Finding the best Telstra network mobile plans
Our team of mobile plan experts have compared 157 mobile plans on the Telstra network from 22 mobile providers in Australia. We've curated 6 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.
Why you can trust our research
157 mobile plans on the Telstra network analysed
180+ hours of research
Best value Telstra network mobile plan
Tangerine 25GB 4G SIM
Calls & Text
data
per month
$14.50/mth for the first 4 months, then $29/mth + double data offer (50GB/mth for the first 3 months). Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 28.2.25
Pros & cons:
- Unlimited calls and texts to 15 selected countries including Bangladesh, China, India, Hong Kong, Greece, the UK and Thailand.
- You can bank up to 1000GB of data for future use.
- You have the option to sign up with an eSIM instead of waiting for a physical SIM to be delivered to your doorstep. The main requirement is that you need a compatible handset.
- 4G and 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps though this is still fast enough for most online activities.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $290
Why we chose it
To find the best value mobile plan on the Telstra network, we compared mobile plans on Finder that run on both the full and wholesale Telstra networks and cost $35 a month or less. 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
Belong 40GB
Calls & Text
data. Slowed down to 1Mbps after full speed data used up
per month
Pros & cons:
- You’re essentially paying $0.88 per GB which stacks up well against our $1 per GB benchmark.
- You can keep all your unused data for future use if you pay on time. You can also share the data with other Belong users.
- There are no excess charges. Your speeds will simply slow to 1Mbps until the next billing cycle kicks in.
- Option to add on international calls and roaming.
- 4G and 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps. However, this is still fast enough for most online activities.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $420
Why we chose it
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 100GB
Calls & Text
data. Slowed down to 1Mbps after full speed data used up
per month
Pros & cons:
- You're paying around $0.45 per GB, which holds up well against our $1 per GB benchmark.
- Unlimited data banking will allow you to keep all the unused data for future use if you pay on time. You can also share the data with other Belong users.
- There are no excess charges. Your speeds will simply slow to 1Mbps when you run out of data.
- Option to add on international calls and roaming packs.
- 4G and 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps but this is still fast enough for most online activities such as streaming and gaming.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $540
Why we chose it
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.
Best prepaid Telstra network mobile plan
More 32GB 5G
Calls & Text
data
per month
64GB/mth for the first 3 months, then 32GB/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.1.25
Pros & cons:
- You'll get 32GB bonus data on the first 3 recharges. This can be handy if you find your data needs have suddenly changed.
- You can bank up to 1000GB of data for future use.
- Easily sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset.
- Data allowance drops to 32GB from the fourth recharge.
- 4G and 5G download speeds at 150Mbps.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $432
Why we chose it
We compared prepaid plans on Finder that run on the full and wholesale Telstra network for $40 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.
Best 5G Telstra network mobile plan
Tangerine 32GB 5G SIM
Calls & Text
data
per month
$16.50/mth for the first 4 months, then $33/mth + double data offer (64GB/mth for the first 3 months). Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 28.2.25
Pros & cons:
- You can bank up to 1000GB of data for future use.
- Easily sign up via an eSIM if you have a compatible handset.
- 10% off mobile plan fees when you bundle with Tangerine's internet plan.
- 4G and 5G download speeds are capped at 150Mbps though this is still fast enough for most online activities.
Mobile network: Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $330
Why we chose it
We compared mobile plans on Finder that run on the full and wholesale 5G Telstra network for $40 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.
Best 12-month Telstra network mobile plan
Boost $300 SIM
Calls & Text
data
per 12 months
265GB on activation, then 240GB/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 10.3.25
Pros & cons:
- Access the full Telstra network rather than the wholesale one - Boost is the only prepaid provider outside of Telstra itself that offers this.
- International roaming packs available to add on for selected destinations.
- Download speeds are capped at 150Mbps on the 4G and 5G networks.
- Data will revert to 240GB on the next recharge.
Mobile network: Telstra 4G/5G network
Total cost over first 12 months: $300
Why we chose it
We compared 12-month and 365-day prepaid mobile plans on Finder that run on the full and wholesale Telstra network for $300 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 | Wholesale 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 | ✅ |
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.
"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."
Compare Telstra network mobile plans
Compare alternatives
We currently don't have a partnership for that product, but we have other similar offers to choose from (how we picked these ):
"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."
To help you find the right plan, here's a look at what the 10 most popular providers on the Telstra network have to offer.
Boost Mobile
Boost is the only small provider to offer access to the full Telstra 4G/5G network without the premium price tag.
- International calls included to selected countries
- Offers data banking until your next recharge
Belong
Belong Mobile is Australia's first carbon-neutral mobile provider and is actually owned by Telstra.
- No excess data charges on its plans – speeds will be capped at 1Mbps until your next recharge if you go over your monthly data allowance
- Option to add unlimited calls and texts to 30 countries for $5 a month
Woolworths Mobile
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