The cheapest 5G mobile plan on the Telstra network isn't with Telstra

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 15 August 2022

Cheapest 5G on Telstra network

60GB data

$40.00/mth

Min cost $40

Cheapest 5G on Vodafone network

40GB data

$40.00/mth

Min cost $40

Cheapest 5G on Optus network

80GB data

$40.00/mth

Min cost $40

Telstra MVNO MATE has launched its first 5G mobile plan, and has steeply undercut the competition. As an introductory offer, the MATE is offering 60GB for $40 per month. Customers who sign-up during the introductory period will keep this pricing for life, and MATE has yet to confirm when the offer will end.

As a Telstra MVNO, MATE's 5G speeds are however limited to 250Mbps. Telstra's own 5G plans can hit speeds of over 1Gbps, for comparison.

In addition to next-generation connectivity, the plan includes unlimited international calls to 15 countries, up to 500GB of data banking, and a free subscription to music streaming service Tidal.

If you're looking to bundle, you can save a further $10 per month by adding in a MATE NBN plan.

Looking more broadly, MATE's plan still stacks up pretty well to the competition:

#1	felix mobile	felix mobile felix Unlimited Mobile Plan Unlimited data at download speeds up to 40Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network 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 $40.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#2	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 50 SIM Only 250GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 250GB for $40– Includes $10 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $50. Offer ends 30.06.27 $40.00/mth Min. cost $40 Link not supplied	$40.00/mth Min. cost $40	Link not supplied
#3	Swoop	Swoop 250GB SIM Only 5G 250GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $40/mth for first 6 months then $50/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $40.00/mth Min. cost $40 Go to Site	$40.00/mth Min. cost $40	Go to Site
#4	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $40 SIM Plan 140GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 55GB bonus data for first 3 recharges when you activate by 03.11.26 $40.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$40.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	Exetel	Exetel Plus One eSIM Plan 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Vodafone	Vodafone $40 Prepaid Plus Recharge 90GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 60GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + $5 off with every Automatic Recharge $40.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$40.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#7	Dodo	Dodo Large Mobile Plan 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device 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 $40.00/mth Min. cost $20 Go to Site	$40.00/mth Min. cost $20	Go to Site
#8	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Large Monthly Plan 80GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#9	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 80GB Plan 80GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $27 for first renewal when you sign up by 11.10.26. New services only. T&Cs apply $40.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$40.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#10	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Choice 5G Plan 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

SpinTel also has a $40 per month plan with 5G, but this pricing only lasts for the first six months. You'll pay $50 per month thereafter.

Vodafone also has a $40 per month plan, but with a smaller download allowance than MATE - you're only looking at 40GB per month. Vodafone's plan does have uncapped 5G speeds, however.

The cheapest 5G plan on the Telstra network comes from ALDI Mobile where you'll pay $55 for a 30-day recharge with a 60GB allowance.

Telstra's cheapest 5G plan is $58 per month with a 40GB allowance. It's also capped to speeds of 250Mbps. To get uncapped speeds on Telstra Upfront mobile plans, you need to speed at least $68 per month.

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.

Read full bio