Telstra mobile plans just got more expensive - how do they compare?

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 04 July 2023

Telstra's price increase is now in effect, with monthly rates going up for all of its customers on its Upfront mobile plans. Customers will now pay between $3 and $6 more per month, depending on their plan, but data allowances are mostly staying the same.

Here's the new range:

$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

Telstra's Basic plan was previously $58 per month with 40GB, and it's now $62 per month with 50GB.

Next up, the $68 per month Essential plan now costs $72 per month, but still has a 180GB. Similarly, Telstra's $89 per month Premium plan now costs $95 per month and has the same 300GB allowance.

Telstra has also changed its pricing for bundle plans. Instead of $47 per month for 15GB, you'll pay $50 for 25GB. Customers still need to be on the $72 per month Essential plan or better to add bundle plans to their account.

This new pricing will impact all customers on Upfront mobile plans from their first bill this month.

Telstra's Upfront plans are all contract-free, and you can change your plan month-to-month, even if you're paying off a new phone.

When it comes to the Big Three, Telstra is unsurprisingly still the most expensive option:

$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

$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

$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

Looking at entry-level mobile plans, Vodafone offers 40GB for $45 per month, while Optus does 30GB for $49 per month. In both cases, that's significantly cheaper than Telstra's $62 per month option.

There's an even greater disparity at the $65 per month and up mark:

$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

$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

Vodafone has a $65 per month plan with 300GB of data, while Optus has a $69 per month plan with 500GB. Optus' pricing lasts for the first year, after which it increases to $89 per month.

Optus, on the other hand, is offering its 500GB plan for $65 per month for the first year. After the first year is up, you're looking at $115 per month. Optus' standard $69 per month plan includes 220GB, which isn't dissimilar to Telstra's $72 option.

And if you compare Big T to Telstra MVNOs, you have plenty of cheaper options:

#1	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $39 Prepaid 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Grab a $39 SIM for $13 – save $26. Hurry! Offer ends 05.10.26. Terms Apply $13.00 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry Go to Site	$13.00 Starter Pack 28 Day Expiry	Go to Site
#2	Belong	Belong 25GB Mobile Plan 85GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Includes 60GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 04.11.26. T&Cs apply. $34.00/mth Min. cost $34 Link not supplied	$34.00/mth Min. cost $34	Link not supplied
#3	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $35 Recharge 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $35.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$35.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 50GB 5G Mobile SIM 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $18/mth for 4 months then $36/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $36.00/mth Min. cost $18 Go to Site	$36.00/mth Min. cost $18	Go to Site
#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	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
#7	More	More 50GB 5G Mobile SIM 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: Get $10/mth off new mobile plans for 36mths, then $4/mth ongoing when you sign up with a CommBank debit or credit card. Ends 31.3.27 $40.00/mth Min. cost $40 Link not supplied	$40.00/mth Min. cost $40	Link not supplied

Many Telstra-powered providers are currently offering double data to new customers for the first six months. These include Tangerine, MATE, Superloop, Exetel, More, numobile, and Woolworths Mobile. In most cases, these providers are charging around $30 per month for a 64GB allowance. This will halve after six months, but the plans include data banking, so unused data can be saved for a later date.

Telstra mobile plans do however have a few bonuses that could make them more appealing. New customers currently can score two free months of Binge, three months of Apple TV+, and four months of Spotify Premium. Telstra is also the only provider to still offer discounted movie tickets (through Telstra Plus).

Telstra has said it may increase mobile plan pricing in July each year, in line with CPI.

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.

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