I change my mobile plan every six months and so should you

Dylan Crismale - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 10 August 2023

When I came off a 36-month phone payment plan at the start of this year I made myself a promise. No more paying too much for an amount of data I don't need.

The cost of living is keeping many people on their toes at the moment. I cancel subscriptions I don't use, (try to) cook more at home and have even started cycling through streaming services so I only pay for a few I'm actively watching.

Our advice here at WhistleOut when it comes to your mobile and internet plans is to consider switching every six months. Most telcos have some kind of introductory offer available and they usually last, you guessed it six months. Plus, it's just a good habit to regularly review your how much your spending.

For me, all was running fine until June when my provider Belong like many Telstra MVNOs announced a price increase - just on the plan I happened to be on.

In my case the 20GB plan was being retired for a new 25GB plan costing $29 per month. It does make you wonder - if telcos can just throw data at you to keep you happy why are they increasing the price at all? The ACCC noted in its annual report that consumers download on average just 10.2GB per month. That's me - I'm the average Australian.

Because this was Belong's cheapest plan it was time to look elsewhere. I started by looking at other MVNOs on the Telstra network with at least 20GB of data (I like to keep a buffer):

Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge

22GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps
Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network
Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply

$25.00

Per 30 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

$25.00

Per 30 Day Renewal

Link not supplied

30GB 5G Mobile SIM

30GB 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 - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn.

$30.00/mth

Min. cost $15

Go to Site

$30.00/mth

Min. cost $15

Go to Site

I thought these were some decent options. While it's not quite the same as the unlimited data Belong offered both MATE and Tangerine have up to 500GB of data banking. Woolworths (now Everyday Mobile) offers 10% off your grocery shop.

Then I thought hang on is it worth the effort of saving $24 over the next six months? Not quite. I needed to go slightly bigger, read: smaller.

I took a look at plans on the Telstra network with at least 10GB of data:

#1	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $25 Recharge 22GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 4G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 4G Mobile Network Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$25.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#3	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $28 Mobile Plan 12GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$28.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB 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 - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site

By going with one of these $20 plans I'd be saving at least $60 over six months or $120 if I end up staying for 12. Now that might not sound like a lot but in the context of potential rent increases and a very large winter power bill I just received I'm happy to have a few extra dollars.

I opted for Tangerine and my welcome pack arrived just a few days later. All up switching took less than 15 minutes of my time and I was off with my new cheaper mobile plan. The only question that remains: will I survive on just 10GB a month? I guess we'll find out.

Now your search doesn't have to be the same. If you're open to considering plans on the Optus or Vodafone networks you'll have even more options. You can start by using the search tool below. Happy saving.

Dylan Crismale

Digital Content Editor

Dylan Crismale is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, has been writing for almost a decade across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans. Dylan is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money and educating people about tech. When he's not sat at his desk Dylan loves working out, bingeing TV and hanging out with friends.

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