Want Telstra for cheap? Belong Mobile is launching on Sunday

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 29 September 2017

Telstra will enter the low-cost mobile market on Sunday with the launch of Belong Mobile, an extension of its discount broadband brand. Belong Mobile will launch with just two plans: $25 per month will get you 5GB, while $40 per month will get you 15GB.

Neither plan has calling inclusions out of the box, but an extra $5 per month will give you unlimited talk and text, or an extra $10 per month will also get you unlimited international talk and text to select countries. This means most will probably end up paying $30 or $45 per month, depending on your chosen data allowance.

If you make the change to Belong Mobile before the end of the year, you'll get a one-off data gift that will double your allowance for your first month. Both plans come with unlimited data banking and data gifting. Unused data will be rolled over to your next month, and it will be available for as long as you maintain an active service with Belong. Alternatively, you're able to share unused data with other Belong Mobile customers. Virgin Mobile is the only other Australian telco that current offers data gifting. If you happen to run out of data, an extra 2GB will cost you $10.

Belong Mobile's plans are contract free.

In terms of value, Belong Mobile plans hold up favourably. When it comes to the $45 plan (factoring in a voice pack), you're looking at similar inclusions to what Optus, Virgin, and Vodafone offer around that price. Optus, Virgin, and Vodafone will however make you sign a contract for those deals, while Belong's plan is month-to-month.

#1	Dodo	Dodo Small Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $25.00/mth Min. cost $25 Go to Site	$25.00/mth Min. cost $25	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	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
#4	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
#5	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
#6	Telstra	Telstra $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

Belong's $30 plan (again, factoring in a voice pack) isn't dissimilar to what's offered by no-contract competitors, but spending around $5 or so more per month can get you 10GB of data. That being said, Belong is easily the best value provider on the Telstra network (at least around the $30 mark), so the decision will likely come down to whether you'd prefer Telstra coverage or extra data.

#1	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
#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	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
#4	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
#5	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
#6	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
#7	Telstra	Telstra $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

You'll be able to find Belong Mobile SIM packs in JB Hi-Fi and Coles from Sunday, or alternatively, you'll be able to order them direct through the Belong website.

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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