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 160
Name Product AUFMP-SIM Data Price Apply Price
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
40GB
No excess data charges
$35
per month
Go to site
View details
Belong 40GB
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
40GB
Data
$35
per month
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Telstra 4G/5G network
50GB
$39
per 28 day recharge
Go to site
View details
Boost $39 SIM
50GB/recharge for the first 3 recharges, then 25GB/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 10.3.25
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50 GB
Data
$39
per 28 days expiry
ALDI $59 5G Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
ALDI $59 5G Plan
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 4G/5G network
175GB
$59
per 30 day recharge
View details
ALDI $59 5G Plan
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
175GB
Data
$59
per 30 days expiry
Telechoice Prepaid $389 365 Days
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
Telechoice Prepaid $389 365 Days
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 4G network
360GB
$389
per 365 day recharge
View details
Telechoice Prepaid $389 365 Days
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
360GB
Data
$389
per 365 days expiry
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Compare plans from Optus MVNOs

Name Product AUFMP-SIM Data Price Apply Price
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G/5G network
80GB
$19
per month
Go to site
View details
Southern Phone Finder Exclusive
Exclusive
*$19/mth for the first 6 months, then $34/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 15.4.25
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
80 GB
Data
$19
per month
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G/5G network
280GB
$320
per 365 day recharge
Go to site
View details
Optus Flex Plus $320 365 days
280GB for the first 3 recharges within 3 years of activation, then 200GB/recharge. T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
280 GB
Data
$320
per 365 days expiry
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G network
200GB
$139
per 365 day recharge
Go to site
View details
Catch Connect 365 Day Plan 200GB
$139 for the first recharge, then $200/recharge after. Use promo code FLASH10. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 25.2.25
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
200 GB
Data
$139
per 365 days expiry
Catch Connect 28 Day Plan 45GB
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
Catch Connect 28 Day Plan 45GB
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G network
45GB
$30
per 28 day recharge
View details
Catch Connect 28 Day Plan 45GB
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
45GB
Data
$30
per 28 days expiry
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Compare plans from Vodafone MVNOs

Name Product AUFMP-SIM Data Price Apply Price
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G/5G network
50GB
$17.50
per month
Go to site
View details
iiNet Medium Plan
$17.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $35/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
50 GB
Data
$17.50
per month
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G network
25GB
$12.50
per month
Go to site
View details
TPG Small
$12.50/mth for the first 6 months, then $25/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
25 GB
Data
$12.50
per month
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G/5G network
200GB
No excess data charges
$39
per month
Go to site
View details
Vodafone Student Small SIM-only Plan
$39/mth for the first 12 months, then $49/mth + bonus 150GB/mth when you stay on the plan. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
200 GB
Data
$39
per month
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 4G/5G network
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps
$20
per month
Go to site
View details
felix Subscription Unlimited
GREEN COMPANY
$20/mth for the first 3 months, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
Unlimited data
At speeds up to 20Mbps
$20
per month
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Mariam Gabaji's headshot
Written by

Utilities Editor & Tech Expert

Mariam Gabaji is a journalist with 13 years of experience, specialising in consumer topics like mobile services and energy costs. Her work appears in the ABC, Yahoo Finance, 9News, The Guardian, SBS, 7News, A Current Affair and Money Magazine. Mariam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and was a finalist for the 2024 IT Journalism Award for Best Telecommunications Journalist. See full bio

Mariam's expertise
Mariam has written 316 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Energy
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