It's finally happened: unlimited data mobile plans are available in Australia. We've been asking for them for years, but were they worth the wait? The answer for now is a resounding "it depends".
Right now you have four "unlimited" data plans to pick from - three from Vodafone, and one from Telstra - and if the scare quotes didn't give it away, you could argue about whether or not they're truly unlimited.
In each case, you get a base data allowance that you can use at full 4G speeds. Currently, these plans start at 40GB. Once you go over the 40GB (or whatever your base allowance is), you can keep using your plan without paying any excess fees, but data speeds will be shaped to 1.5Mbps.
|
#1
|
felix mobile
felix Unlimited Mobile Plan
$40.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
|
#2
|
felix mobile
felix Unlimited+ Mobile Plan
$50.00
Per 1 Month Renewal
|
Standard 4G speeds tend to range from between 20Mbps to 100Mbps, so 1.5Mbps is a pretty big step down. That being said, it's still fast enough to watch your favourite shows on Netflix or Stan, albeit in standard definition.
While 1.5Mbps might be passable on a phone, where websites and apps tend to be less data intensive, using your phone as a portable hotspot at these speeds would be tantamount to torture.
Essentially, you probably can't use an unlimited data phone plan to replace your home internet connection just yet.
So, do you need unlimited data?
As exciting as it is for unlimited data plans to have finally arrived, it's worth considering whether you actually need an unlimited data plan at all. The latest ABS Internet Activity Survey, suggested the average Australian is still only using 2.2GB of mobile data per month, and while this is on the rise, the base 40GB "high speed" data allowances offered by Telstra and Vodafone are a big leap up.
In real world terms, 40GB equate to:
- Approximately 160 hours of Netflix
- Approximately 240 hours of Spotify at the highest quality
- Approximately 480 hours of scrolling through Facebook
That's a whole lot of internet. To put this into perspective, there's 730 hours in the average month. If we assume you spend around 230 of those sleeping, you've got 500 hours left to use your phone. If you don't think you can make it through an entire 40GB in that time, an unlimited phone plan might not be for you.
I consider myself a relatively heavy smartphone user. I'll stream Netflix on the train at the gym, I stream a lot of music, and I'll download app updates without connecting to Wi-Fi, but I rarely use more than 15GB in a month. For me, an unlimited plan would simply mean I'm paying for data I'm not using.
Even if you're a high usage user, there's cheaper plans on offer that are worth considering first:
|
#1
|
Dodo
Small Mobile Plan
$25.00/mth
Min. cost $25
|
|
#2
|
Tangerine Telecom
30GB 5G Mobile SIM
$30.00/mth
Min. cost $15
|
|
#3
|
Belong
25GB Mobile Plan
$34.00/mth
Min. cost $34
Link not supplied
|
|
#4
|
Optus
$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan
$39.00/mth
Min. cost $39
|
|
#5
|
Everyday Mobile
$40 SIM Only
$40.00/mth
Min. cost $40
Link not supplied
|
|
#6
|
Vodafone
$58 Small SIM Only Plan
$45.00/mth
Min. cost $45
|
These SIM-only plans all have generous data inclusions, and will all cost you less than an unlimited data plan.
At the same time, it's worth contemplating whether the freedom and flexibility offered by an unlimited data plan could change how you use the internet on your phone. If there's no risk of bill shock or overages, you might be more liberal in how you use data.
And if you're relying on your mobile phone as back-up internet connection or you're regularly tethering on the go, and unlimited plan could be worth your while.
The short of it is, you want to be using A LOT of data to ensure you're getting value for money with an unlimited plan.
Alex Choros
Related Articles
