Telstra's new 400GB mobile broadband plan could replace your NBN

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 10 May 2021

Telstra has quietly refreshed its mobile broadband portfolio, which now tops out with a massive 400GB plan at $85 per month. Previously, the largest mobile broadband plan available on Telstra was 200GB for $75 per month (which has now been discontinued).

While a 200GB allowance could certainly be enough data for some, 400GB per month is a much more comfortable and should serve the needs of all but the heaviest users looking for an NBN alternative. Gamers downloading multiple new release titles may still want to look elsewhere, for example.

If you’re looking at using a mobile broadband plan to replace your NBN connection, you'll also need a modem to put your Telstra SIM in. The telco has 4G portable hotspots starting at $4 per month, 5G portable hotspots start at $16.63 per month, or a more traditional router with a mesh satellite starting $11.08 per month.

These prices are all on a 36-month term, but all Telstra mobile broadband devices can be paid off over 12 months or 24 months. Alternatively, you can buy one outright.

In metro areas, the Telstra 4G network should comfortably be able to get speeds of over 100Mbps. That’s similar to an NBN 100 plan, which typically start at around $80 per month when you exclude timed discounts. Most NBN 100 plans have unlimited data, however. If you're keen to spring for a 5G device, our latest round of testing revealed average speeds of approximately 500Mbps on the Telstra network around Sydney.

Telstra has also made a few tweaks to its other mobile broadband plans. It's $25 per month plan now has 30GB, up from 20GB. And instead of a $55 per month plan with 60GB, the range now features a $55 per month plan with 75GB. Here is the complete range:

Upfront Data Plan Small

Mobile Broadband
30GB Data

$33/mth

Min. cost $33

Link not supplied

$33/mth

Min. cost $33

Link not supplied

Upfront Data Plan Medium

Mobile Broadband
100GB Data

$68/mth

Min. cost $68

Link not supplied

$68/mth

Min. cost $68

Link not supplied

Only Telstra's $55 per month and $85 per month mobile broadband plans include 5G network access. All plans are free from excess data charges, and the data can be shared with up to 10 other eligible Upfront plans on your Telstra account.

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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