Easily compare mobile SIM plans

In Australia there are two main types of mobile phone plans available. These are phone and plan bundles, where you get a device such as a smartphone with a plan, and the other is a SIM-only plan. Learn more about these two options below:

• Phone with a plan: This is where you purchase a phone plan along with a mobile device. Your monthly phone bill goes towards paying off the cost of the phone as well as for your phone plan. The device component of your bill will generally come with a contract term of either 12, 24, or 36 months. These kinds of plans are generally used by customers who don’t want to pay the cost of the device up-front.
• SIM-only plan: Like the name suggests, SIM-only plans come with just a SIM card service and not a mobile device. These kinds of plans are generally used by customers who wish to buy a mobile device outright themselves, or are switching phone plans and providers and want to retain their current mobile device.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as the ‘best mobile phone plan’, and even ‘cheapest mobile phone plan’ is open to interpretation as you still want to find a plan that suits your needs. Finding a suitable plan for you depends on a range of factors, including your budget, lifestyle, and what kind of features you’re looking for in a phone plan.

When it comes to finding a good deal on your mobile phone plan, there’s a range of features to consider. Here’s a few of the main features worth considering:

• Data: Measured in Gigabytes (GB), data refers to how much internet use you have available to you, when you’re not using Wi-Fi. For example, if you’re on a train commuting to work and streaming podcasts on Spotify or watching videos on YouTube, this comes out of your data allocation.
• Price: This is usually a monthly fee based on the plan you select. It’s important to note that you can be charged over and above your plan if you exceed your monthly data allowance or otherwise exceed the limits that apply to your postpaid plan (e.g. make international calls if they are not included).
• Contract type: Some providers offer no lock-in contracts, giving you the ability to adjust your plan if needed, whereas others may lock you into a contract for a certain period.
• Bundling: In some instances, you can get a cheaper mobile phone plan by bundling your plan with your home internet and phone provider.
• SIM only or with a phone: Some mobile phone plans come with handsets (e.g. an iPhone) as well as a SIM card, whereas others can be with just the SIM card (referred to as SIM only).
• Extra features: Some providers may offer additional perks, such as discounts on digital subscriptions services, and other entertainments offers.

5G refers to ‘fifth generation’ wireless technology. Building on 4G, 5G technology is expected to result in faster downloads, seamless streaming, real-time gaming, and greater device connectivity.¹ Only a select number of mobile phone retailers in Australia offer 5G phone plans, though this is expected to become more common over time.

1. https://infrastructure.gov.au

SIM plans typically come in two forms: prepaid and postpaid.

• Prepaid phone plan: This is where you manually pay for access to your plan features in advance. Prepaid plans often come with expiry periods, which means you have a set time to use your plan features. These periods can range from 28-365 days.² Prepaid plans are usually used by those on a set budget.
• Postpaid phone plan: This is where you pay for your phone plan after you’ve used it, typically via your monthly phone bill. If you exceed your monthly allowance of data or other features, then you may incur additional charges or a slower service, depending on the terms of your contract.

     2. https://whatphone.com.au

How much data you require will depend on how you plan to use your mobile device. For example, if you mainly use your phone for texting and making phone calls, then a lower data plan may suit your requirements. However, if you plan to stream videos on platforms like YouTube and Netflix, as well as music and podcasts on Spotify, then a plan with higher data limits might be more suitable for you. Additionally, if you use your phone for work, including using emails and teleconferencing via Microsoft Teams and Zoom, then likewise a higher data plan might be more appropriate.

Yes, you can request for your new provider to use your existing mobile phone number. This is referred to as number porting. That said, only an active number can be ported from one provider to another, so it’s important to request that your number be ported before cancelling your existing contract.

Whether there are charges for cancelling your mobile phone plan depends on your provider and the type of plan. If you’ve signed up for a set contract period (usually 12 or 24 months), providers may charge you an Early Termination Fee for breaking the contract. In some circumstances, such as re-contracting to a new plan with the same provider, these charges may be waived.
If your plan includes repayments for a mobile phone handset, you’ll need to repay the remaining cost of your handset, which is generally a separate charge to the Early Termination Fee. To find out more, review your plan’s Critical Information Summary, which can be found on your provider’s website.

Mobile coverage can be affected by a number of factors, including technology, radio frequency, and geography. Some frequencies provide better regional coverage, while others are designed to penetrate through obstacles, such as tall buildings.³

Before you sign up with a provider, you should consider whether your usage will mainly be in regional or metropolitan areas and review their network details accordingly.

If you’re experiencing coverage problems with your existing service, you should contact your provider. There are steps they will need to take to determine the issue, including assessing whether there’s a fault with your handset, before determining how and if the matter can be resolved.

3. https://acma.gov.au

A SIM only plan provides you with a SIM card with a set amount of mobile data, talk time and text. Some providers may offer other inclusions, such as free access to different apps and services depending on their agreements. The SIM can then be used in your own ‘BYO’ mobile handset, provided it’s unlocked for use on any network.

SIM only plans are often cheaper than phone plans with a mobile handset, as your monthly charge doesn’t include the cost of a new handset. Depending on your individual provider, there may be the option of signing up for a month-to-month (casual), 12-month or 24-month plan.