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What is an MVNO and how can they save you money?

Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are smaller providers that tap into Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone's networks to offer you the same mobile coverage, often at a lower cost.

Key takeaways

  • MVNO stands for mobile virtual network operator. It's a drier term for small providers that use the Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone network.
  • Signing up with an MVNO can be cheaper than getting a mobile plan from one of the 3 big telcos.
  • Plans from MVNOs might have fewer features and perks, but many still cover the key things you care about.

What is an MVNO?

An MVNO, or mobile virtual network operator, is a provider that offers mobile services without owning its own network.

Instead, they buy access to mobile networks from companies that do and then resell it to you.

In Australia, only three telcos — Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone — actually own their networks.

So, all the smaller providers, called MVNOs in short, use one of those networks.

MVNOs are independent, but some are owned by the big 3 telcos themselves.

According to the ACCC's communications market report, 11% of mobile services in Australia come from MVNOs. The remaining 89% belong to Telstra, Optus and Vodafone.

Why are MVNOs cheaper?

The main reason MVNOs can offer cheaper phone plans than the big 3 telcos is that they don't have to cover the costs of building and maintaining the mobile networks.

Plus, since MVNOs are smaller companies, they don't spend as much on advertising either.

The ACCC Communications Market Report from December 2024 found that the median advertised plan price for the big 3 mobile network operators was $58. For MVNOs, the average was $30.

MVNO network coverage vs the big telcos

MVNOs that use the Optus and Vodafone mobile networks have the same coverage as Optus and Vodafone themselves. There's no difference.

Optus's 4G network covers 98.5% of the population. Vodafone sits at 96%.

Things are slightly different with Telstra MVNOs. The majority of them have access to Telstra's wholesale 4G network, which covers 98.8% of the Australian population.

Telstra's full network covers 99.5% of Australians. Boost Mobile is the only Telstra MVNO to have access to it.

Going with Telstra's wholesale network is still a solid bet. You just might notice a difference in some rural or remote areas.

Can I get access to 5G with an MVNO?

Yes, you can. Maybe not with every MVNO, but plenty of them offer 5G access, just like they do with 4G from Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone.

The only catch is that 5G might not be available on all their plans.

Here's the full list of MVNOs in our database offering 5G mobile plans:

Pros and cons of signing up with an MVNO

Iffy about going with a small provider rather than a big name brand?

All we can say is, don't knock it till you try it.

With most mobile plans these days being contract-free, it's easy to test out different providers and networks to find a mobile plan that suits you best.

Here's a quick rundown of the pros and cons of signing up with an MVNO if you're not convinced:

Pros

  • Typically offer cheaper plans than the big 3 telcos, giving you access to the same networks at a lower price.
  • Most MVNOs provide flexible, month-to-month plans, so you're not tied down with long-term contracts.
  • Option to choose between prepaid and postpaid plans, although the difference between the two has massively decreased.
  • Plenty of small providers offer features that may be important to you, such as data banking, international call inclusions, and roaming packs.

Cons

  • MVNOs may skip on perks such as rewards points and entertainment extras.
  • Not all small providers are equal. If you're after more than just calls, texts, and data, you'll need to shop around for the best value.
  • Customer support options may be lacking depending on which MVNO you choose.
  • You can't get a phone on a plan from an MVNO.

So, you're saying it's worth switching to an MVNO?

Fortunately, there are enough MVNOs that are also well-established enough to give you a good value SIM-only plan.

These include the likes of amaysim, Belong, Boost Mobile, ALDImobile, and Woolworths Everyday Mobile.

You can check out our 2024 Mobile Customer Satisfaction Award winners to see how hundreds of Aussies have rated MVNOs.

Alternatively, we've given you some plan options from MVNOs across the 3 major networks.

Compare plans from Telstra MVNOs

1 - 4 of 159
Name Product AUFMP-SIM Ongoing data Ongoing price Apply Mobile
Belong 40GB
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
Belong 40GB
Postpaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 5G/4G network
40GB
No excess data charges
$35
per month ongoing
Go to site
View details
40GB
data ongoing
$35
per month ongoing
Boost $35 SIM
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
70GB for the first recharge, then 25GB/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 21.10.24
Boost $35 SIM
Prepaid
70GB for the first recharge, then 25GB/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 21.10.24
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Telstra 5G/4G network
25GB
$35
per 28 day recharge ongoing
Go to site
View details
70GB for the first recharge, then 25GB/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 21.10.24
25GB
data ongoing
$35
per 28 day recharge ongoing
ALDI $59 5G Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
ALDI $59 5G Plan
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 5G/4G network
175GB
$59
per 30 day recharge ongoing
View details
175GB
data ongoing
$59
per 30 day recharge ongoing
Telechoice Prepaid $389 365 Days
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
Telechoice Prepaid $389 365 Days
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 4G/3G network
360GB
$389
per 365 day recharge ongoing
View details
360GB
data ongoing
$389
per 365 day recharge ongoing
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Compare plans from Optus MVNOs

Name Product AUFMP-SIM Ongoing data Ongoing price Apply Mobile
amaysim 32GB Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
amaysim 32GB Plan
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 5G/4G network
32GB
$30
per 28 day recharge ongoing
View details
32GB
data ongoing
$30
per 28 day recharge ongoing
Catch Connect 90-day Expiry Finder Exclusive
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$20 for the first recharge, then $40/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 22.10.24
Catch Connect 90-day Expiry Finder Exclusive
Prepaid
$20 for the first recharge, then $40/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 22.10.24
Exclusive
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G/3G network
20GB
$40
per 90 day recharge ongoing
Go to site
View details
Exclusive
$20 for the first recharge, then $40/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 22.10.24
20GB
data ongoing
$40
per 90 day recharge ongoing
Southern Phone Finder Exclusive
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$24/mth for the first 6 months, then $29/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.10.24
Southern Phone Finder Exclusive
Postpaid
$24/mth for the first 6 months, then $29/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.10.24
Exclusive
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 5G/4G network
50GB
$29
per month ongoing
Go to site
View details
Exclusive
$24/mth for the first 6 months, then $29/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 31.10.24
50GB
data ongoing
$29
per month ongoing
Catch Connect 28 Day Plan 45GB
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$12 for the first recharge, then $30/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 22.10.24
Catch Connect 28 Day Plan 45GB
Prepaid
$12 for the first recharge, then $30/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 22.10.24
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G/3G network
45GB
$30
per 28 day recharge ongoing
Go to site
View details
$12 for the first recharge, then $30/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 22.10.24
45GB
data ongoing
$30
per 28 day recharge ongoing
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Compare plans from Vodafone MVNOs

Name Product AUFMP-SIM Ongoing data Ongoing price Apply Mobile
felix Subscription Unlimited
SubscriptionNo lock-in contract
$20/mth for the first 3 months, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
felix Subscription Unlimited
Subscription
$20/mth for the first 3 months, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
Finder Award
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 5G/4G network
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps
$40
per month ongoing
Go to site
View details
Finder Award
GREEN COMPANY
$20/mth for the first 3 months, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps
$40
per month ongoing
TPG Small
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$12.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $25/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
TPG Small
Prepaid
$12.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $25/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
Finder Award
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G network
25GB
$25
per month ongoing
Go to site
View details
Finder Award
$12.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $25/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
25GB
data ongoing
$25
per month ongoing
iiNet Medium Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$17.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $35/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
iiNet Medium Plan
Prepaid
$17.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $35/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 5G/4G network
50GB
$35
per month ongoing
Go to site
View details
$17.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $35/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
50GB
data ongoing
$35
per month ongoing
TPG Large
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$22.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $45/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
TPG Large
Prepaid
$22.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $45/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
Finder Award
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 5G/4G network
100GB
$45
per month ongoing
Go to site
View details
Finder Award
$22.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $45/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
100GB
data ongoing
$45
per month ongoing
loading

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Editor I Tech and utilities expert

Mariam Gabaji is an editor and tech and utilities expert at Finder with 12+ years of experience as a journalist. She's committed to helping households cut through the industry jargon and save money on their bills. Her expertise is often featured in media including the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, 7News, A Current Affair, The Guardian, SBS and Money Magazine. See full bio

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