Don't want to pay the big bucks? Stick around to compare the best mobile plans on the Telstra network from providers that offer a more affordable price.
Telstra mobile providers: Compare plans on the Telstra Network
In this guide to the best Telstra network providers:
Our relationships with telcos
We have commercial agreements with some providers in our database. When you click a 'Go to Site' button, we receive a small payment from that brand – this is how we can afford to keep comparing internet and mobile plans. But we still compare and highlight plans we receive no payments for because we believe this helps you find one that best suits your needs.
If you're looking for cheap mobile plans on the Telstra network, you should consider a Telstra MVNO.
These Telstra network providers purchase network access from Telstra, then resell it for cheap. They typically keep prices down by having fewer overheads like marketing, large staff counts, brick-and-mortar stores, etc. That said, Telstra MVNO coverage usually isn't exactly the same Telstra's itself, which we'll cover in more detail further on.
But first, we'll go over our pick for the best Telstra MVNO, then look at the cheapest Telstra network mobile plans in our database, based on introductory price and long-term costs.
Who uses the Telstra network?
Best Telstra network provider
- Cheap plans with good data for a Telstra MVNO
- Unlimited calls to 15 countries (most plans)
- 500 to 1000GB data bank
- Access to Telstra Wholesale 5G network (most plans)
- No lock-in contracts or early exit fees
- Postpaid only
- Access to Telstra's wholesale network only
- 5G limited to 150Mbps on most plans (common for a Telstra MVNO, but not Telstra's own postpaid plans)
Anybody looking for a cheap mobile plan from a provider who uses the Telstra network should definitely consider Tangerine's budget-friendly options.
Generally speaking, Tangerine's cheapest plans tend to sit at the lower end of the Telstra MVNO market. They also come with no lock-in contract – so, if you do find you're operating in some sort of Bermuda Triangle of bad coverage, you can go elsewhere without paying exit fees.
Tangerine's plans also include a rare perk: unlimited calls to 15 countries on all but its cheapest plan. Plus, any data you don't use can be rolled over up to a 500GB or 1000GB limit, depending on the plan.
How does Telstra compare to this provider?
Telstra
- Telstra no longer charges you for excess data
- Telstra customers get access to the Telstra rewards program
- Other than Everyday Mobile, Telstra is the only provider that uses the Telstra network that will sell you a new phone a plan.
- Telstra has more coverage than most of its MVNOs.
- Telstra generally charges more than its competition
Tangerine
- MVNOs like this one are typically heaps cheaper than Telstra
- 5G is sometimes only available on more-expensive plans
- You won't get the fastest 5G speeds
- MVNOs like the one above typically won't sell you a new phone on a plan
- You're getting slightly less coverage than you would with Telstra
Best Telstra network provider: Cheapest intro price
✓ How we chose these Telstra network plans
The widget above offers a snapshot of no-contract postpaid mobile plans that use the Telstra network and unlimited calls and texts and any amount of data, sorted by price. These results are pulled from by our database of over 30 mobile providers.
If you're looking for cheap plans from Telstra network providers, you have plenty of options. Above are the cheapest Telstra network mobile plans in our database, limited to one per provider. This table can include plans with introductory discounts, which generally run for the first six months, after which the monthly fee increases.
Almost all SIM-only plans have no contracts or exit fees, so you can save a decent amount by jumping between providers to snap up those deals. But this type of deal is rarer for Telstra providers than it is for the rest of the market, so it's not as sure a thing as it might be with a Vodafone or Optus MVNO.
Telstra MVNO plans generally start at around 12GB for $23 per month. You can click the "View Full Results" link to see a wider range of plans.
Best Telstra network providers: Cheapest long-term
✓ How we chose these Telstra provider plans
The widget above offers a snapshot of no-contract postpaid mobile plans that use the Telstra network and unlimited calls and texts and any amount of data, sorted by 24-month pricing. These results are pulled from by our database of over 30 mobile providers.
If you don't want to worry about introductory offers, we've also compared plans based on the total cost over the first 24 months in the table above – once again limited to one result per Telstra MVNO. This means you can essentially set and forget your mobile service, but still be confident you're with a cheap Telstra network plan.
That said, given Telstra providers tend to steer clear of the intro discount trend, so there aren't usually as many options when compared to the rest of the market.
Over the course of a two year period, the cheapest Telstra MVNO plans will cost you around $550. You can click the "View Full Results" link to see a wider range of plans.
Best Telstra network providers: Big data
✓ How we chose these Telstra network plans
The widget above offers a snapshot of no-contract postpaid mobile plans that use the Telstra network and unlimited calls and texts and at least 20GB of data, sorted by price. These results are pulled from by our database of over 30 mobile providers.
If you need more data than is included with the cheapest plans from Telstra network providers, the above table includes plans with at least 20GB of data – limited to one result per provider. Results can vary quite a bit in this range, so weigh your options up before making a decision.
If you'd like a bit more plan info, such as 5G inclusions, or to view additional plans, click the "View Full Fesults" link at the bottom of the list.

Best Telstra Network providers: 5G speeds
✓ How we chose these Telstra network plans
The widget above offers a snapshot of no-contract SIM only mobile plans that use the Telstra 5G network and unlimited calls and texts and at least 20GB of data, sorted by price. These results are pulled from by our database of over 30 mobile providers.
The cheapest Telstra network mobile plan from each provider tends to be limited to 4G, which might not be what you're looking for. These days, most smartphones comes with 5G as standard but you'll need a mobile provider that offers 5G service to get the most out of that connectivity.
Above, we've compared plans with 5G – though keep in mind most Telstra providers cap the speeds at 150Mbps for all but their most-expensive plans. The main exception is postpaid plans from Telstra itself, which have no speed limit.
Even with a speed limit though, 5G does still offer a number of important advantages over 4G. For instance, the coverage may be more robust which means you're less likely to suffer from network congestion.

Telstra network providers and coverage
Almost all Telstra providers operate over the Telstra "Wholesale" network. This gives them almost identical 4G coverage, but national 5G coverage is more limited.
There are only two mobile providers with access to the full Telstra network: Telstra itself and Boost Mobile, which was recently bought by Telstra.
The full Telstra 4G network covers 99.7% of the Australian population, while the Telstra Wholesale 4G network is only slightly behind at 98.8%. This is less than a 1% difference, meaning the Telstra Wholesale network still has the second largest mobile coverage in Australia, just ahead of Optus. That said, it's worth remembering that Telstra's coverage claims are based on the use of external antenna and range extenders. As a result, the coverage map for those looking to stay connected with a mobile device may be slightly smaller.
For 5G, there's a much bigger disparity between the full and Wholesale networks. The full Telstra network covers 91% of the population with 5G, whereas the Telstra Wholesale network covers only 75%. Again, these figures rely on the use of external antenna. Even so, there's a clear gap between this and Optus' 80.5% population 5G coverage. Vodafone doesn't publish clear 5G stats, so it's tough to tell how its 5G compares.
Australian Mobile Network Coverage
Boost Mobile is the only Telstra MVNO with access to the full Telstra network. Numbers represent the percentage of Australian population coverage.
Compare Telstra network providers

How we choose the best Telstra network plans and providers
When we work to find the best MVNO providers on the Telstra network, we take into consideration all of the things that really matter to an avid mobile user. Stuff like coverage, data-for-dollar-value, and all those shiny extra plan benefits designed to lure you in. Some of these perks include data rollover or banking, no-contract plans, 5G connectivity (usually speed limited), and international calls.
Price is a key factor, we want to make sure we're displaying plans that offer value for money. However, it's not the only thing we consider. We also look at what the capped speed will be, as well as how much data is included at the max speed. There's no use having an unlimited data allowance if it's too slow to stream video content or play games with low-latency and it never hurts to understand the fine print before you sign up.
Last but not least, we take a look at other inclusions like international calls, eSIM support and perks like data-banking. If you're in the market for a mobile plan with Telstra coverage in Australia, these aren't likely to be your primary consideration. However, small differences can add up quickly.
FAQs about Telstra network providers and their plans
If you've walked into a JB Hi-Fi recently you might have seen the retailer now sells mobile plans. These plans are the product of a partnership between JB Hi-Fi and Telstra and offer access to the full Telstra network rather than the wholesale one used by every Telstra MVNO bar Boost Mobile.
On paper, that details (along with the promise of a free JB Hi-Fi gift card) may make these plans a compelling alternative to the Telstra plans on this page for some Aussies. However, there are a few catches here. For one, the plans themselves include a lock-in contract. Once you sign up, you can't change providers if you're unhappy with the service or find a better deal without incurring a financial penalty.
As per the critical information summary, "If you cancel or move to a lower cost plan then you'll need to pay a Voucher Repayment Fee pro-rated against the remaining months of your plan’s minimum term."
Like JB Hi-Fi, The Good Guys now sells co-branded mobile plans powered by the Telstra network. These include access to the full Telstra network rather than the wholesale one used by every Telstra MVNO except for Boost Mobile.
ALDI Mobile, Belong, Boost Mobile, Everyday Mobile (Woolworths), Mate, More, Numobile, Superloop, and Tangerine all have 5G plans on the Telstra network. Of these, only Boost Mobile operates over the full Telstra network, which has 89% population coverage for 5G. The rest operate over the Telstra Wholesale network, which has 75% coverage.
Also keep in mind, Telstra MVNOs limit their 5G speeds. Usually, the cheaper 5G plans are capped at 150Mbps, while some more-expensive plans are capped at 250Mbps.
When talking about cheap Telstra network plans, an MVNO is probably your best option. Their plans are much cheaper than Telstra's, and there's a wider range of data allowances to choose from.
4G coverage is almost identical between the full Telstra network and the Wholesale network over which almost all Telstra MVNOs operate – not even differing by 1% population coverage. But 5G coverage is very different, with the full Telstra network offering a much larger footprint.
All that said, you can still get full Telstra network coverage via Boost Mobile, which has cheaper SIM-only plans than Big T. Its plans have fewer frills and there are no brick-and-mortar stores, but your connection experience should be the same with either provider.
ALDI Mobile is powered by the Telstra Wholesale network, which means it reaches 98.8% of the population with 4G and 75% with 5G. This is in contrast to the full Telstra network, which covers 99.7% and 89% of the population, respectively.
No. TPG is part of the TPG Telecom group, which also owns Vodafone in Australia. As such, TPG and its subsidiaries operate over the Vodafone mobile network.
Tangerine is powered by the Telstra Wholesale network, which means it reaches 98.8% of the population with 4G and 75% with 5G. This is in contrast to the full Telstra network, which covers 99.7% and 89% of the population, respectively.
Despite being owned by Telstra, Belong is powered by the Telstra Wholesale network, which means it reaches 98.8% of the population with 4G and 75% with 5G. This is in contrast to the full Telstra network, which covers 99.7% and 89% of the population, respectively.
Both before and after it was acquired by Telstra, Boost Mobile is the only Telstra MVNO that offers access to the full Telstra network, which covers 99.7% and 89% of the population, respectively.
Telstra has already shut down its 3G network, as have Optus and Vodafone. All major Australian mobile networks now only support 4G and 5G services.
Are there any telcos that use telstra network that give equal coverage to Telstra in regional areas?
The only telco in Australia that offers the exact same coverage as Telstra in rural and regional Australia is Boost Mobile.
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