Telstra increases lead in mobile network coverage

Dylan Crismale - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 05 July 2023

Photo of the Telstra Tower landmark in Canberra taken by Josh Withers

Telstra has reached a new network coverage milestone, with its 5G network now covering 85% of the population.

The goal is eventually for Telstra's 5G reach to extend to 95% of the population by 2025.

The telco's 4G coverage now reaches 99.6% of Aussies. That puts it ahead of Optus which reaches 98.5% of the population and Vodafone at 96%.

In terms of the physical network spans 2.7 million square kilometres or 35% of the country.

Telstra Executive for Technology, Development and Innovation Channa Seneviratne says the telco's total network footprint now covers a million more square kilometres than its nearest competitor with plans to add an additional 100,000 square kilometres of coverage by 2025.

In addition to bolstering coverage, Telstra is also focusing on bringing the "metro" network experiences to regional locations. As part of those efforts, Telstra is working with Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite companies to provide another avenue for the regions to get connected.

In June it unveiled a new partnership with LEO satellite provider OneWeb and earlier this week Telstra announced that it has partnered with Starlink. The telco intends to address specific market segments with its own package of Elon Musk's satellite service including ongoing customer support as well as hardware installation.

Telstra's network announcements do however come at the same time as a new price increase takes effect, with all Upfront mobile customers set to pay between $3 and $6 more per month from this month.

See Telstra's current range of SIM-only mobile plans at the new prices here:

$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

$74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan

50GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices

$74.00/mth

Min. cost $74

Link not supplied

$74.00/mth

Min. cost $74

Link not supplied

$99 Premium Upfront SIM Plan

300GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get $15 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Premium Mobile Plan. New services only. Ends 05.10.26

$84.00/mth

Min. cost $84

Link not supplied

$84.00/mth

Min. cost $84

Link not supplied

Of course, you don't need to pay Telstra prices to get a slice of that juicy Telstra network coverage.

A range of providers such as Tangerine, Mate, Exetel and More all operate on the parts of the Telstra network. Now because this wholesale network isn't the full network the coverage is slightly less; covering 98.8% of the population. But it's still ahead of what Optus and Vodafone offer. Boost Mobile is the only MNVO that offers access to the full Telstra network for less thanks to a special deal.

You can compare the cheapest plans from Telstra MVNOs with at least 20GB here:

#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	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
#3	More	More 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB 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 $33.00/mth Min. cost $33 Link not supplied	$33.00/mth Min. cost $33	Link not supplied
#4	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
#5	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $34 Mobile Plan 45GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $34.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$34.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Essential 5G Plan 35GB 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 $35.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$35.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#7	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $39 Prepaid 30GB 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 $39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#8	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
#9	Telstra	Telstra $44 Pre-Paid Mobile 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 30GB activation bonus for first 3 recharges, 20GB from your fourth. Ends 01.01.2027 $44.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$44.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

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.

Read full bio