australian numbers. The difference is the amount of data which is included.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. See all Kogan Plans including 90 day and 365 day plans. You can find out more about this company in our Kogan Mobile review.
Telstra are unrivalled in Australia for coverage, with a 3G signal that covers roughly twice the landmass of any other phone company except Boost Mobile.
Unique coverage footprint: Access to 2.5m square Km of the Australian landmass.
Unique video content: Only Telstra provides data free streaming of the AFL, NRL and Australian Gymnastics in their plans.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Telstra Mobile review.
Postpaid | 12 month contracts | On the Telstra 3G and 4G network
Woolies are one of Australia’s most trusted brands. Now, they offer a range of 12 month SIM Only (postpaid) on the Telstra Mobile network. Many Australians visit Woolworths every week making the company’s telco offering familiar and accessible. With Woolies you’ll get
Data bank feature: Woolies are one of three companies which offer a data bank feature. Whatever data you’re given, you keep – forever. (Up to a maximum of 30GB.) In our view, data banking is the fairest way a phone company can treat data.
Nothing you don’t need: Woolies are now an established telco. Their 12 month plans offer decent value and, for most people, who won’t change their phone plans more regularly than once a year anyway, Woolworths make a great ‘set and forget’ option.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Woolworths Mobile review.
Postpaid | Month to Month agreement | On The Telstra Mobile Network 3G+4G
Belong sell access to the Telstra Mobile Network. They have a simple to understand plan structure with options on data, national ($5 extra) and international calls ($5 extra.) Belong also offer the fairest treatment of data that any phone company in Australia have. a ‘data vault’ feature. Whatever data you buy, is yours, forever. It just keeps rolling over until you use it or leave them.
With Belong, you’ll get:
Data Vault: All Belong’s Mobile plans come with ‘data vault’. When you buy your data, it just keeps rolling over until you decide to use it or leave them!
$5 International Calls: And if you want to make Unlimited International Calls (to 10 selected destinations – or to 23 selected countries’ landlines) just add $5.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Belong Mobile review.
Boost Mobile | Best Prepaid Data Rates On The Full Telstra Network
Prepaid | 28 day expiry | On The Telstra Mobile Network 3G+4G
Boost Mobile are a reliable brand. They are the only phone company other than Telstra to resell the full Telstra ‘Retail’ Network. With Boost you’ll get:
The full Telstra Mobile Network Other phone companies resell part of the Telstra Mobile Network. Only Boost and Telstra plans allow you access the whole thing.
Free streamed audio: Data free streaming of Apple Music (requires subscription) on top of the data included in your plan.
A range that includes 7 day and 28 day plans: Boost offer a selection of plans including 7 and 28 day variants.
Recharge options from $10 to $50: Boost have a total of 5 recharge options for their prepaid plans, ranging between $10 and $50.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Boost Mobile review.
Postpaid | Month to month + 12 month contracts | Telstra Mobile Network 3G and 4G
Southern Phone are a well known, full service phone company brand based in New South Wales with some great .
With Southern Phone you’ll get :
A choice of month to month or 12 month agreements: Unusually, Southern Phone offer access to their plans as either 12 month contracts or, month to month agreements.
A choice of the Telstra Mobile 3G + 4G or Optus 3G + 4G Plus network: Southern Phone are one of the few Australian telcos who offer their customers a choice of the Optus or Telstra Mobile network.
Best for bundles: Picking up a SIM Only plan as well as a fixed broadband connection will get you a discount.
Southern Phone Month to Month Phone Plans (All Orange Plans on the Telstra Mobile Network)
Why 2018 will be different when it comes to buying phone plans
More Self Service App use means happier phone users
Our research shows that 2018 is going to be even better than 2017 for consumers. Our survey revealed that there will be a 22% increase in the number of people using the Self Service app their phone company provides. Self service apps are the number 1 way people can improve their level of customer satisfaction – essentially how happy they are – with their existing phone company.
Install and use the Self Service app from your phone company in 2018, if you haven’t already done so.
Most phone companies offer a free, downloadable, Self Service app which can be used to manage your account. It tracks your bills, data usage, and can answer simple questions you might have. Installation takes seconds. I you install the app on your own phone, the phone company will identify you through your phone number and there are no login details required.
People should download these free apps. As you will see on the next diagram, they will make you happier with your service.
From the phone company side, there is an education gap around the self service app. Nearly 20% don’t know what these self service apps are is and less than 10% intend to try it in 2018.
The range 7-10 out of 10 on a customer satisfaction score is often called the ‘Net Promoter Score’. People are far more likely to give that sort of ranking to their phone company if they use the Self Service App.
As the chart and our survey shows, a higher proportion of users ranked their telco with 7-10 out of 10 on a customer satisfaction scale, than those who did not have the app installed.
The number of people with connected wearables is increasing
The ‘Internet Of Things’ (IoT) is a term used to describe gadgets which are connected to the internet. Wearables are a great example. Your Fitbit or Apple Watch is increasingly likely to come with it’s own SIM card installed. SIM cards too, are an area of innovation with the Apple Watch containing a new ‘eSIM’ which promises to make future wearables smaller and easier to connect to cellular networks.
Wearables are primarily used to measure health and fitness related information. Australia is known as a country of ‘early adopter’s. It’s us who took to Social Media first in huge numbers and bought iPhones faster than other countries. The same is proving true of Australian adoption of wearable devices. The growth in the number of Australians prepared to try a wearable is similar to that we saw with SmartPhone adoption 10 years ago.
Our survey indicates that 7% of people already have an internet connected wearable and that number is set to grow by 40% in 2018.
Wearable technology is going to be a key trend in 2018. All these wearables will need a wireless / cellular data connection.
The most important ramifications of this trend will apply to phone companies. Individuals now have and need multiple SIMs, often with a single phone number, as we saw with the Apple Watch. Phone companies have invited technology to deal with this need. Telstra, for example, provide a ‘One Number’ solution for the Apple Watch 3. Ironically, although Telstra and others among the big telco brand have had challenging times recently, their billing system facilities may help them win back the customers they’re losing. It’s only the big phone companies which offer data sharing, which, as we connect more and more of our possessions to the internet will become exponentially more valuable.
For now, our 2018 phone usage survey revealed that we will be a healthier bunch, as an increasing number of us use internet connected wearables to track the ‘measured self.’
2018 will see us tie together more tailored phone plan solutions
As we’ve seen, the power is shifting to users of phone plans and away from the big phone companies. One way this is showing up in life is the proportion of users who are buying their own phone outright and adding a SIM. Our survey indicates that, in 2018, this will be the most common way people acquire a phone.
In 2018, we’re going to see people using the incredible range of phone companies and plans that are available to tailor phone plans to be exactly what they want them to be.
Buying a phone outright, frees people from being tied into a contract with their phone company. It allows them to pick a plan tailored to their needs. Contracts still play a role for those wishing to avoid the upfront cost of a device but the proportion of people who are trapped in to these agreements will decrease over time. People on SIM Only plans are free to move plans and even networks when better deals, with more data become available. (See data deflation commentary below.) These people can also experiment with smaller phone companies and benefit from their better pricing.
Mobile Broadband will continue to explode
One of the biggest trends which revealed itself in 2017 was the uptake of mobile broadband plans which Australians invested in for the first time. We saw an enormous amount of interest in these relatively new plans. Phone companies have offered data only bundles for tablets and laptops for many years. Data allowances tended to be small – below 20GB per month, for example. 2017 saw a change in both the size and affordability of these data plans.
Mobile Broadband bundles 30GB or more really took off in 2017. 2018 is going to see this growth continue.
Mobile Broadband does many of the things people value better than fixed alternatives. is cheaper, faster and perceived to be more reliable than fixed connections, particularly the NBN. Mobile Broadband services meet needs that fixed broadband does not – entertaining the kids with You Tube on long journeys, helping students and business people work wherever they want to.
Given the problems NBN customers have experienced, it could be that mobile broadband grows in to a threat, perhaps even a replacement for NBN broadband connections. As a result, 2018 could be a pivotal year for the NBN. Mobile broadband threatens their entire investment.
Summing up 2018 for phone plan users
It may not feel like it but things are moving fast. In the last few years alone, we’ve started buying our phones ourselves, adding SIM plans we’ve found, often from smaller phone companies. We’re taking advantage of the fairer plans which some companies offer. We’’re connecting more of our possessions and gadgets to the internet and adding mobile broadband connections to our list of phone services, in some case replacing fixed NBN connections with them.
We’re going to have to get used to having multiple SIMs to manage and using the tools available to us to do that.
It’s not hard to imagine an Australian buying an Apple Watch from Amazon, an iPhone from MobileCiti and adding a Kogan which provides data to both. The same individual may also invest in a mobile broadband connection, say, from OVO, one of the leaders in that particular field.
The next generation of advances in telco, in 2018, 2019 and beyond, are likely to be in the area of improving the customer experience around managing these multiple SIMs. Phone bills already take up around 5% of Australian income. It’s time the phone companies started giving us the tools to limit the cost of these additional connections. After all, it’s them who are trying to sell those new services to us.
Other influences that will affect us in 2018
If that’s not enough, there are some smaller forces exerting their influence on the market for phone plans. Here’s our view of the other significant factors you might like to bear in mind.
Data price deflation: Data price deflation is the constant reduction in the price of a GB (the unit) of data per dollar spent. Where once, you paid $30 a month for 300 MB of data, you can now get 3GB or more in a plan, for the same monthly spend. Users benefit from this price reduction – so long as they stay out of contracts.
Many phone companies now offer entertainment as part of their phone plans: Content may, Below, if the USA is anything to go by, turn the phone companies you ‘know and love’ in to phone and media entities. The effect on Australia is multifaceted. First, now, there’s a tiered system of phone plans, some with entertainment and some without. Comparing a mobile plan these days involves establishing entertainment options, if any, are important to you. The answer might completely alter the phone company you pick. If you buy a SIM only or prepaid plan from Optus or Telstra you will get some form of zero rated service. One example is internet radio. Optus offer it on their prepaid plans through Spotify, Pandora and other providers. Telstra offer streamed audio from Apple. The data you use to get access to these services is not charged to your data allowance. What this means to you is that it’s worth thinking about how you use (or how you would like to use) your phone. If you have a long commute, if you listen to streamed music or have a service like Netflix at home, it could be that accessing it, across the mobile internet is something that would add value to your plan. If this is the case, you should be considering Optus prepaid, Optus postpaid, Telstra prepaid, Telstra postpaid and OVO Mobile plans. These companies lead the way when it comes to included entertainment in plans. If, however, those inclusions don’t appeal, you might want to consider the phone services that a growing number of Australians use. Smaller phone company SIMS.
We’re here to help you compare mobile plans
In our view, last year was the biggest year in history for Australian telco. The future looks set to deliver even more dramatic change. 5G is just around the corner, scheduled for 2020 release. That could present the phone companies with an existential risk to their pricing options on data and drive the uptake of those mobile broadband bundles we saw, as alternatives to the NBN.
And, in to this mix, comes shortly, the eSIM. The eSIM / Soft SIM / electronic SIM is, itself, the biggest bit of technological progress which has yet been made in telco. It will replace the physical SIM we are all used to buying, with a software SIM. In simple terms, that means you will no longer need to go shopping to pick up a prepaid SIM. You can change your phone company like you change your TV channel, with the press of a button. In the future, to get access to their network, you will go to settings on your iPhone and pick them from the list of options. The trend which is putting power in the hands of consumers and removing it from the phone companies is set to continue.
Prepaid | 30 day expiry | On the Full Vodafone 3G and 4G Network
Kogan Mobile keep it simple. They have some of the most competitive SIM Only / Prepaid plans in Australia, on the much improved Vodafone network. With their multi month recharge options, Kogan add some genuine value and choice to the market.
With Kogan, you’ll get
Monthly, quarterly or annual options : Do you want a single recharge payment with a 1, 3 or 12 month validity ? With Kogan, you’ll get discounts for multi-month purchases you were going to make anyway. They add the convenience of less frequent running out / topping up. And they keep the total predictability and flexibility of prepaid.
Kogan’s 30 day plan range :
Kogan’s 30 day plans all have Unlimited talk and SMS in Australia to Australian numbers. The difference is the amount of data which is included.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. See all Kogan Plans including 90 day and 365 day plans. You can find out more about this company in our Kogan Mobile review.
Telstra are unrivalled in Australia for coverage, with a 3G signal that covers roughly twice the landmass of any other phone company except Boost Mobile.
Unique coverage footprint: Access to 2.5m square Km of the Australian landmass.
Unique video content: Only Telstra provides data free streaming of the AFL, NRL and Australian Gymnastics in their plans.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Telstra Mobile review.
Postpaid | 12 month contracts | On the Telstra 3G and 4G network
Woolies are one of Australia’s most trusted brands. Now, they offer a range of 12 month SIM Only (postpaid) on the Telstra Mobile network. Many Australians visit Woolworths every week making the company’s telco offering familiar and accessible. With Woolies you’ll get
Data bank feature: Woolies are one of three companies which offer a data bank feature. Whatever data you’re given, you keep – forever. (Up to a maximum of 30GB.) In our view, data banking is the fairest way a phone company can treat data.
Nothing you don’t need: Woolies are now an established telco. Their 12 month plans offer decent value and, for most people, who won’t change their phone plans more regularly than once a year anyway, Woolworths make a great ‘set and forget’ option.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Woolworths Mobile review.
Postpaid | Month to Month agreement | On The Telstra Mobile Network 3G+4G
Belong sell access to the Telstra Mobile Network. They have a simple to understand plan structure with options on data, national ($5 extra) and international calls ($5 extra.) Belong also offer the fairest treatment of data that any phone company in Australia have. a ‘data vault’ feature. Whatever data you buy, is yours, forever. It just keeps rolling over until you use it or leave them.
With Belong, you’ll get:
Data Vault: All Belong’s Mobile plans come with ‘data vault’. When you buy your data, it just keeps rolling over until you decide to use it or leave them!
$5 International Calls: And if you want to make Unlimited International Calls (to 10 selected destinations – or to 23 selected countries’ landlines) just add $5.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Belong Mobile review.
Boost Mobile | Best Prepaid Data Rates On The Full Telstra Network
Prepaid | 28 day expiry | On The Telstra Mobile Network 3G+4G
Boost Mobile are a reliable brand. They are the only phone company other than Telstra to resell the full Telstra ‘Retail’ Network. With Boost you’ll get:
The full Telstra Mobile Network Other phone companies resell part of the Telstra Mobile Network. Only Boost and Telstra plans allow you access the whole thing.
Free streamed audio: Data free streaming of Apple Music (requires subscription) on top of the data included in your plan.
A range that includes 7 day and 28 day plans: Boost offer a selection of plans including 7 and 28 day variants.
Recharge options from $10 to $50: Boost have a total of 5 recharge options for their prepaid plans, ranging between $10 and $50.
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Boost Mobile review.
Postpaid | Month to month + 12 month contracts | Telstra Mobile Network 3G and 4G
Southern Phone are a well known, full service phone company brand based in New South Wales with some great .
With Southern Phone you’ll get :
A choice of month to month or 12 month agreements: Unusually, Southern Phone offer access to their plans as either 12 month contracts or, month to month agreements.
A choice of the Telstra Mobile 3G + 4G or Optus 3G + 4G Plus network: Southern Phone are one of the few Australian telcos who offer their customers a choice of the Optus or Telstra Mobile network.
Best for bundles: Picking up a SIM Only plan as well as a fixed broadband connection will get you a discount.
Southern Phone Month to Month Phone Plans (All Orange Plans on the Telstra Mobile Network)
Amaysim | Prepaid Plans | Optus Mobile Network 3G+4G
Amaysim are the 4th biggest phone company in Australia with over 1m customers. They consistently have one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry and have prepaid (28 day expiry) plan range – just select the option you want in their checkout. With Amaysim, you’ll get:
Strong plan range: Amaysim have a range starting at $10 per month and rising to $50 per month. Data inclusions are up there with the best available and, with Amaysim, things are nice and simple. You’re just buying voice calls, SMS and data. There are no optional extras.
New International Inclusions: Any plan you buy, starting at $30 per month will now include free International Calls to 12 destinations.
Great Customer Experience: Amaysim are consistently one of the best performing†phone companies when it comes to customer satisfaction.
Vaya Mobile | Winner of The Best Value Plans 2018 Award
Postpaid | Month to month agreement | On the Optus 3G + 4G Network
Vaya offer a range of affordable postpaid plans on the Optus Network. They were recently bought by Amaysim and have cleaned up their image since they were acquired. Customer service complaints are down and they now offer a price match guarantee ñ a unique feature in the Australian market.
With Vaya, you will get:
Access to the full Optus 3G and 4G network: Optus’ 4G network now rivals Telstra for speed and coverage. With Vaya, you can get access to the same thing.
Unique ‘Price match Guarantee’: Uniquely, Vaya will match any other price plan you can
The WhatPhone 2018 Best Value Plans Award: How could we not give Vaya the best value plans award when they will offer to match any other plan on the market?
Nothing you don’t need: Vaya plans don’t have entertainment options, data rollover, data
All talk time and SMS for use in Australia to Australian numbers. All data is for use in Australia. You can learn more about this company in our Vaya Mobile review.
Postpaid | Month to month + 12 month contracts | Optus 3G and 4G Plus
Southern Phone are a well known, full service phone company brand based in New South Wales with some great .
With Southern Phone you’ll get :
A choice of month to month or 12 month agreements: Unusually, Southern Phone offer access to their plans as either 12 month contracts or, month to month agreements.
A choice of the Telstra Mobile 3G + 4G or Optus 3G + 4G Plus network: Southern Phone are one of the few Australian telcos who offer their customers a choice of the Optus or Telstra Mobile network.
Best for bundles: Picking up a SIM Only plan as well as a fixed broadband connection will get you a discount.
Southern Phone Month to Month Phone Plans (All Green Plans on the Optus 3G+4G Plus Network.)
Postpaid | SIM Only | Month to Month Agreement | Optus 3G + 4G Plus Network
SpinTel are a postpaid provider with a one of the most useful data management features we’ve seen. With SpinTel plans your data is ‘capped’ when you reach your limit. With most other post paid phone plan providers, when you hit your limit, you’ll be charged $10 for an extra GB which is not as fair as we’d like to see.
With SpinTel you’ll get:
Great data pricing: Compare SpinTel to the best of the rest and you’ll see, at the price points they sell, SpinTel are often the best value.
‘Capped plan’ data limits: If you want your phone service’s data to stop at a limit you set, SpinTel are the right phone company for you. So far as we know, they are the only company to offer this feature.
SpinTel plans for your mobile.
Spintel BYO $9.95 = 200 minutes standard calls and unlimited SMS in Oz + 1.5GB
Moose Mobile : WhatPhone 2018 ‘Best Overall’ Award Winner
Postpaid | SIM Only | Month to month agreement | Optus 3G + 4G Plus
Moose are a new Australian phone company which stormed on to the market in early 2017. They offer a fantastic range of plans, with huge data allowances which exceed those available from competitors. Customer feedback has been so good about the company, we had to award them the ‘Best Overall’ award as part of our 2018 review.
With Moose You’ll get:
Best value data inclusions: Starting at less than $10 per month, Moose offer consistently strong pricing, especially on their 4G data inclusions.
Excellent customer feedback: Moost stand out from the pack on customer service with phenomenal online reviews.
Nothing you don’t need: Moose keep it simple. No included streamed audio or video, these are a phone plans with nothing you don’t need.
Moose plans for your mobile
Moose $9 SIM Only = 200 minutes of calls to landlines and mobiles in Oz. Unlimited SMS/MMS in Oz + 1GB.
Prepaid | 30 day expiry | On the Full Optus 3G and 4G Network
OVO’s offer a totally new way of looking at a phone company – they’re one of our best selling partners. Their plans are, pretty much on a par for data inclusions with the best in the industry. In addition to talk time, SMS and data, OVO’s plans include exclusive access to exclusive video content. All of OVO’s plans come with ‘OVO Play’ an app which lets you watch their free content on your plan. With OVO, you’ll get:
Free Video Content – Motorsport, Sailing, Gymnastics & Water Polo : OVO offer a growing list of free video and audio content. Motorsport fans might like the 400 Thunder Professional Drag Racing Series, Australian GT, Formula Drift and other petrol head live streaming. OVO Play also includes other sports like sailing and gymnastics. The price of the content is included in the monthly line rental charge you pay OVO for your prepaid plan. So, importantly: You won’t see your data balance decline while you’re watching them, the streamed content is free.
Free Streamed Audio: OVO’s plans also offer FREE radio streaming, also included in your plan offers access to the Tripple M network and other selected stations.
OVO for Kids: OVO’s plans come with the offer of free access to Parental Lock software. Buy your child the $9.95 plan from OVO and you’ll be able to monitor what they access on their phone and set times for it to turn off and turn on it’s own connection to the internet.
OVO Plans for your mobile
Picking an OVO plan is simple. All of OVO’s plans include Unlimited talk and SMS in Australia to Australian numbers plus superfast 4G data.
$9.95 Unlimited = $500 standard calls and unlimited SMS / MMS + 1GB.
Buffering videos and limited downloads will soon be a thing of the past. With 5G technology almost at the door, the future could offer download speeds up to ten times faster than the current LTE networks in Australia. Telecommunications companies like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone are already working extensively to bring 5G to their customers.
After a great deal of speculation and rumours, the new, 2018 iPhones have been released. One of the biggest surprises this year, was the news of how much they cost, with prices ranging from $1,229 to $2,369 Australian. Buying an iPhone isn’t meant to be a family budget decision – people buy iPhones for
In July 2015, Telstra Corporation Ltd shares were trading at $6.50. Today, those same shares have lost more than half their value and trade at $2.82. In three years, Telstra has seen a devastating slide in revenue – but it’s not just Telstra that is feeling the pinch. Other telcos are finding it difficult
