If you are planning to travel to Australia in 2024, you might be wondering which SIM network is the best for your phone. There are many factors to consider when choosing a SIM card, such as the coverage, the speed, the price, and the data allowance. In this blog post, we will compare the four main SIM networks in Australia: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, and felix. We will also review some of the best SIM-only plans and e-SIM cards that you can get from these networks or their resellers. By the end of this blog post, you will have a clear idea of which SIM network is the best for your needs and budget. You will also learn how to buy and activate a SIM card in Australia, and how to avoid roaming charges and hidden fees. So, let’s get started.
Telstra is the largest and most popular SIM network in Australia, with the widest coverage and the fastest speeds. Telstra offers 4G and 5G services to over 99% of the Australian population, and has won several awards for its network performance and customer satisfaction. Telstra also has a range of SIM-only plans and e-SIM cards that suit different types of users, from casual to heavy data users. Telstra’s SIM-only plans start from $55 per month for 40GB of data, and go up to $115 per month for unlimited data. Telstra’s e-SIM cards start from $10 per month for 2GB of data, and go up to $65 per month for 150GB of data. Telstra also offers prepaid SIM cards that start from $30 for 28 days, with various data and call options. You can buy Telstra SIM cards and e-SIM cards online, in Telstra stores, or in other retailers such as supermarkets and convenience stores.
Optus is the second-largest SIM network in Australia, with a strong 4G and 5G coverage and competitive prices. Optus covers over 98% of the Australian population with its 4G network, and over 90% with its 5G network. Optus also has a variety of SIM-only plans and e-SIM cards that cater to different needs and budgets. Optus’s SIM-only plans start from $39 per month for 10GB of data, and go up to $79 per month for unlimited data. Optus’s e-SIM cards start from $15 per month for 5GB of data, and go up to $55 per month for 120GB of data. Optus also offers prepaid SIM cards that start from $10 for 5 days, with various data and call options. You can buy Optus SIM cards and e-SIM cards online, in Optus stores, or in other retailers such as supermarkets and convenience stores.
Vodafone is the third-largest SIM network in Australia, with a reliable 4G and 5G coverage and affordable prices. Vodafone covers over 96% of the Australian population with its 4G network, and over 85% with its 5G network. Vodafone also has a range of SIM-only plans and e-SIM cards that suit different preferences and lifestyles. Vodafone’s SIM-only plans start from $40 per month for 50GB of data, and go up to $65 per month for unlimited data. Vodafone’s e-SIM cards start from $10 per month for 3GB of data, and go up to $60 per month for 150GB of data. Vodafone also offers prepaid SIM cards that start from $10 for 7 days, with various data and call options. You can buy Vodafone SIM cards and e-SIM cards online, in Vodafone stores, or in other retailers such as supermarkets and convenience stores.
felix is a new SIM network in Australia, launched in 2020 as a subsidiary of TPG Telecom. felix is a fully digital and eco-friendly SIM network, that operates on the Vodafone 4G and 5G network. felix offers only one SIM-only plan and one e-SIM card, both with unlimited data, calls, and texts for $35 per month. felix also plants one tree for every month of service, and uses 100% renewable energy to power its operations. felix is ideal for users who want a simple, sustainable, and hassle-free SIM network. You can buy felix SIM cards and e-SIM cards online, and activate them through the felix app.
So, which SIM network is the best for you? That depends on your personal preferences, usage patterns, and travel plans. If you want the best coverage and speed, Telstra is the way to go. If you want the best value and flexibility, Optus is a good choice.
If you want the best price and simplicity, Vodafone is a great option. If you want the best sustainability and convenience, felix is a smart choice. No matter which SIM network you choose, you can enjoy the benefits of staying connected in Australia with a local SIM card or e-SIM card. For more information and tips on buying and using a SIM card in Australia, read the full blog post below.
You will find the complete list of SIM networks, SIM-only plans, e-SIM cards, prepaid SIM cards, and international SIM cards for Australia, along with their features and prices. You will also find the best places to buy and activate a SIM card in Australia, and how to avoid roaming charges and hidden fees. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your phone and choose the best SIM network for you now. Enjoy your trip to Australia with a reliable and affordable SIM card or e-SIM card.
Read Also: Best SIM Card in Canada for International Students 2023
How to Choose the Best SIM Network in Australia
Coverage
One of the most crucial considerations when selecting a sim network in Australia is coverage. Anywhere you go you should be able to receive a strong signal especially if you intend to travel to isolated or rural places.
Telstra has 99.5% of the population in Australia covered according to WhistleOut1. Vodafone ranks in second with 96% followed by Optus with 98.5%. However, these figures may change based on the region and network type (3G 4G or 5G).
You probably won’t notice much differences between the three network providers if you just visit in major cities. However, it makes sense to use Telstra or one of its MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) such as Boost Mobile Belong ALDI Mobile or Woolworths Mobile if you plan on visiting distant remote parts of Australia. These are smaller companies that use Telstra’s network and give more flexibility and more affordable options.
The whole Telstra network including 5G is only accessible to one Telstra MVNO Boost Mobile. The Telstra wholesale network which has a significantly smaller footprint than Telstra’s complete network is used by the other Telstra MVNOs. However, they continue to provide more coverage than MVNOs like Optus and Vodafone.
The MVNOs for Optus and Vodafone have access to the same network as their parent firms however 5G coverage might not be a part of their plans. Amaysim TPG Moose Mobile Felix and other MVNOs are examples of Optus’s offerings. Kogan Mobile Lebara Mobile and iiNet are some instances of Vodafone MVNOs.
Using WhistleOut’s interactive tool you can examine the coverage maps for each network provider. Simply enter your location to choose between the networks and coverage options.
Data
When selecting a sim network in Australia data is yet another crucial aspect to take into account. Make sure you have adequate data on your phone to use it for internet activities like browsing streaming social media and navigation.
How frequently and extensively you use your phone will determine how much data you require. You will need more data than someone who only uses their phone for the most basic functions like reading emails or messaging if you are a heavy user who enjoys watching movies listening to music or playing games on it.
The good news is that there are many plans that offer generous amounts of data at reasonable prices. You can find plans that offer anywhere from 1GB to unlimited data per month. However, some plans may have speed caps or fair use policies that limit your data usage after a certain threshold.
For example, Felix is an Optus MVNO that offers an unlimited data plan for $35 per month. However, this plan has a speed cap of 20Mbps for both downloads and uploads. This means that you may experience slower speeds or buffering when watching high-definition videos or downloading large files.
Another example is Vodafone’s Infinite Data plans which offer unlimited data at different speeds depending on the price. The cheapest plan costs $40 per month and offers unlimited data at 2Mbps. The most expensive plan costs $120 per month and offers unlimited data at uncapped speeds (up to 5G where available).
If you don’t need unlimited data or prefer faster speeds without restrictions you can opt for plans that offer a fixed amount of data per month. These plans usually range from $10 to $50 per month and offer anywhere from 1GB to 100GB of data.
Some plans also offer bonus data or rollover data features that allow you to get more value for your money. For example, TPG is an Optus MVNO that offers a Large plan with 80GB of data for $25 per month2. This plan also includes 40GB of bonus data every month for six months. This means that you can get up to 120GB of data per month for the first six months.
Another example is Southern Phone a Telstra MVNO that offers a Medium plan with 18GB of data for $20 per month4. This plan also includes rollover data which means that any unused data from your previous month will be added to your next month’s allowance. This way you can save your data for when you need it most.
You can compare the data offerings of different plans using Finder’s comparison. Just enter your desired amount of data and filter by network price and other features.
Price
Price is another important aspect of choosing a sim network in Australia. You want to make sure that you get the best deal for your needs and budget.
The price of a SIM card in Australia will depend on several factors such as the network the data the contract length and the extras. Generally speaking, the more data you want the more you will pay. However, there are also some ways to save money and get discounts on your SIM card.
One way to save money is to go for a prepaid SIM card instead of a postpaid SIM card. A prepaid SIM card allows you to pay upfront for a set amount of data and calls for a certain period of time usually 28 or 30 days. A postpaid sim card allows you to pay at the end of each month for the data and calls you have used usually with a minimum contract length of 12 or 24 months.
A prepaid sim card has several advantages over a postpaid sim card. First it gives you more flexibility and control over your spending. You can choose how much you want to spend each month and change your plan or provider anytime without penalties. Second it does not require a credit check or a deposit. This means that you can get a prepaid sim card easily without any hassle or risk. Third, it often offers better value and deals than a postpaid sim card. You can find prepaid plans that offer more data or features for less money than postpaid plans.
For example, Optus Flex is a prepaid service that allows you to customize your plan according to your needs. You can choose how many data calls and texts you want for each day week or month. You can also change your plan anytime using the Optus app. The cheapest option is $7 for 7 days with 7GB of data.
Another example is Amaysim an Optus MVNO that offers prepaid plans with unlimited calls and texts and various amounts of data5. The cheapest option is $10 for 28 days with 1GB of data. The most expensive option is $40 for 28 days with 60GB of data.
You can compare the prices of different prepaid plans using WhistleOut’s comparison tool. Just enter your desired amount of data and filter by network price and other features.
Another way to save money is to look for special offers or discounts from different providers. Many providers offer promotions or incentives to attract new customers or retain existing ones. These may include bonus data free trials cashback gift cards or rewards points.
For example, Kogan Mobile is a Vodafone MVNO that offers prepaid plans with unlimited calls and texts and various amounts of data3. The cheapest option is $4.90 for 30 days with 2GB of data. The most expensive option is $69.90 for 365 days with 20GB of data per month. However Kogan Mobile often runs promotions that offer discounts on its plans or freebies such as Kogan credit or vouchers.
Another example is Boost Mobile a Telstra MVNO that offers prepaid plans with unlimited calls and texts and various amounts of data1. The cheapest option is $10 for 7 days with 3GB of data. The most expensive option is $300 for 365 days with 240GB of data (20GB per month). However Boost Mobile also offers perks such as free Apple Music streaming (data charges apply) free international calls to selected countries and access to Telstra Air Wi-Fi hotspots.
You can find the latest offers and discounts from different providers using Finder deals. Just browse by category or provider and see what’s available.
Flexibility
Flexibility is another factor to consider when choosing a sim network in Australia. You want to make sure that you have the freedom and convenience to use your phone as you wish.
Flexibility can mean different things to different people. For some, it may mean being able to change their plan or provider anytime without penalties or fees. For others, it may mean being able to use their phone overseas without extra charges or hassle.
As mentioned earlier prepaid plans are generally more flexible than postpaid plans in terms of changing your plan or provider anytime without penalties or fees. However, some postpaid plans may also offer flexibility in terms of allowing you to upgrade or downgrade your plan anytime without fees.
Which SIM is best in Australia?
The best SIM card in Australia depends on your needs and preferences, such as coverage, data, price, and international calls. Some of the possible options are:
1- Telstra or its MVNOs for the best coverage especially in rural and remote areas but at a higher cost.
2- Vodafone or its MVNOs for the best data value with competitive network and deals but lower coverage than Telstra.
3- Optus or its MVNOs for the best international calls and texts with strong network and unlimited calls to selected countries but higher price than Vodafone.