Aussie Broadband provides its mobile services by using and reselling the Optus Mobile Network, giving customers access to Optus's extensive 4G and growing 5G coverage across Australia. While Aussie Broadband runs its own fibre network for home internet, it partners with Optus for its mobile offerings, acting as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO).
Aussie Broadband ABN 29132090192 acts as a reseller and uses the 5G and 4G mobile network and capabilities of the Optus Mobile Network to provide our mobile services.
Telstra has the largest and most reliable mobile network in Australia covering 99.7% of the Australian population in over 1,600 towns and communities, which is around 3 million square kilometres. Our mobile network is more than 1 million square kilometres greater than our nearest competitor.
In February 2021, Aussie signed a deal with Optus Wholesale to use their 4G and 5G mobile networks, with their previous partnership with Telstra only allowing access to their 3G and 4G networks. In March 2022, Aussie Broadband acquired Brisbane-based IT company Over the Wire for $344 million.
Amaysim uses the Optus network, meaning it provides mobile coverage and speeds on Optus's 4G Plus and 5G infrastructure, not Telstra's. Amaysim is actually owned by Optus, so customers get the same network footprint as direct Optus customers, with access to Optus's 5G where available.
Yes, Optus is generally cheaper than Telstra for similar data plans, often providing more data for the same price, while Telstra typically costs more but offers superior network coverage, especially in regional and rural areas, making the decision a trade-off between price and network reach. Optus usually wins on price, but you should check both providers' coverage maps for your specific locations.
Amaysim is cheap because it operates as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) on the Optus network, meaning it resells Optus's infrastructure at lower prices by cutting overhead, offering simple prepaid plans with no contracts, and focusing on value-driven pricing rather than complex bundles, allowing significant savings, especially on larger data plans.
We use the Telstra Wholesale Mobile Network.
Coverage area that reaches more than 98.8% of the Aussies.
Telstra Mobile is Australia's largest mobile telephone service providers, in terms of both subscriptions and coverage.
Telstra reception can seem bad due to local obstructions (buildings, hills, trees), network congestion when many users are online, your specific phone model, and being indoors or in a vehicle, as maps often show only outdoor coverage. While known for vast coverage, issues arise from tower cell direction, network tower load, and technical factors like frequency availability, making indoor or even certain urban spots weak despite overall network strength, with users often reporting better performance with competitors in built-up areas but praising Telstra's rural reach.
The cheapest mobile networks in Australia often come from MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) like Moose Mobile, TPG, iiNet, Kogan, and ALDI Mobile, offering deals starting around $12-$18/month for introductory periods with decent data on major networks (Vodafone, Telstra). For long-term value, consider Kogan Mobile or OnePass on 365-day plans, while ALDI Mobile and Boost Mobile provide budget prepaid options with strong network coverage.
Neither Vodafone nor Telstra is universally "better"; Telstra generally offers superior overall coverage, especially rurally, making it reliable for regional travel, while Vodafone often provides better value, with cheaper plans and more data, particularly in metro areas, though its network reliability in remote spots has historically lagged but is improving via network sharing with Optus. Your best choice depends on your location (urban vs. rural) and budget, so checking coverage maps for your specific home and frequent spots is crucial.
The best prepaid mobile provider, Large: felix
TPG sub-brand felix took home the win for the large category of prepaid plans. This is the first time felix won this category after placing as the runner-up last year.
Telstra ranked best for overall satisfaction with a score of 4.32/5. Dodo customers were most satisfied with internet speeds, with a score of 4.16/5. Aussie Broadband had the highest ranking for reliability, scoring 4.1/5.
Telstra generally has more extensive network coverage (99.7% population), especially in regional areas, making it more reliable for rural users, while Optus offers strong metropolitan coverage and often provides faster average speeds (especially 5G) and better value, with its network covering 98.5% of the population. Your best choice depends on where you live and your priority: wide-reaching reliability (Telstra) or faster speeds/better price (Optus).
Neither Optus nor Vodafone is definitively "better"; the best choice depends on your priorities, with Optus often leading in network speeds, data allowances, and overall quality, while Vodafone excels in value, affordability, and international features like $5 roaming, though coverage is similar in metro areas, making your specific location crucial for deciding between them.
As at 31 January 2025, Telstra had the most 5G sites (6,421 sites) with 1,482 more 5G sites than Optus (4,939 sites) and 2,662 more sites than TPG (3,759 sites).
Australia's first act of privatisation occurred in 1991, when the federal government sold the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, followed by the partial sale of Telstra and Qantas, all of which were significant national icons.
ALDI Mobile in Australia operates on the Telstra Wholesale network for its 4G and 5G coverage, providing access to most of Australia's population for 4G and many areas for 5G, with speed caps applied to plans. While it offers broad coverage through Telstra's infrastructure, users note it's not the full Telstra network, so coverage can be less robust in very remote areas compared to direct Telstra plans, but it's generally reliable in cities and populated regions with competitive pricing.
The biggest difference between 4G and 5G is the speed. 5G has the potential to be up to 10 times faster, because the way 5G works means that it uses smaller wavelengths and much higher frequencies which can support far more simultaneous connections than 4G.
ALDI Mobile reviews generally highlight its great value, unlimited data rollover (banking unused data), and use of the reliable Telstra network for strong coverage, making it a popular choice for budget-conscious users seeking similar coverage to Telstra at lower costs. Common downsides mentioned are the lack of eSIM support (only physical SIMs), occasional customer service issues, and potential speed caps compared to direct Telstra plans, though many find the service seamless and affordable for metro and regional areas.
The cheapest mobile plans in Australia often come from MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators) like TPG, SpinTel, Kogan Mobile, OnePass Mobile, and amaysim, with deals starting from around $12.50/month for basic data, while longer expiry plans (like 365-day) offer great value, such as Kogan's $179.90 for 140GB or OnePass's $200 for 280GB, averaging under $20/month, often including 5G and data banking/rollover. Prices and deals change, so check comparison sites like WhistleOut or Canstar for current offers on prepaid or SIM-only plans.
We'll look at big names like Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone and what they offer. With feedback from customers, we see why Amaysim is top for SIM-only plans. This shows how important network reliability and good value are in choosing a plan 1 2.
With amaysim, there is no minimum term contract, so you can cancel whenever you want. There is no fee for cancellation. We just ask that you send an email to [email protected]. Please note, you could receive Post-paid invoices with delayed usage charges up to 2 months after you disconnect.