Vodafone overhauls mobile plans – but not everyone will be happy
Vodafone's made its entry-level SIM only mobile plan $5 a month more expensive.
Vodafone has revealed a new set of mobile plans and seems to have ditched its unlimited data plan as well.
Here's what's on offer now:
- Vodafone Small SIM only plan: 40GB for $45 a month
- Vodafone Medium SIM only plan: 150GB for $55 a month
- Vodafone Large SIM only plan: 300GB for $65 a month
Both Telstra and Optus also raised their mobile plan prices last year, adding to cost of living woes.
A Vodafone spokes said: "This refresh reduces the number and complexity of our postpaid plans in market, making it simpler for customers to better match their pricing and data needs."
How are these different from Vodafone's old mobile plans?
For starters, the 40GB plan used to cost $40 a month. Now, it'll set you back an additional $60 a year.
Second, you only have 3 plans to choose from. Previously there were 5.
We've summarised how much data you got with the previous plans and how much they cost.
Just keep in mind that Vodafone almost always runs promotional offers on its mobile plans. This is why we tend to compare its promotional price and data allowance rather than its original plan inclusions.
| Original price and data | Promotional price and data |
|---|---|
| $40 for 10GB | $40 for 40GB |
| $45 for 30GB | $45 for 80GB |
| $55 for 60GB | $50 for 200GB |
| $65 for 100GB | $55 for 300GB |
| $85 for unlimited data | $60 for unlimited data |
Current Vodafone customers will not be impacted as long as they don't change their plans.
Are Vodafone's plans still worth it?
If you stack Vodafone's revamped plans against Telstra and Optus then yes, they're still cheaper.
For example, Optus's entry-level SIM only plan costs $49 a month for 30GB. Telstra's is $58 a month for 40GB.
If you wanted to go with a major telco and Vodafone's coverage isn't an issue for you, then you'll save more money with it compared to signing up to Telstra or Optus.
In turn, you'll also get:
- No excess data charges. Your speeds will get capped at 2Mbps once you've used your data allowance.
- Unlimited international texts. Plus 300 minutes on the $55 plan and above.
- Hotspotting allowed. But only to your personal devices.
- Option to tag on $5 a day roaming add-on to your plan. This allows you to use your mobile plan overseas.
Do I really need that much mobile data?
It appears Vodafone's staying on trend by offering high data plans that may not suit everybody.
According to the 2021–22 ACCC communications market report, data allowances from telcos have continued to rise even though consumers are only downloading an average of 10.2GB a month.
The best thing you can do is find out how much data you're using by going to your smartphone's setting or checking your provider's mobile app.
You can also calculate how much data you need.
Once you're done, simply compare mobile plans to find one that suits your budget and data needs.
We updated this piece with quotes from a Vodafone spokesperson and new information on the impact to existing customers.
Unhappy about Vodafone giving up its unlimited data plan? Don't worry, felix mobile has you covered.