CMobile offers budget-centric plans across both the Telstra and Vodafone networks.
What services does CMobile offer?
CMobile is one of only a handful of Mobile Virtual Network Operators to offer plans across multiple mobile networks. Specifically, its CMobile Red plans operate on Vodafone’s 4G network while its CMobile Blue plans run on parts of Telstra’s 3G and 4G networks. You can’t choose a plan and then switch between networks, so the Red plans are Vodafone network and the Blue ones are Telstra only, but it does give you the choice depending on your budget and likely coverage area.
All of CMobile’s plans are post-paid contract plans with a one month minimum, irrespective of the network you choose.
How much does CMobile cost?
CMobile’s pricing and inclusions vary depending on whether you opt for the Red (Vodafone) or Blue (Telstra) SIM-only packages.
On the Red plan side of the fence, the lowest cost plan is CMobile’s Red PAYG plan. As with all Pay As You Go plans there’s no "included" value with this plan. Instead, you deposit a set $50 amount into the PAYG plan account and use that value for calls, texts and data. Standard national calls are charged on this plan at 10c/minute, while SMS are charged at 10c each. Data is priced at 2c/MB. If you don’t use your $50 of credit within the one year expiry period it expires, but as a post-paid plan, if you exceed your usage, you’re charged for each call, text and MB used.
The other post-paid Red plans are priced at $9.90, $16.90, $24.90, $34.90, $44.90, $59.90 and $69.90 respectively. The $9.90 and $16.90 plans come with 100 and 300 minutes of calls or texts (but not both), after which calls are charged at 15c/minute and texts cost 15 each. All higher tier plans than that come with unlimited standard national calls and texts. Data inclusions range from 250MB on the $9.90 plan up to 10GB on the $69.90 plan. Excess data is charged at 5c per MB, charged in 10Kb increments.
On the Blue (Telstra) side of the plan fence, there’s no PAYG option, with plan pricing at $14.90, $19.90, $29.90, $39.90, $49.90 and $59.90 respectively. There’s no unlimited calls or text options on any of the CMobile Blue plans, all of which come with a set value quantity against which you make calls, texts and use data. Calls are charged at 15c/minute for calls and 15c each for texts. Data inclusions range from 500MB up to 10GB per month, with data charged at 5c per MB, billed in 10Kb units.
What extras does CMobile offer?
As a MVNO with SIM-only options, additional features aren’t a key part of the CMobile strategy to speak of. If you opt for CMobile Red plans, all calls to other CMobile Red users are unlimited even at the tiers where other mobile calls would usually be charged.
What excess charges could I face on these plans?
Outside of your call inclusions, which vary depending on both the pricing tier of your plan and whether it's one of CMobile's Red or Blue plans, specific call types do attract additional charges, including premium SMS and mobile calls and directory assistance calls.
For excess data usage, the price you'll pay depends on whether you're on the Blue or Red tier of CMobile's plans. For CMobile Blue customers, data is automatically topped up onto your account in 1GB quantities, charged at $12 per time. If you're on a CMobile Red plan, data is charged in 10KB blocks at 5c per MB, which equates out to a rather costly $50/GB.
Calls to international numbers from CMobile plans do attract additional charges, with slightly different prices depending on whether you're a Blue (Telstra network) or Red (Vodafone network) customer. The pricing for Blue customers making international calls can be found here, while the pricing for Red customers can be found here.
By default, customers on either Red or Blue CMobile plans are barred from roaming internationally, although you can opt to have this block removed by contacting CMobile on 1300 545 000. CMobile does note that international roaming is very expensive, however.
Pros
- Network choice. Not too many MVNOs offer the choice of networks to connect to.
- No long term commitment. Outside the 12-month PAYG Red plan, all of CMobile’s other plans operate on a month by month basis.
Cons
- Blue plans compare badly. With low data quotas and no unlimited calls/texts packages, it’s hard to make a compelling case for CMobile’s Blue plans.
