What are Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customer Awards?

Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Awards recognise companies with the most satisfied customers overall based on consumer surveys.

How many people do we survey for our mobile broadband plan provider ratings?

Canstar surveyed 766 Australians with a current mobile broadband service for their feedback on providers they’ve been signed up to. Respondents had to have an active mobile broadband service in their name and pay the bills. Market research company PureProfile manages the survey on Canstar’s behalf.

How do we rate mobile broadband providers?

Survey respondents are asked to rate their satisfaction with their mobile broadband provider from zero to 10, with zero meaning extremely dissatisfied and 10 meaning extremely satisfied. Mobile broadband provider satisfaction is rated on the following criteria: Overall satisfaction: measures consumer satisfaction with a mobile broadband provider as an individual score, NOT the combined total of all criteria. Speed and reliability: there was good mobile network coverage and the internet speed met expectations. Value for money: the plan cost was reasonably priced for the quality performance and service provided. Customer service: the mobile broadband provider had multiple service options for customers and was relatively easy to get in contact with. Bill and cost clarity: the bill supplied by the provider was easy to understand. Ease of setup: the sign up and setup process was rather quick and simple.

How do we work out the winner?

The winning brand receives the highest overall rating once all the scores from each category are combined and averaged.

What other awards does Canstar give?

Canstar also gives Star Ratings to top performing financial products, and Outstanding Value Awards to providers with a range of high-performing products. Canstar’s Innovation Excellence Awards also showcase products and services that break new ground when it comes to helping customers.

Does Canstar rate other products?

Canstar rates products and services over a range of consumer categories, in addition to financial services. Explore Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers awards here.

What is mobile broadband?

Mobile broadband uses mobile networks to connect your device to the internet when you’re away from WiFi. It's ideal for connecting not just phones, but also tablets and laptops, and can be used anywhere where your provider's mobile network is available. Mobile broadband plans are sometimes called ‘data only’ or ‘data SIM’ plans. They can come as SIM only plans, or paired with a mobile broadband dongle or device which can be plugged into your computer or used as a modem to connect devices to a WiFi network.

How to compare mobile broadband plans

When you’re looking for the best mobile broadband plan, consider the following: Data allowance: How much data in gigabytes do you need each month or recharge? Price: What is your budget per month or recharge period? Network and coverage: Do you have a preferred mobile network (Telstra, Optus or Vodafone) and do you want 4G or 5G coverage? Prepaid or postpaid: Do you prefer to pay in advance or receive a monthly bill? SIM-only or device bundle: Do you want a data only SIM, or a WiFi hotspot, modem or WiFi dongle?

What is the difference between home wireless and mobile broadband?

Both home wireless broadband and mobile broadband rely on mobile networks to access the internet; however, mobile broadband is designed for on-the-go use. It’s suitable for use with tablets or portable hotspots and devices, and is often available as a data-only SIM. Home wireless broadband is designed as a home internet service to use instead of other connections, such as NBN. You’ll find mobile broadband plans are typically more expensive than home wireless, and may not be ideal for heavy data users or larger households.

How fast is mobile broadband?

Mobile broadband speeds are similar to the speeds of a mobile phone plan, as they use the same mobile networks to connect you to the internet. 4G only mobile broadband plans offer download speeds of up to 25 megabits per second (Mbps). This is equal to NBN 25 speeds, and should be more than fast enough for everyday internet use and even high-definition video streaming. In comparison, mobile broadband plans with 5G and 4G network access can potentially reach download speeds of 200Mbps or faster, although some plans may have speed caps in place. No matter your mobile broadband plan, your speed may vary due to your choice of plan and provider, your mobile network, your location, how many devices are connected and how busy the network is.

What is 5G mobile broadband?

5G mobile broadband uses both 4G and 5G technology to connect a device to the internet, rather than just 4G. Mobile broadband plans with 5G are typically much faster than 5G-only plans, capable of hitting download speeds of well over 100Mbps. Most telcos who offer mobile broadband offer 5G network access to customers with compatible devices, provided you have 5G coverage.

Can I get a prepaid mobile broadband plan?

Prepaid mobile broadband plans allow you to pay in advance for your data, rather than receiving a monthly bill for your usage. If your prepaid service runs out of data, you won’t be at risk of paying heavy excess data fees; instead, you can pay for a data top-up, or simply wait for your billing cycle to reset. Most prepaid mobile broadband plans are offered as data-only SIMs, although you may find some telcos allow you to bundle in a modem or hotspot.

What are WiFi dongles and pocket WiFi?

A WiFi dongle is a small device that can be plugged into the USB port on your laptop or computer for easy mobile broadband access. Basically, a dongle is a tiny, unpowered modem that uses your computer’s power to access the internet. Dongles may come pre-packaged with mobile broadband plans, but can also be bought outright and used with a data-only SIM card. A pocket WiFi hotspot, sometimes called a WiFi modem, is somewhat of a hybrid between a wireless router and a WiFi dongle. It accesses the internet through a mobile broadband or data-only SIM card, creating a portable WiFi network you can connect devices to. Most pocket WiFi hotspots are wireless and can be recharged via microUSB.

What is the best mobile broadband plan?

The best mobile broadband for you will depend on your budget, your location, and your mobile internet usage needs. When comparing plans, look at factors such as speed, data inclusions, the type of equipment needed, and the monthly cost.

What other mobile broadband providers are there?

In addition to the providers shortlisted for our award, there are many other telcos out there offering mobile broadband products, however some providers may refer to these as ‘mobile internet’, ‘data plans’ or ‘data-only SIMs’. Some other providers offering mobile broadband include: ALDI Mobile Aussie Broadband Belong More SpinTel Tangerine Yomojo

How do I set up mobile broadband?

Mobile broadband is simple to set up — once you've purchased your plan, your provider will send you a SIM card, along with a USB/WiFi dongle, modem or hotspot (if you've purchased a device add on). Setup will vary depending on the product you buy, but follow your telco's instructions and you should be up and running ASAP.

Best Mobile Broadband Plans And Providers

Written by

Emma BradstockSenior Telco writer

Edited by

Grace KinrossResearcher

26 Jun, 2025

Fact Checked

Consumer Ratings

Consumer Ratings

Consumer Ratings

Consumer Ratings

Most Satisfied Customers

Amaysim took out Canstar’s ratings for Most Satisfied Customers for Mobile Broadband Provider for the second year in a row, scoring five stars in all categories, including overall satisfaction.

About Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Mobile Broadband Providers

Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers Awards showcase the mobile broadband plan providers with the happiest customers across Australia. We ask customers to rate their satisfaction with their current mobile broadband provider by overall satisfaction, as well as other criteria including value for money, speed and reliability, customer service, ease of setup and bill and cost clarity.

Numbers crunched by Canstar’s researchers

766 customers surveyed
12 providers assessed
Four providers shortlisted
One award winner

Read our methodology

The best mobile broadband providers

The brands rated are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.

1. Amaysim

Amaysim made back-to-back wins, with a five-star sweep across all categories, including overall satisfaction, value for money and customer service.

Amaysim offers a simple selection of data-only plans on a 28-day expiry period, along with a long-expiry 365-day option. These plans are ideal for regular use in a tablet device and are available as eSIM. All plans include 5G access but with speeds capped at 150Mbps or 200Mbps.

2. Vodafone

Vodafone took second place with four stars in most categories including overall satisfaction, value for money and ease of setup, however it scored three stars for speed and reliability.

Vodafone, much like Telstra and Optus, offers a range of mobile broadband products, including modems, data-only SIM plans and prepaid mobile broadband. If you choose a mobile broadband device, you can pay it off over 12, 24 or 36 months and bundle it with a data-only plan.

3. Optus

Optus came in third place, scoring four stars for overall satisfaction, speed and reliability, bill and cost clarity and ease of setup. It scored three stars for value for money and customer service.

Optus offers a range of data-only plans which can be used with a device — such as a tablet — along with a simple selection of portable modems, perfect for on-the-go internet use.

4. Telstra

Telstra rounded out our ratings with four stars in most categories, including overall satisfaction, while it scored three stars for value for money and customer service.

Telstra offers a wide range of mobile broadband products to suit a variety of users. You can choose from a data-only SIM, or plans bundled with USB dongles and other mobile broadband devices, plus prepaid mobile broadband plans.

Past mobile broadband provider winners

Here are past winners of Canstar’s Most Satisfied Customers — Mobile Broadband Provider ratings:

2024: Amaysim
2023: ALDI Mobile
2022: ALDI Mobile
2021: ALDI Mobile
2020: ALDI Mobile
2019: ALDI Mobile
2018: Virgin Mobile
2017: Vodafone
2016: Optus

FAQs about Canstar’s Mobile Broadband Providers Award

Meet our internet experts

Emma BradstockSenior Telco writer

Emma Bradstock has been an authority on consumer phone, internet, technology and streaming markets in Australia for more than six years, having written more than 300 articles for Canstar. Emma covers a range of topics — from NBN speeds and technology to the latest release phones — and strives to help readers find the right phone and internet plans for their needs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University, has more than a decade of professional writing experience in print and digital media, and contributed to Canstar’s Highly Commended award for Best Consumer Technology Coverage in 2024. You can follow Emma on LinkedIn.

Grace KinrossResearcher

Grace is in the final semester of her Bachelor of Advanced Business (Honours) degree at The University of Queensland, majoring in Business Analytics and Marketing. Her studies have equipped her with strong capabilities in data analysis and consumer research. Grace began her journey with Canstar in early 2025 as a casual research assistant and has since progressed into her current role, where she oversees the consumer research ratings across a wide range of product and service categories. She is responsible for survey design and consumer data analysis, and enjoys her focus on uncovering insights that inform Canstar’s ratings and awards and help support consumers to make more informed decisions.