Think Mobile is an affordable mobile network that emphasises its local customer service and cheaper prices.
What services does Think Mobile offer?
Think Mobile has a number of plans that offer services on the Vodafone 3G network around the country, reaching 96% of the Australian population. But the telco also has "Classic" plans, which operate on parts of the Telstra 3G network, which extends to 98.5% of the Australian population.
The difference in networks is clearly delineated in the plan lineup – Swift plans use Vodafone and Classic plans use Telstra – but the combination could cause some confusion for customers.
How much does Think Mobile cost?
Think Mobile's Swift plans try and balance low cost with inclusions. Prices start at $12 per month and range up to $42.95 a month for a SIM-only plan, with the top tier including unlimited talk and text and 5GB of data. Inclusions vary significantly across the plans, so it's worth comparing the plans using the above table.
For the Think Mobile Classic plans running on parts of the Telstra 3G network, prices are slightly more expensive. Starting at $24 per month and ranging up to $40 per month, it's important to note that no Classic Plan tier manages to crack the unlimited talk and text barrier.
What extras does Think Mobile offer?
Think Mobile puts a lot of emphasis on the speed and reliability of its customer service, as well as its affordability, so there isn't a lot in the way of extras on offer for Think Mobile customers.
What excess charges could I face on these plans?
- Excess call costs
- Excess data costs
- International call costs
- Early contract cancellation fees
Think Mobile's Classic Plans all operate with fixed value call and text inclusions, which vary depending on your pricing tier. For those plans once that value is exhausted, you'll be charged 99c per minute with a 40c flagfall for each call, and 30c per SMS message.
Think Mobile's Swift plans all include unlimited standard national calls and texts, although there are premium services that don't fit within the definition of a "standard" call or text. For those services you may incur additional charges as set by each service provider over and above your monthly cap.
For excess data usage, on Think Mobile's Swift plans you'll pay 2.5c per MB, while on the classic plans, you'll pay 10c per excess MB of usage. That's quite a bit higher than the industry norm of adding a 1GB/$10 block to your plan if you go over quota.
Think Mobile has relatively complex international calling rates for different plans. If you're on a Think Mobile Ultimate Plan, the pricing sheet is here. Customers on Simple 12 plans will find pricing here. Those on Super plans will find pricing here and finally those on Classic Plans will find international call pricing here.
All of Think Mobile's plans are offered on a month-to-month basis, so if you opt to cancel your service, all you'll be on the hook for is any outstanding charges on your service.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Choice in networks. Think Mobile offers services using both Telstra and Vodafone's infrastructure, giving its customers choice.
- Local customer service. Think Mobile's customer service team is based on the Gold Coast and take pride in a rapid response time..
- No lock in contract. Plans are all SIM-only, month to month offerings without lock in contracts, so you have the flexibility to switch providers whenever you want.
Cons
- No 4G connectivity. Regardless of whether you select to use Vodafone or Telstra's infrastructure, you're limited to 3G data speeds.
- No unlimited call value on Classic plans. The top tier of Think Mobile's classic plans still doesn't include unlimited talk and text.
