Telstra providers: Compare mobile plans on the Telstra Network

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, so we'll also dive into how it can differ.

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.

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.

Boost Mobile might not be the cheapest Telstra MVNO, but it's the only provider other than Telstra itself with access to the full Telstra network. This means superior coverage, especially for 5G and for 4G in regional or remote areas. And while other Telstra network providers can be cheaper, Boost's plans will still cost you quite a bit less than if you opted for a plan from Australia's largest provider.

Boost's plans also include a rare perk: unlimited calls to 20 countries on all but its cheapest plan, plus 300 standard international minutes and texts to an additional 30 counties.

The main downsides of Boost is it can be more expensive than other Telstra providers, due to its full network access. On top of this, its standard plans have a 28-day expiry, meaning 13 bills per year instead of the 12 you'd pay if they were monthly.

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.

Prepaid plans have no contracts, and this also goes for almost all SIM-only plans, 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.

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.

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.

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 Upfront plans from Telstra itself, which have no speed limit, as well as some of the most expensive plans from a handful of MVNOs.

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. Plus, 150Mbps is plenty fast for the vast majority of phone uses.