Vodafone axes unlimited mobile plan, ups starting price

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 25 January 2023

Vodafone has refreshed its postpaid mobile range, cutting down the number of plans it offers to three. As part of these changes, Vodafone's most affordable postpaid plan now starts at $45 per month, up from $40 per month despite having the same 40GB data inclusion.

A Vodafone spokesperson told WhistleOut "small monthly increase in price is a necessary response to inflationary pressures and the increased costs of doing business".

"This is not a decision we have taken lightly, and continue to invest in our products, services and network capability to provide a greater customer experience," said the spokesperson.

Vodafone has also eliminated its top-end plan with truly unlimited data. Its plans now max out with a 300GB data allowance.

Here is Vodafone's complete new range of SIM-only plans:

#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

These plans can also be paired with a new phone, like the upcoming Galaxy S23 series.

The plans are all free from excess data fees; if you go over your allowance, you'll be capped to speeds of 2Mbps. While that's faster than the 1.5Mbps offered by Telstra and Optus, Vodafone previously capped some speeds to 10Mbps. This faster capped data is no longer part of the new plan range.

The majority of these changes can be chalked up to simplicity, according to the Vodafone spokesperson.

"This refresh reduces the number and complexity of our postpaid plans in market, making it simpler for customers to better match their pricing and data needs," said the spokesperson.

"The removal of speed tiers in our refreshed plans keeps all plans aligned and consistent across the whole portfolio, while also giving customers enough speed to do the basics (like web browsing and emails), should they exceed their monthly data quota."

These changes only apply to customers signing up to a new Vodafone plan. Existing customers will remain on their existing plan.

Vodafone increasing the starting price of its plans isn't altogether surprising, given that Telstra and Optus both did so around the middle of last year. Telstra's most affordable Upfront SIM-only plan starts at $58 per month with 40GB, while Optus charges a minimum of $49 per month for a postpaid plan with 30GB.

$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

Vodafone still offers better data for dollar than its biggest competitors, but the price increase may make smaller providers even more attractive for anyone who already owns a phone.

Here's a look at the cheapest SIM-only plans with at least 40GB per month:

#1	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 30 SIM Only 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 50GB for $17– Includes $13 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $30. Offer ends 30.06.27 $17.00/mth Min. cost $17 Link not supplied	$17.00/mth Min. cost $17	Link not supplied
#2	Pivotel	Pivotel 50GB Mobile Swift Plan 50GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $17.50/mth Min. cost $17.50 Go to Site	$17.50/mth Min. cost $17.50	Go to Site
#3	Swoop	Swoop 60GB SIM Only 5G 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $10 off for first 6 months - $23/mth for first 6 months then $33/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.2027 $23.00/mth Min. cost $23 Go to Site	$23.00/mth Min. cost $23	Go to Site
#4	SpinTel	SpinTel $29 Mobile Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $29.00/mth Min. cost $29 Go to Site	$29.00/mth Min. cost $29	Go to Site
#5	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo Editor's Pick Medium Mobile Plan 40GB 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 Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#6	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
#7	Coles Mobile	Coles Mobile $35 Mobile Plan 45GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: Only $12 for 45GB (incl. $23 off first renewal). Offer ends 27.10.26 $35.00/mth Min. cost $12 Link not supplied	$35.00/mth Min. cost $12	Link not supplied
#8	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
#9	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
#10	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile $40 SIM Only 70GB 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 $40.00/mth Min. cost $40 Link not supplied	$40.00/mth Min. cost $40	Link not supplied

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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