Telsim's 28-day prepaid plans are fairly average in terms of value for money. They do offer a few handy features like data banking and international calls, which aren't always included on prepaid plans.
Its 365-day mobile plans are better value if you're after a huge chunk of data to last you up to a year.
Telsim's strongest suit is its easy accessibility, being available at most airports in Australia. This makes it well suited for incoming travellers in need of a quick phone connection.
Telsim also sells a number of refurbished Apple and Samsung handsets on its website. These handsets come with a 12 month warranty and are apparently extensively tested, although there are no details of these tests available.
Telsim could suit you if:
You want the option of data banking. Telsim's plans let you bank up to 500GB of unused data between months, so long as you recharge within 24 hours of expiry every time.
You make occasional overseas calls. Some of Telsim's plans come with unlimited talk and text to up to 15 selected countries, with the option of adding on credit for calling 30 more.
But keep in mind that Telsim:
Doesn't allow video MMS. You won't be able to send video MMS using your Telsim plan.
Could have long number porting times. There are many reports online that Telsim can take up to a couple of weeks to port your current number out or in. This won't affect you if you're taking a brand new number from Telsim upon activation.
Has no international roaming. If you want to access calls and data overseas, you'll have to buy a different plan.
The average value of Telsim's 28-day plans is $1.78 per 1GB, which doesn't compare too well against a benchmark of $1 per 1GB. Although some of its larger plans offer better value, falling below this $1 per GB benchmark.
If you're only looking to connect to Telsim over 28-days, it might still be okay, but those looking for long-term value could be better off elsewhere.
Telsim has 2 long expiry plans – $200 for 100GB lasting 180 days and $300 for 220GB lasting 365 days.
The 365-day plan compares well to other big data, but the 180-day plan is quite expensive for what it is.
Good to know: Long expiry plans mean you pay upfront to stay connected to the plan for 6 or 12 months. Make sure you're happy to commit long term or else you'll lose the money you paid for it upfront.
Things to watch out for:
Auto-recharge is enabled by default. You'll need to disable this manually if you don't want your plan to continue to roll over.
Coverage
Telsim uses parts of the Telstra 3G/4G and 5G network for mobile coverage.
This is the Telstra wholesale network, which reaches 98.8% of the population – this is more than both Vodafone (96%) and Optus (98.5%).
It's not the same as the full Telstra 4G network which reaches 99.5% of the population.
In metro areas you shouldn't experience many problems with reception, but you could have some loss of coverage in rural and regional areas.
Customer service
Telsim is available 7am-7pm AEST, Monday to Saturday, for queries and concerns. You can:
Ring the customer support team.
Send a message via the form on Telsim’s website.
Bonus features
Telsim has a couple of extra features you can access on its mobile plans.
🌏 International inclusions
Some 28-day plans come with unlimited international talk and text to selected countries. The $35 and $45 plans include 10 destinations, while the $55 and $60 plan includes 15. This could be handy perk for those looking to stay in contact with family and friends overseas.
📱 International call pack
If you'd only like a small amount of international credit, you can get 60 minutes of international calls to 30 countries for $5. These minutes expire when your plan renews.
🔄 Data bank
Any unused data at the end of the month will roll over into a data bank, up to a maximum of 500GB.
You'll lose this data bank if you downgrade your plan or fail to recharge within 24 hours of your plan expiring. Promotional data does not roll over.
Which rivals are giving Telsim a run for its money?
For international inclusions:
Lebara is all about connecting people to overseas friends and family with unlimited talk and text to up to 64 countries, depending on the plan you pick.
For better long expiry:
Coles Mobile has 2 excellent long expiry plans that last the entire year and even include unlimited talk and text to 15 countries.
For wider coverage:
Boost Mobile has good 28-day prepaid plans and is the only smaller provider to have access to the full Telstra 4G network.
Ready to sign up to Telsim mobile?
Once you've decided which Telsim Mobile plan you like, you'll simply have to fill out a few details. From there Telsim will take care of the rest. SIM delivery is free via standard postage, but can take up to 10 business days to arrive at your door. Alternatively, you can pick up a Telsim SIM card at local stores and in most airports around Australia.
What if I want to keep my current phone number? Telsim lets you keep your current number during the SIM activation process. It provides no expected timeframe for the porting process, which usually takes around 48 hours. However, there are a large number of reports online that porting with Telsim could take up to 7 or 14 days to complete.
Sam Baran is a writer for Finder, covering topics across the tech, telco and utilities sectors. They enjoy decrypting technical jargon and helping people compare complex products easily. When they aren't writing, you'll find Sam's head buried in a book or working on their latest short story. Sam has a Bachelor of Advanced Science from the University of Sydney.
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