Pros
- No excess data charges on postpaid plans
- 5G network is increasingly available across Australia
- Free access to Optus Sport for football enthusiasts on postpaid
Cons
- Plan prices are slightly higher than average
Optus mobile plans
Our verdict: Optus has excellent coverage and some of the fastest 5G mobile speeds in the country. However, its plans are priced at a premium, which might not suit all budgets.
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Optus mobile review: Our verdict
Optus is Australia's second-largest network, covering 98.5% of the Australian population (Telstra covers 99.5% and Vodafone covers 96%). Optus may not have Telstra's extensive coverage, but it should be more than enough for most people.
While Optus doesn't offer the cheapest entry-level plans, it does have options that come with generous data inclusions and the ability to pay off new phones over 12, 24 and 36 months on postpaid plans.
Plus, its range of perks, including access to its 5G network and Optus Sport (on postpaid), might justify the premium price for some.
Optus may be the right choice for you in the following situations:
- You want extra perks like free subscriptions to Optus Sport and OS Fitness
- You prefer generous data limits up to 500GB a month, with no excess-data charges on postpaid plans
- You plan to use international roaming for the occasional short overseas trip
- You want the security of being with a first-party, established network
- You are interested in connecting to a 5G network
However, it's worth keeping a couple of things in mind:
- Optus shares its 3G/4G network with a large number of MVNOs, meaning you can get the same coverage for cheaper
- Access to its 5G network will vary depending on your location
Read a more detailed review on
Value for money
Optus's prepaid plans come in 2 types: Flex and Epic plans.
Optus Flex plans are pretty simple: $1 a day for 4G or $2 a day for 5G, billed daily, weekly, monthly, bi-annually or annually so you can control how and when you use it. Prepaid Flex includes 1GB a day (which can roll over up to 200GBs) and unlimited calls and texts.
These Flex plans are ok since they hit the benchmark of $1 per GB, but aren't anything too special.
If you need more data, Optus's Epic plans come as 28- or 365-day recharges.
Its longer expiry 365-day plans offer about 10-25GB a month and are great value if you're willing to commit to the plan for a full year.
- Good to know: The ACCC says the average person actually uses less than 15GB of data a month so Optus's 365-day plans could be within your sweet spot. Plus, if you have the cash up front, that's a huge saving over time compared to getting one of its regular 28-day prepaid plans.
Optus's Choice Plus plans start with 20GB of data for $45, which is steep given that's $11 higher than the average price of 40GB plans on Finder ($34).
Things get more reasonable with Optus's 80GB for $55 plans and higher, with data getting cheaper the more you're willing to spend on your plan.
- Keep in mind: Optus's postpaid plans are often a few dollars more expensive than other similar plans and offer more data than most people actually need in a month.
If you want the latest phone from Apple, Samsung or Google, but aren't able to pay for it outright, Optus will allow you to buy it and pay it off over a 12-, 24- or 36-month repayment period.
- Keep in mind: Phone contracts end up being more expensive in the long run compared to buying outright, but pre-order offers and other sales throughout the year might get you a good deal so watch out for those.
Coverage
Optus has the second-largest network in Australia, narrowly behind Telstra and covering a decent amount more than Vodafone.
- Its 3G and 4G network covers 98.5% of the Australian population (compared to Telstra's 99.5% and Vodafone's 96%)
- Optus's outdoor 5G mobile coverage is available in selected metro areas, mostly on the east coast, with more areas coming soon
- 4G coverage is available in metropolitan, regional and most rural areas. Those in more remote areas should check Optus's coverage maps to ensure they're within its scope.
Customer service
You can reach Optus's support team all week through various points of contact.
- Phone support is available 8am-8pm 7 days a week
- Live messaging in the app is available 24/7
- You can also go into an Optus store any day of the week to ask questions and get assistance
Bonus features
With Optus being one of the big 3 telcos in Australia, its customers get access to a whole slew of perks:
⚽️ Optus Sport
Optus Sport is the exclusive broadcaster for the English Premier League in Australia. Access is free for Optus customers on all postpaid plans.
Non-Optus customers can watch for $15 a month.
👨👩👧👧 Data sharing
You can share data between Optus plans under the same account. This can be handy for families looking to bundle all their plans under one account.
🏋️ OS Fitness
Optus Sport Fitness is also included with all Optus postpaid plans and includes a variety of video workouts you can follow along with from home.
🔄 Data rollover
With Optus, you can roll over up to 200GB on most prepaid plans.
🌏 International roaming
For $10 a day, in "Zone 1 countries", you get unlimited calls as well as 1GB to use per day, with any remaining data rolled over to the following day.
However, if you go over the 1GB, or the 24 hours, another $10 roaming pass will be added to your account.
Which rivals are giving Optus a run for its money?
Optus has some serious rivals, especially considering it shares its network with so many smaller providers.
For more coverage
Telstra is Australia's largest network with the best coverage. Just remember that you'll pay more for that improved service (Telstra's $55 plan has half the data inclusion of Optus).
For cheaper on the Optus network:
Aussie Broadband has long been a beloved NBN provider, but now it also offers mobile plans that work on the full Optus network, including 5G, for less.
For cheap and big data:
Circles.Life has mobile plans at ridiculously low prices on the Optus 4G network. Plans start at $10 and its $55 plan includes a whopping 160GB of data, which is double Optus's offering.
Ready to sign up to Optus?
If you're after a prepaid or postpaid plan, just click the "Go to site" button in our comparison tables, which will take you straight to Optus where you can purchase the plan directly.
Can I keep my current phone number?
Absolutely. If your number is in your name, just notify Optus you want to transfer it when you sign up. All you have to do is fill out a form.
If your number isn't currently in your name (perhaps under that of a parent or partner), then let Optus know and they'll give you an extra form for you and the owner to fill out.
You can also check out our guide on how to transfer ownership of your mobile number for more information.
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