The real difference between Telstra, Optus and Vodafone’s mobile coverage

Anula Wiwatowska - Offsite Editorial Lead

Last updated 16 August 2021

Mobile plans from the big three providers aren’t all that different. Pay the money, get the data. With some you’ll pay a little more, with others you’ll get a little more data, some offer the bare necessities and others are full of perks. It is all pretty similar at the end of the day, but none of that matters if your mobile provider doesn’t have service where you live.

In Australia, mobile coverage is calculated based on the percentage of population the network covers. Here is how the providers compare;

Telstra covers 99.4% of the population
Telstra’s wholesale network covers 98.8% of the population
Optus covers 98.5% of the population
Vodafone covers 96% of the population

Considering that we’re such a spread out country, it makes sense but it is also confusing. If you were to look at a coverage map, like the one below, you’d see a lot of blank spaces. The vast majority of Australians live along the east coast, and in the other state and territory capitals. In order to cover over 90% of Australians, telcos don’t need to put infrastructure in the middle of the desert.

Therefore, most people should be covered by any of the major providers, but it always pays to double check before you commit. Check the coverage map below to see which providers have 3G, 4G and 5G available in your area.

Click to Activate Interactive Map

Coverage information is collected from carriers and other third party sources. This is approximate coverage only and does not include indoor coverage. Actual speed and performance depends on your location and device. Local conditions and things like natural and artificial physical features of an area all affect your reception. Coverage © Mosaik

How to find cheap phone plans

Now you know that there are only three mobile networks in Australia, so you know how to pick the provider that suits your needs. But, what you might not know is that all those small providers out there, the ones with the really cheap plans actually use one of these networks as well.

The best way to save money on your phone bill is to opt for one of the smaller providers that uses your chosen network. In most cases you’ll get the exact same network as you would with the owner of the network, but Telstra operates a little differently.

All providers using the Telstra network, bar Telstra and Boost Mobile, use the Telstra Wholesale network. This is smaller than Telstra proper, but still covers a higher percentage than Optus or Vodafone do.

Cheap plans on the Telstra network

Right now, Telstra network operators do not have access to the telco's 5G network. If you have a compatible 5G device and want to be able to access the network you'll need to be with Telstra proper.

Telstra wholesellers do not have access to WiFi and VoLTE calling, but Boost Mobile is the exception to this rule offering the full network and WiFi calling.

#1	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile 30GB Data $39 Per 28 Day Renewal Min. cost $13 Deal: Grab a $39 SIM for $13 – save $26. Hurry! Offer ends 05.10.26. Terms Apply	100%	Go to Site
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB Data No Contract $30/mth Min. cost $15 Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.	27%	Go to Site
#3	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile 290GB Data $300 Per 12 Month Renewal Min. cost $300 Deal: Get 290GB data on new activations, then 240GB from next recharge. Activate by 02.11.26	7%	Go to Site
#4	Telstra	Telstra 75GB Data $54 Per 28 Day Renewal Min. cost $54 Deal: Includes 40GB activation bonus for first 3 recharges, 35GB from your fourth. Ends 01.01.2027	5%	Link not supplied
#5	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 75GB Data No Contract $42/mth Min. cost $21 Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $21/mth for 4 months then $42/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.	4%	Go to Site
#6	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile 365GB Data $305 Per 12 Month Renewal Min. cost $305 Deal: Grab the $365 SIM for $305 – save $60. Hurry! Offer ends 12 October 2026. Terms Apply	3%	Go to Site
#7	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile 8GB Data $28 Per 28 Day Renewal Min. cost $28	3%	Go to Site
#8	Belong	Belong 85GB Data No Contract $34/mth Min. cost $34 Deal: Includes 60GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 04.11.26. T&Cs apply.	3%	Link not supplied
#9	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 50GB Data No Contract $36/mth Min. cost $18 Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $18/mth for 4 months then $36/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.	3%	Go to Site
#10	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile 6GB Data $14 Per 7 Day Renewal Min. cost $14	3%	Go to Site

$84 Essential Upfront SIM Plan

180GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get $10 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Essential Mobile Plan. New services only. Ends 05.10.26

$74.00/mth

Min. cost $74

Link not supplied

$74.00/mth

Min. cost $74

Link not supplied

Cheap plans on the Optus network

Optus providers have the option to use the Optus 5G network, but for the most part they haven't taken the provider up on the offer. SpinTel is the only provider who is currently offering 5G plans on the Optus network.

According to a source from Optus, all providers can also switch on WiFi calling and VoLTE calling, but this may not be available on all handsets and with every provider as of yet.

#1	SpinTel	SpinTel 25GB Data No Contract $12/mth Min. cost $12 WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth	100%	Go to Site
#2	Dodo	Dodo 40GB Data No Contract $30/mth Min. cost $15 Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10	43%	Go to Site
#3	Dodo	Dodo 80GB Data No Contract $40/mth Min. cost $20 Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Large Mobile Plan for $20/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10	10%	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus 100GB Data No Contract $39/mth Min. cost $39 Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply.	4%	Go to Site
#5	Dodo	Dodo 25GB Data No Contract $25/mth Min. cost $25	3%	Go to Site
#6	SpinTel	SpinTel 50GB Data No Contract $29/mth Min. cost $29	3%	Go to Site
#7	amaysim	amaysim 240GB Data $199 Per 365 Day Renewal Min. cost $199 Deal: Get 240GB for $199 (includes $121 off) on first renewal. Offer ends 31.10.26. New online services only. T&Cs apply.	3%	Link not supplied
#8	Optus	Optus 360GB Data No Contract $69/mth Min. cost $69 Deal: Get up to $10/mth SubHub credit to use on your favourite subscriptions for 12 months. T&Cs apply.	3%	Go to Site
#9	Optus	Optus 240GB Data No Contract $70/mth Min. cost $70	3%	Go to Site
#10	SpinTel	SpinTel 100GB Data No Contract $35/mth Min. cost $35	3%	Go to Site

#1	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#2	Optus	Optus $69 Optus Promo Plan 360GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Get up to $10/mth SubHub credit to use on your favourite subscriptions for 12 months. T&Cs apply. $69.00/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69.00/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $70 Optus Choice Plus Plan 240GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $70.00/mth Min. cost $70 Go to Site	$70.00/mth Min. cost $70	Go to Site
#4	Optus	Optus $90 Optus Choice Plus Plan 480GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device SubHub: Receive up to $20/mth SubHub credit when you have an active SubHub account with subs greater than $0. T&Cs apply $90.00/mth Min. cost $90 Go to Site	$90.00/mth Min. cost $90	Go to Site

Cheap plans on the Vodafone network

No Vodafone providers have access to the limited 5G network at this point in time.

#1	TPG	TPG 30GB Data $15 Per 1 Month Renewal Min. cost $15 Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply.	100%	Link not supplied
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone 65GB Data No Contract $45/mth Min. cost $45 Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply.	22%	Go to Site
#3	felix mobile	felix mobile 25GB Data $30 Per 1 Month Renewal Min. cost $15 Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply	21%	Go to Site
#4	felix mobile	felix mobile Unlimited Data $40 Per 1 Month Renewal Min. cost $20 Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $20/mth for first 3 mths, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply	17%	Go to Site
#5	Vodafone	Vodafone 220GB Data No Contract $50/mth Min. cost $50 Deal: Includes $18/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply.	11%	Go to Site
#6	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile 200GB Data $190 Per 365 Day Renewal Min. cost $190 Deal: Get 200GB data for only $190 on the Medium 365 Day Flex Plan. Offer ends 30.11.26	5%	Go to Site
#7	felix mobile	felix mobile 50GB Data $35 Per 1 Month Renewal Min. cost $17.50 Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $17.50/mth for first 3 mths, then $35/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply	3%	Go to Site
#8	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile 25GB Data $23 Per 30 Day Renewal Min. cost $23	3%	Go to Site
#9	Vodafone	Vodafone 420GB Data No Contract $55/mth Min. cost $55 Deal: Includes $23/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply.	3%	Go to Site
#10	Vodafone	Vodafone 225GB Data $179 Per 365 Day Renewal Min. cost $179 Deal: $250 SIM for $179 + Includes 75GB bonus data on activation + Extra 50GB on every Automatic Recharge	3%	Link not supplied

#1	Vodafone	Vodafone $58 Small SIM Only Plan 65GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply. $45.00/mth Min. cost $45 Go to Site	$45.00/mth Min. cost $45	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $68 Medium SIM Only Plan 220GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $18/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply. $50.00/mth Min. cost $50 Go to Site	$50.00/mth Min. cost $50	Go to Site
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone $78 Large SIM Only Plan 420GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $23/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply. $55.00/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55.00/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site

Anula Wiwatowska

Offsite Editorial Lead | Instagram

Anula is the Off-Site Editorial Lead for WhistleOut Australia, and an award winning tech journalist. She has been writing about the Australian telco industry, and consumer technology for over five years, and has been known to tell her Uber driver which phone they should upgrade to next.

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