Telstra owns Australia's largest mobile network, with its coverage reaching 99.5% of the Aussie population. In fact, its coverage is better in rural and regional areas than both Vodafone and Optus.
Despite its premium prices, many would argue it's worth signing up to Telstra for this very reason. But what do you get in return?
There's no doubt Telstra's postpaid mobile plans offering 80GB and above are excellent value especially since they come packed with features.
The downside is that this could be too much data for some people as postpaid users in Australia have been found to use approximately 10GB of data each month.
It's Telstra's lack of entry level plans that might not make it the best choice for some people. The minimum you would have to dish out is $40 a month for postpaid, or $30 a month for its prepaid plan.
But if the guarantee of coverage and extra perks appeal to you then Telstra could be worth it because:
Even with all these perks, consider whether Telstra is really right for you:
Unless you're looking to use 40GB a month or need Telstra network coverage because of work or where you live, we'd recommend comparing your options before committing.
Telstra's 28-day prepaid plans range from $30 for 10GB up to $60 for 40GB (disregarding any promotions).
They may not be the cheapest plans around but you do get an extra 20GB for the first charge, with data rollover helping to boost their value.
However, its long expiry (between 6 and 12 months) and prepaid casual mobile plans are best avoided.
The long expiry plans cost $2 per GB whereas the benchmark is $1 per GB.
Its prepaid casual mobile plan doesn't fare any better. For example, you'll get 300MB of data, 80 call minutes and 100 texts for $30.
You can get the same amount of calls and texts on a PAYG plan from ALDImobile for $22.40.
You can also pair the latest Samsung, iPhone or other handsets with Telstra's upfront postpaid plan to avoid paying for a handset outright.
This offers convenience, but will cost you more in the long run since there are cheaper mobile plans around.
However, keep an eye out for promotional deals and handset discounts that could make some of these newer phones more affordable.
Telstra has the widest coverage of any provider in Australia:
You can get in touch with Telstra any day of the week if you have an enquiry:
As one of Australia's largest mobile providers, Telstra has a bunch of extra features that you might find useful across its plans.
Data from up to 10 postpaid services on the same account can be combined and made accessible for all users.
Telstra has some of the best international inclusions on the market, which is great if you have friends or family overseas you'd like to contact.
In addition to 30 minutes of international calls to any country on all postpaid plans, you can send unlimited SMS anywhere in the world. Other providers will usually restrict you to a handful of countries.
Telstra's postpaid plans let you stream Apple Music without chewing into your data allowance, although you'll need your own subscription.
You can also watch sports on the AFLW, Netball and My Football Live apps without using up any data.
Telstra's standard prepaid mobile plans come with data rollover. Up to 200GB of your unused data will be banked for the next month so long as you recharge before expiry.
Telstra may be Australia's largest provider, but it certainly has some good competition.
For better value from another big provider:
Optus is Australia's second largest network, and has cheaper postpaid plans (for example, $55 with Telstra gets you 40GB, while Optus provides 80GB for the same price).
For the same coverage but cheaper:
Boost Mobile is a cheaper alternative to Telstra. It is the only other provider that provides full access to Telstra's 4G mobile network instead of the reduced wholesale version that others like ALDImobile and Woolworths use.
For cheap big data:
For better value, you can check out Circles.Life's 100GB or 160GB plan. Both plans cost about the same as Telstra's cheapest plan, but come with more than double the data.
If you're after a postpaid or new phone plan, clicking the green "Go to site" button in our comparison tables will take you straight to Telstra, where you can purchase the plan directly.
If you're looking to sign up to a prepaid plan, these are unfortunately unavailable via Finder right now. Head to www.telstra.com.au to find out more on Telstra prepaid plans.
Alternatively, you can visit a Telstra store and sign up in person.
What if I want to keep my current phone number?
Keeping your number with Telstra is easy. When you purchase your plan, simply indicate that you want to keep your current number, and Telstra will handle the rest. Telstra says it will take about 48–72 hours to complete the number transfer.
If your current number is under someone else's name (a parent or partner), it might take slightly longer. Check our guide on how to transfer ownership of your mobile number.
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i have my own phone and get pre paid creit every fortninght and is costing me too much can I go on a plan with u guys
Hi Phil,
Thanks for your comment and I hope you are doing well. Sorry to hear your current prepaid plan is costing you more money than expected. You can apply for a mobile plan with Telstra anytime. Simply choose the plan you want to get while filtering your options on top of the table in our page. Make sure you check the details of each plan carefully by reading the information on the “more details” tab. When you are ready, just click the GO TO SITE button and you will be brought to the main page of the telco provider.
Hope this helps and feel free to reach out to us again for further assistance.
Best,
Nikki
Can I purchase a telstra pre-paid SIM plan?
Hi Greg,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
Yes, you can purchase a Telstra prepaid SIM plan. Above, you will see a list of SIM plans. You can use our tables to know more about each plan’s details and descriptions. You can also use the filters to further narrow down your options. Once you’re done comparing, you can then click on the “Go to site” green button to learn more.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Hi!
I simply need a sim that has a long expiry date, 12 months, for the cheapest price. I also need minimal data and calls provided. It will not be used every week. I’m finding it hard to locate, an option suitable for my needs, amongst all the other prepaid plans; or perhaps everything has changed and I’m unaware. Please note I will not use vodafone; directly or indirectly any more.
Thank you
Hi B.,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. 😃
You may consider comparing long expiry prepaid plans based on their descriptions, price, and offers. Once you’re done comparing, click on the corresponding “Go to site” green button to learn more.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
I have an 87 year old mother in a nursing home and miss being able to talk to her on the phone. Looking for a deal with a mobile phone not prepaid with a phone with big buttons for her to use. Please help me. Currently have mobiles with Telstra
Hi Lea,
Thank you for your inquiry.
You may want to consider the Mobile Plans for Seniors for your Mother. We also have a list of mobile phones that you may want to check. While we can’t provide a specific recommendation, but that list should be a good place to start your search for the right phone.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
Hi I’ve just set up a landline 1000gig data with Telstra. For $90 My question is can I get Netflix added to this deal for free or how much will it be extra?
Hi John!
Thanks for the comment.
Netflix is not part of your subscription with Tesltra bundle. If you wish to have it added , you can choose among these monthly subscriptions: Basic ($8.99), Standard ($11.99) or Premium ($14.99). You can check how they differ to each other by checking this link https://www.finder.com.au/internet-tv/netflix-australia. Also, you can proceed with the service application by clicking the “”See Content””green button.
Hope this clarifies.
Regards,
Jonathan