How to choose the right mobile plan
Few of us can be bothered comparing how much we pay each month for our mobile plans, thinking it is too hard. This what you need to know.
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We depend on our mobile phones like oxygen in our always connected world.
Many of us received our first mobile number as teenagers and perhaps haven’t considered changing providers and few of us also regularly compare the price we pay each month for the luxury of checking social media and communicating with friends and family.
It might seem like a chore, but the benefits of shopping around for the best mobile plans are more than just financial.
In Australia there are three mobile networks; Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. All other companies that you hear of that provide a mobile service leverages one of these three. Operators like Boost, Amaysim and Woolworths Mobile provide mobile services while not having their own mobile infrastructure. These brands, known as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator), purchase bandwidth from the big three.
The benefit of these brands is usually price with a more no frills approach, simply providing the service to you but without the retail network or bolt on benefits that the larger brands provide.
The key areas to focus on when selecting a new mobile service is data, coverage and additional benefits. Unlimited calls and texts is standard across all mobile plans on offer these days so it really is about trying to get the most data, in the places you need it, for the right price with a little sweetener where you can.
HOW MUCH DATA DO YOU NEED?
When it comes to data, the first thing to do is look at your past three months usage to determine a typical average of what you actually use.
It’s easy to assume you need a “Large” plan because you think you’re a heavy user. But when you factor in the reality that you’re connected to your home and office Wi-Fi for large parts of the day, your actual data use through your mobile carrier is likely less than you think.
Most of us are consuming data on our commute to and from work and when we’re out and about on weekends. The average Australian uses less than 10 gigabytes per month, which is lower than the smallest plans these three mobile carriers are offering.
TEN NO-CONTRACT SIM ONLY PLANS WITH MINIMUM 10GB OF DATA
FIX FOR MOST ANNOYING MOBILE ISSUE
Coverage can make or break your entire experience with a mobile carrier. Having an important phone call randomly disconnected or waiting too long for content to load can be infuriating. For each carrier, look at the mobile coverage maps and consider where you spend most of your time.
For years Telstra has provided the largest coverage in Australia allowing you to have a connection in rural or remote locations in the country where other networks simply don’t bother.
But if you’re usually roaming in metropolitan locations you’ll find that Optus and Vodafone are reliable and available where you need it. There is however varying levels of coverage. The ability to make a call is standard, but using data will bring different speeds. Telstra and Optus have been rolling out their ultra-fast 5G network, followed by Vodafone. 5G, where available, provides speeds four times faster than the NBN and this could be important to you. Coverage maps will detail the level of coverage for you to consider.
PLANS WITH BENEFITS
Mobile carriers know that the market is hot with competition and they will work hard to provide benefits on top of data allowance and coverage. The icing on the cake comes in various forms and some will interest you more than others.
Telstra runs a points system, similar to a frequent flyer initiative allowing you to purchase discounted tickets or buying items like headphones.
The telco also views 5G as a benefit meaning that the “Small” plan does not include 5G connectivity, so you will have to spend more for the privilege.
Optus have a lower cost of entry but provide 5G access on all plans. We also note that Premier League fans will appreciate the benefit of free Optus Sport & Fitness, a streaming platform that has started to grow with more content recently.
Vodafone has the lowest cost of entry, with 5G and the most data on their lowest plan.
The pandemic means international travel is on hold at the moment, but when we can leave our shores again, overseas travellers will love Vodafone for the best roaming add-on of all three carriers.
Their $5 per day roaming is half the cost of the Telstra and Optus offering with the most benefits. This is the advantage of Vodafone having a global presence that others can’t compete with.
All three mobile carriers offer these plans without a long-term commitment. Previously you would commit to 12 or 24 months on a contract however with the rise of prepaid, we now see no more lock-in contracts.
This gives you the opportunity to take your mobile number to a different network, try it for a month and switch elsewhere if you aren’t satisfied, with no penalties.
TEN NO-CONTRACT SIM ONLY PLANS WITH MINIMUM 30GB OF DATA
BENEFITS OF PRE-PAID
Given these recent changes, it is worth considering the value that prepaid mobile suppliers can provide. Boost Mobile uses the Telstra network and can provide unlimited calls and texts, plus 45GB of data for $40 per month.
The Telstra “Small” plan is $55 per month with less data allowance. If you don’t mind a few taps to recharge each month there is an instant saving without any concern of coverage. Grocery chains like Aldi offer small prepaid options for $15 with 3GB of data and unlimited calls and texts, usually perfect for seniors, and again on the Telstra network.
Every six to twelve months all mobile carriers will adjust and change their monthly plans. Networks also evolve often and coverage changes. It is important to audit your monthly spend and assess the alternatives. You’ll keep your mobile number, it can take less than an hour to switch carriers and the only problem you’ll have is deciding what to do with the money saved.
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