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Best MVNO plans on the Telstra network
Get Telstra coverage without the expensive price tag with our top picks from Telstra MVNOs. We've compared over 160 mobile plans on the Telstra network to help you find the best deal.
Our team of mobile plan experts have compared 164 mobile plans on the Telstra network from 23 mobile providers in Australia. We've curated 7 top picks based on price, data and expert analysis. Not every mobile plan will suit your needs so make sure you compare your options before choosing the right one for you.
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $25: Tangerine 12GB 4G SIM
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $30: Belong 25GB
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $40: Tangerine 50GB 5G SIM
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $50: Belong 100GB
Best prepaid plan on the Telstra network: Belong 40GB
Best 5G mobile plan on the Telstra network: Belong 40GB
Best 12 month Telstra network plan: Boost $230 SIM
Expert picks reviewed by Mariam Gabaji – Utilities editor at Finder
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $25: Tangerine
12GB
Ongoing
$22/month
Ongoing
Tangerine is a great plan to consider if you have a monthly budget of under $25. Suited for low data users with its decent data inclusion that you can rollover up to 500GB.
Network: Wholesale Telstra 4G network
Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls & texts
International inclusions: None
Total cost over first 12 months (for regular customers): $264
What we like about Tangerine:
Extend the value of your mobile plan with data banking of up to 500GB.
Includes unlimited standard calls and texts in Australia.
No lock-in contract.
Watch out for:
Download speeds are capped at 100Mbps on the 4G network.
No bundling discount available for those on a Tangerine NBN plan.
To find the best Telstra network mobile plan under $25, we looked at mobile plans on Finder that run on both the full and wholesale Telstra network and cost under $25 per month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the mobile plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $30: Belong
Telstra's budget brand Belong comes in strong under $30, with 25GB of monthly data and no excess data charges if you go over this limit. There's also access to Telstra's wholesale 5G network if you're within its coverage area.
Network: Wholesale Telstra 5G network
Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls & texts
International inclusions: Additional $5 per month for unlimited international calls & texts to 30 countries
Total cost over first 12 months (for regular customers): $348
What we like about Belong:
No excess data charges if you go over 25GB a month, instead your download speeds slow down to 1Mbps until your next payment cycle
Unlimited data banking available - this is pretty rare, with most providers capping you between 200-500GB
Add on an international calling pack for an extra $5 a month, available for selected destinations
Watch out for:
Download speeds are capped at 150Mbps on the 4G and 5G networks
Access to the wholesale Telstra network, not the full network (there's a 0.7% difference in coverage)
To find the best Telstra network mobile plan under $30, we compared mobile plans on Finder that run on both the full and wholesale Telstra networks and cost under $30 per month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $40: Tangerine
50GB
Ongoing
$38/month
Ongoing
Tangerine's 50GB plan gives you more bang for your buck, is also one of the few plans with unlimited internationals calls & texts included.
Network: Wholesale Telstra 5G network
Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls & texts
International inclusions: Unlimited international calls and texts to 15 selected countries
Total cost over first 12 months (for regular customers): $456
What we like about Tangerine:
Extend the value of your mobile plan with data banking.
All Tangerine plans are eSIM ready.
Watch out for:
Access to the wholesale Telstra network, not the full network (there's a 0.7% difference in coverage).
To find the best Telstra network mobile plan under $40, we looked at Telstra network mobile plans on Finder that cost under $40 per month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $50: Belong
You won't find a better value Telstra network mobile plan for under $50, with Belong offering the most amount of data at this price point.
Network: Wholesale Telstra 5G network
Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls & texts
International inclusions: Additional $5 per month for unlimited international calls & texts to 30 countries
Total cost over first 12 months (for regular customers): $540
What we like about Belong:
Unlimited data banking available so you can save any unused data.
Add on an international calling pack for an extra $5 a month, available for selected destinations.
Watch out for:
Download speeds are capped at 150Mbps on the 4G and 5G networks.
Access to the wholesale Telstra network, not the full network (there's a 0.7% difference in coverage).
We looked at Telstra network mobile plans on Finder that cost under $50 per month. We then gave each shortlisted plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Belong, owned by Telstra, offers access to a good amount of data without breaking the bank. Plus, you get the added benefit of being with a carbon neutral provider.
Network: Wholesale Telstra 5G network
Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls & texts
International inclusions: Additional $5 per month for unlimited international calls & texts to 30 countries
Total cost over first 12 months (for regular customers): $420
What we like about Boost:
It offers unlimited data banking which is handy if you don't want your data to go to waste.
There are no excess data charges meaning once you've gone through your monthly data allowance, your speeds will be slowed down to 1Mbps until your next recharge.
If you have a compatible device you'll be able to take advantage of the 5G network.
Watch out for:
4G and 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps but this is still fast enough for browsing, gaming, streaming and more.
We compared prepaid plans on Finder that run on the full and wholesale Telstra network for $35 or under per month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was chosen based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Make the most of fast 5G speeds with Belong's 40GB SIM. You won't pay any extra for 5G access on the Telstra wholesale network, but keep in mind that speeds are capped at 150Mbps.
Network: Wholesale Telstra 5G network
Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls & texts
International inclusions: Additional $5 per month for unlimited international calls & texts to 30 countries
Total cost over first 12 months (for regular customers): $420
What we like about Belong:
5G access included as standard on your Belong plan.
You wont be charged for excess data with this plan.
Add on international calls and texts to 30 selected destinations for an extra $5 a month.
Watch out for:
Download speeds are capped at 150Mbps on the 4G and 5G networks.
Access to the wholesale Telstra network which has slightly less coverage than the full network.
We compared mobile plans on Finder that run on the full and wholesale 5G Telstra network for $35 or under per month. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data over 12 months (including promotional offers), network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
Boost Mobile's 12-month prepaid plan lets you pay for your plan in advance to scoop up the savings over the year. It's the equivalent of 14GB for $19 a month.
Network: Telstra 5G network
Calls + texts: Unlimited standard national calls and texts
International inclusions: Unlimited standard international calls to 20 selected countries, 1200 minutes to 30 selected countries and 1200 standard texts to any country
Total cost over first 12 months (for regular customers): $230
What we like about Boost:
Access the full Telstra network rather than the wholesale one - Boost is the only prepaid provider outside of Telstra itself that offers this.
Get a bonus 10GB when you sign up for the first 12 months.
International roaming packs available to add on for selected destinations.
Watch out for:
Download speeds are capped at 150Mbps on the 4G and 5G networks.
Data reverts to 160GB per recharge after the first 12 months.
We compared 12-month and 365-day prepaid mobile plans on Finder that run on the full and wholesale Telstra network for $250 or under per year, including any promotional deals. We then gave each plan a value score by assigning weights to a number of factors including cost per data, network coverage, international call inclusions, data rollover and Wi-Fi calling. Our top pick was based on the plan with the highest value score from a Finder partner.
What are the Telstra network providers in Australia?
There are almost 20 smaller providers or MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators) that use Telstra's mobile network.
Keep in mind that access to Telstra's mobile network works in 2 ways:
Full Telstra network coverage. This is only available through Telstra itself and Boost Mobile. JB Hi-Fi's mobile plans are a bit of a special case as it resells Telstra's plans under its own brand so it also gets full access. This covers 99.5% of Australians.
Wholesale Telstra network coverage. All other MVNOs run off the wholesale network, which covers 98.8% of Australians in comparison. While the difference is only 0.7%, those in regional and rural areas may be affected by the slight decrease in coverage.
We've broken down all the Telstra network providers available on Finder.
Provider
Network
5G
Telstra
Full Telstra
✅
Boost Mobile
Full Telstra
✅
JB Hi-Fi
Full Telstra
✅
Alphacall
Full Telstra
❌
Belong
Wholesale Telstra
✅
ALDImobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Everyday Mobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
TeleChoice
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Tangerine Telecom
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Pennytel
Wholesale Telstra
✅
TelSim
Wholesale Telstra
✅
numobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
MATE Mobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Konec
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Exetel Mobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
CMobile
Wholesale Telstra
✅
More
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Goodtel
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Superloop
Wholesale Telstra
✅
Lycamobile
Wholesale Telstra
❌
BetterLife
Wholesale Telstra
❌
Escapenet
Wholesale Telstra
❌
Having the option for a 5G trial allows you to test speeds before committing to a 5G mobile plan down the line as they can come with the heavier price tag.
You can see the difference between the full Telstra network coverage and wholesale coverage in the images below.
How do you find the best mobile plan on the Telstra network?
The key here is to understand the difference between full Telstra coverage and wholesale.
Apart from Boost Mobile, other smaller providers using Telstra have access to its wholesale 4G network which covers 98.8% of the Aussie population compared to 99.5% on the full network.
Unless you live in a very remote area, Telstra's wholesale network should suit you well.
Expert tip: If you aren't sure Telstra's wholesale network will suit your needs or location, sign up to a cheap plan and take it for a spin. On the off chance that you do notice a difference, just ditch the plan and sign up with Boost Mobile or Telstra itself.
I've been with Boost Mobile for 4 years now and have definitely noticed the difference of being on the full Telstra network, compared to the wholesale network. If my partner and I are hiking in the Blue Mountains, his reception will usually fizzle out before mine as he's with Everyday Mobile which runs on the slightly smaller wholesale network.
With Woolworths Mobile, you can get a mobile plan on its own or pair your SIM with a phone plan. It stocks the latest Samsung S23 or other popular Android devices.
You will also get 10% off your monthly groceries (up to $50) with a Woolworths Mobile plan
Data banking is available on most plans up to 500GB
Offers unlimited international calls to 22 countries on most of its plans, otherwise you can add on for an extra $5 a month
MATE's mobile plans offer great bang for buck and it does one better when you bundle mobile and NBN. In return you'll get $10 off per month. You also get:
Data banking up to 500GB
Unlimited international calls and texts to 15 selected countries on most plans
How we researched the best mobile plans on the Telstra network
We looked at mobile plans in our database designed for personal use that run on both full and wholesale Telstra networks.
Other selection criteria to narrow down our shortlist included looking at active Finder partners across the categories which allowed for this.
Promotional discounts were also taken into account during scoring.
Best Telstra network mobile plan categories
Each month, we select the best Telstra network mobile plans across 7 categories.
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $25: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to plans equal to or under $25.
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $30: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to plans equal to or under $30.
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $40: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to plans equal to or under $40.
Best Telstra network mobile plan under $50: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to plans equal to or under $50.
Best prepaid plan on the Telstra network: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to prepaid plans equal to or under $35.
Best 5G mobile plan on the Telstra network: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to 5G plans equal to or under $35.
Best 12 month Telstra network plan: Based on our internal value scoring system, limiting results to 12-month and 365-day prepaid plans equal to or under $250.
How does Finder's value scoring system work?
For certain categories, we use a value scoring system to choose the best mobile plan on the Telstra network by scoring the following factors:
Cost per gigabyte. This is calculated by taking the price of the plan over 12 months divided by the amount of data (GB). The price includes any promotional offers that are valid for 2 or more weeks from when we selected the plan.
Network coverage. We awarded scores depending on how wide the network coverage is across Australia.
Data rollover. We weight providers that offer data rollover higher than those that don't have this feature.
International calls. We weight providers that offer international calls higher than those that don't have this feature. This includes those that offer unlimited calls or credit/minutes for international purposes.
Wi-Fi calling. We weight providers that offer Wi-Fi calling higher than those that don't have this feature.
We then assign a weight to each of the factors in order to calculate a value score. Price and data are given the highest weighting.
Frequently asked questions
If you're on a budget then sticking to MVNOs will suit you better as they offer more affordably priced mobile plans.
For those in rural or regional areas where network coverage is a big concern, try Boost Mobile. It has access to the full Telstra 4G/5G network compared to other MVNOs that run on the wholesale network.
On the off chance you're still struggling, you may need to sign up to Telstra directly and see if it makes staying connected easier.
Yes, it does. Woolworths Mobile can access Telstra's wholesale 3G/4G network which reaches 98.8% of the Aussie population.
ALDImobile boasts well-priced plans for the whole household and has the added advantage of running on Telstra's wholesale 4G/5G network.
Here's the full list of providers on Finder that run on the Telstra network:
Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with over 11+ years of experience in print and digital media. Her main goal is to help households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their household bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine.
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