Coverage plays a big role in how people choose their mobile phone plan. Nobody wants to pay for a phone plan that doesn't work due to a lack of coverage in the areas they frequent.
Optus has the second-largest network in Australia. It covers a huge 98.5% of the population. Telstra's coverage is ahead on 99.6% while Vodafone's network covers 96% of people.
You may notice we're talking about population - not geographical coverage. That's because the network is built largely around where people live and work. Telstra has the best coverage due to it primarily covering more people in regional Australia.
As you'll see via the map below Optus network should cover you just fine if you live in an urban centre. So long as you're in a well-populated area you should have no issues getting coverage on an Optus mobile plan.
Optus mobile network coverage
Click to activate the map below. It will display Optus' 5G, 4G, and 3G coverage. You can untick the boxes to see less of one network if you like. You can even toggle over to get a look at Telstra and Vodafone's networks.
Note: Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.
Here are Optus' prepaid and postpaid plans:
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#1
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
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#2
|
Optus
$69 Optus Promo Plan
$69.00/mth
Min. cost $69
|
|
#3
|
Optus
$70 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$70.00/mth
Min. cost $70
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#4
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Optus
$90 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$90.00/mth
Min. cost $90
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Optus MVNO coverage
So you’ve checked the map and are happy with the coverage that Optus offers - great! But did you know that an Optus plan isn't your only option? There are smaller telcos that use the Optus network.
These mobile providers are called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOS). Because MVNOs are piggybacking off someone else's network they are able to offer plans for less - they don't have to worry about overheads. They typically don't offer as many extras as Optus does but that doesn't mean they're bad value.
If all you require is a phone service with calls, texts, data or even international roaming then an Optus MVNO could be a better choice. But if you want things like entertainment bonuses or other rewards then going for Optus, Telstra or Vodafone is probably the better choice.
As you can see below, there are plenty of plans available that all use the Optus network.
At the time of writing, WhistleOut monitors the plans of 11 MVNOs that use the Optus network. These providers are:
Here are popular plans from these providers:
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#1
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SpinTel
Editor's Pick
$23 Mobile Plan
$12.00/mth
Min. cost $12
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#2
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Dodo
Editor's Pick
Medium Mobile Plan
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
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#3
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Yomojo
Starter 29GB Plan
$24.90
Per 30 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
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#4
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amaysim
UNLIMITED 240GB Long Expiry
$199.00
Per 365 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
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#5
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Coles Mobile
Prepaid $240 for 365 Days
$240.00
Per 365 Day Renewal
Link not supplied
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#6
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Aussie Broadband
Value 5G SIM Plan
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $40
Link not supplied
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Optus 5G coverage
Unlike 3G (which will be switched off soon) or 4G which is established, the rollout of 5G is still underway in Australia.
It's largely available in Australia's capital cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.
Optus is a little cagey about its exact 5G coverage figures but similarly to its 4G figures, it's likely it lags behind Telstra and sits above Vodafone.
Opensignal's Mobile Network Experience report released in October 2023 can shed some light on this. When looking at 5G coverage experience (which measures geographic coverage of populated areas) it scored Optus 3.2 out of 10. Telstra won the category with a score of 5.5 while Vodafone's 5G coverage scored 2.9.
Telstra quotes its 5G coverage as reaching 85% of the population with the aim of that figure reaching 95% of people.
However, in the same report, Optus did come out on top in four of five categories that measured the 5G experience for video, live video, gaming and download speeds.
Popular Optus 5G mobile phone plans
To take advantage of 5G networks you don't just need to be within the coverage area you'll need a 5G-enabled device.
Here are some popular 5G devices on Optus' plans.
iPhone 18 Pro 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 18 Pro 512GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 18 Pro Max 512GB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 18 Pro 1TB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 18 Pro Max 1TB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 18 Pro 2TB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 18 Pro Max 2TB
- 6.9 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 17 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
iPhone 17 Pro 256GB
- 6.3 inch display
- Rear Cameras: 48MP, 48MP, 48MP
- Front Camera: 18MP
Dylan Crismale
Digital Content Editor
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