iiNet mobile plans

One of the country's largest broadband providers, iiNet also offers a range of 4G mobile plans.

With 4G networks delivering speeds nearly on par with some fixed-line connections, it's no surprise that many Internet service providers have expanded their operations to include mobile services as well as traditional broadband. Broadband pioneer iiNet is one such provider, moving beyond its roots in ADSL broadband and offering post-paid SIM-only plans to Aussies around the country.

iiNet SIM-only plans

iiNet's SIM-only plans operate on Optus' 4G network, taking advantage of the network's 98.5% coverage of the Australian population. They also benefit from no lock-in, month-to-month contracts, meaning you can cancel your service at any time without having to pay out an early termination fee.

Four SIM-only plans are available through iiNet:

• Mobile Voice $19.99, which includes 2GB of data and $400 worth of standard national calls and texts
• Mobile Voice $29.99, which includes 2GB of data and unlimited standard national calls and texts
• Mobile Voice $39.99, which includes 7GB of data, unlimited standard national calls and texts and $300 worth of international calls
• Mobile Voice $49.99, which includes 9GB of data, unlimited standard national calls and texts and $300 worth of international calls

When first signing up to any of iiNet's SIM-only plans, you'll also need to purchase an iiNet SIM card. This one-off $10 charge will be automatically added to your first monthly bill, with subsequent bills returning to the normal monthly rate.

If you use up all your monthly data on one of iiNet's SIM-only plans, you'll be automatically charged $10 for every 1GB you go over your monthly limit. This charge is rounded up, so even if you only use 10MB over your cap, you'll be charged for the full 1GB. It's also worth noting that iiNet may restrict your service if you use more than 10GB over your plan's monthly inclusions.

How does iiNet compare?

iieNet's SIM-only plans cover a broad range of budgets, resulting in an equally-wide array of competing providers to weigh iiNet against.

At the $20 price point of its cheapest plan, iiNet doesn't quite keep pace with the competition. Where its $19.99 plan includes 2GB of data and $400 of calls, Moose Mobile and Yomojo both offer unlimited calls as well as 2GB of data for that same price or cheaper. All three providers also use Optus' network, so coverage is identical.

If you're OK with 28-day expiries, amaysim's plan offers even more data with a 2.5GB cap plus unlimited calls and texts.

Since iiNet's $29.99 plan simply upgrades the $400 call credit of the $19.99 plan to unlimited calls and texts, it's already at a steep disadvantage compared to the significantly cheaper plans in the table above. Meanwhile the $39.99 plan presents a slightly more compelling option with its 7GB of data and $300 worth of international calls, though even this is trumped by cheaper and more value-packed offerings from the likes of Moose Mobile and Spintel:

That deficit remains at the $50 price point, where iiNet's top-tier SIM-only plan goes up against amaysim's 20GB plan and Vaya's cheaper $44 13GB plan. International call value is higher on iiNet's plan, though if you intend to make a lot of calls overseas, Bendigo Bank Telco's Freedom 10GB plan comes with more data as well as the same $300 of international call credit:

Why should you consider iiNet?

Though iiNet's SIM-only plans aren't miles behind the competition, they still offer less value for your money than top providers like amaysim, Virgin Mobile and Spintel.

Still, if you're after a decent chunk of monthly data along with credit to call friends and family overseas, iiNet's $39.99 and $49.99 plans are at least worth considering. Few other SIM-only plans in that price range get you as much international call credit, and because all iiNet's plans are offered on no-lock-in, month-to-month contracts, you can take them for a spin without committing yourself to anything long-term.

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