Telstra vs. Optus vs. Vodafone coverage maps Australia

Telstra vs Optus vs Vodafone coverage Australia

Before you sign up for any mobile phone plan, you should have a good understanding about the strengths and weaknesses of a provider's coverage in your area. At a minimum, you should check coverage for where you live and work. After all, no coverage means no use of your expensive new smartphone.

In Australia there are three mobile network owner/operators: Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. All other mobile service providers lease service from one of these three networks. For example, Woolworths Mobile offers service on the Telstra network. Companies like Woolworths Mobile are known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).

Telstra has the widest coverage followed by Optus and Vodafone closely behind. Those of us in capital cities should have our pick of the litter but it never hurts to check.

Follow the links below for a more in-depth look at the coverage maps for the three main networks and the MVNOs powered by them.

Telstra Coverage

Optus Coverage

Vodafone Coverage

Telstra coverage map

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

Telstra's mobile network covers 99.4% of the population making it the farthest reaching network in the country. The Telstra network is synonymous with rural customers whom may not get reception with any other provider.

Lucky individuals might just be able to tap into the provider's 5G network in select areas too, but you'll have to pay extra for the privilege or stick with the 4G network.

Here are our most popular Telstra SIM-only plans.

#1	Telstra	$115 Extra Large Upfront SIM Plan	Telstra 180GB Data $65/mth Min. cost $65 Deal: Save up to $600 over 12 months you stay connected for 12 months on the Extra Large plan. Offer ends 01.03.21.	100%	Go
#2	Telstra	$55 Small Upfront SIM Plan	Telstra 40GB Data $55/mth Min. cost $55	34%	Go
#3	Telstra	$65 Medium Upfront SIM Plan	Telstra 80GB Data $65/mth Min. cost $65	20%	Go
#4	Telstra	$85 Large Upfront SIM Plan	Telstra 120GB Data $85/mth Min. cost $85	5%	Go

Telstra MVNO coverage

Telstra wholesale network which it's MVNOs use is similar but not identical. While Telstra covers 99.4% of Australia's population the network used by MVNOs covers just 98.8% to the exclusion of Boost Mobile which has unfettered access to the full network.

To avoid disappointment rural Aussies should double check the coverage available in their area before committing to a new plan. You can read more about Telstra MVNO coverage here.

City-slickers on the other hand will most likely be able to get away with Telstra coverage with some of these Telstra MVNOs.

#1	Belong	100%	Go Plans from $25/mth
#2	Woolworths	70%	Go Plans from $35/mth
#3	Pennytel	34%	Go Plans from $15.99/mth
#4	MATE	15%	Go Plans from $25/mth
#5	numobile	3%	Go Plans from $30/mth
#6	Tangerine Telecom	3%	Go Plans from $44.90/mth

Optus coverage map

Click to Activate Interactive Map

Optus' ever-growing network now covers 98.5% of the Australian population. This kind of coverage should be fine for the vast majority of Aussies (duh) but more remote customers may suffer. In saying that Optus is constantly upgrading its service including a 5G rollout which will help keep more of us connected.

Here are our most popular Optus SIM-only plans.

#1	Optus	$119 Optus One Plan	Optus 500GB Data $65/mth Min. cost $65 Deal: Get the $119 Plan for $65/mth for 12mths and save $54/mth. Plan fee reverts to standard in market fee thereafter. Offer ends 01.03.21.	100%	Go
#2	Optus	$39 Optus Choice Plan	Optus 10GB Data $39/mth Min. cost $39	56%	Go
#3	Optus	$49 Optus Choice Plan	Optus 60GB Data $49/mth Min. cost $49	47%	Go
#4	Optus	$59 Optus Choice Plan	Optus 100GB Data $59/mth Min. cost $59	16%	Go

Optus MVNO coverage

Unlike Telstra, Optus doesn't differentiate it's wholesale offering. Whether you pick Optus proper or one of it's MVNO providers you will receive the exact same coverage.

Check to see if you're covered by Optus and take advantage of some Optus lite pricing instead.

Check your coverage

#1	Circles.Life	100%	Go Plans from $14/mth
#2	Moose Mobile	85%	Go Plans from $12.80/mth
#3	Dodo	58%	Go Plans from $15/mth
#4	SpinTel	3%	Go Plans from $9.95/mth
#5	Southern Phone	3%	Go Plans from $12.99/mth
#6	Vaya	3%	Go Plans from $24/mth
#7	Exetel	3%	Go Plans from $14.99/mth

Vodafone coverage map

Click to Activate Interactive Map

While sometimes thought of as a lesser network Vodafone covers 96% of the Australian population which is just marginally less than Optus. Probably due to some less than desirable preconceptions about its network, Vodafone offers a 30-day network guarantee. If you're Vo-curious then you can test it out for 30 days and if you're not happy you can opt out - no strings attached.

50GB Data
$35/mth
Min. cost $35
Deal: Save $60 over 12 months on new services + 40GB bonus data + Amazon Prime & Music + 5G network access + more!

100%

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Vodafone MVNO coverage

Vodafone's MVNOs have access to the entire Vodafone network so opting for something cheaper won't cost you coverage.

While there are significantly less Vodafone MVNOs you can still get a great deal. Check your coverage and if you're ready to put yourself back on the telco market why not give a Vodafone MVNO a go?

Check your coverage

#1	TPG	100%	Go Plans from $19.99
#2	Kogan Mobile	28%	Go Plans from $36.90
#3	Lebara Mobile	27%	Go Plans from $29.90

Getting the best plan and coverage

WhistleOut's coverage check feature supercharges our robust comparison engine by allowing you to instantly see what coverage is like at your location. All you have to do is punch in your address and we do the rest. This feature is the first of its kind, and empowers you to make better decisions when it comes to which carrier you go with. If you need help figuring out how to use it, the GIF below should help:

In addition to showing you a map of your area with the coverage from the three major networks, we filter to ensure you're only seeing plans from providers who can provide you with good reception.