Best Mobile Plans on the Optus Network

Optus network coverage: How does it work?

Optus’ mobile network covers 98.5% of the Australian population – just behind Telstra and ahead of Vodafone. The telco has been improving its coverage and service in regional and remote areas across the country. Optus provides 4G and 5G network service to its mobile customers, with its 5G network still growing. 

There are a range of smaller mobile providers, known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) using the Optus 4G and 5G networks to deliver services across the country. Unlike Telstra, which limits how much of its network the MVNOs can access, Optus grants its MVNOs full access to the Optus 4G network. Optus MVNOs can access the Optus 5G network, but there may be coverage or speed limits as the network continues to expand.

Optus coverage map

If you want to see if you’ll get Optus network coverage where you live — and any places you frequently visit — check the Optus coverage map on the Optus website. For coverage with an MVNO, check the coverage map on the provider’s website.

What are the Optus network coverage black spots?

‘Black spots’ refer to areas without network coverage, which are typically regional and remote parts of the country where a telco’s infrastructure is lacking or where phone signals are obstructed.

The big three telcos and the Australian Government have collaborated on the Mobile Black Spot Program, which aims to reduce the number of areas with limited or no service. This means that in some areas of the country where there isn’t Optus network coverage may receive reception in the future as infrastructure is improved.

Which providers use the Optus network?

There are a range of smaller providers offering Optus mobile coverage on their plans, with some offering prepaid plans and others offering SIM-only postpaid. Here are some popular Optus network providers: 

• AGL
• Amaysim
• Aussie Broadband
• Coles Mobile
• Dodo
• Flip
• iPrimus
• Moose Mobile
• OnePass Mobile
• Optus
• Southern Phone
• SpinTel
• Spriggy Mobile
• Yomojo

Amaysim

Amaysim is one of the best-known and most popular Optus network providers out there, delivering great value on its prepaid plans. Amaysim offers a range of prepaid plans with a 28-day expiry period, a seven-day short-term plan and a few long-term plans over 182 and 365 day expiry periods — all available with a physical SIM card or eSIM. Amaysim is owned by Optus after it was acquired in 2021, although its plans are considerably different from the more expensive plans Optus provides. Every Amaysim plan includes unlimited data banking (storing your unused data for when you need it later), 5G network access, and a range of new phones are also available to buy outright and bundled with a plan.

What’s good about Amaysim:

• Range of expiry periods on offer
• Unlimited data banking on all plans
• 5G network access on all plans

Look out for:

• 28-day plans a slightly shorter expiry than other prepaid providers offering 30-day expiry periods
• 5G speeds are capped at 150Mbps on most plans and 200Mbps only on the most expensive 28-day plan
• New phones are only available to buy outright (and must be bundled with an Amaysim plan)

Dodo

Perhaps better known as an internet provider, Dodo offers a small but competitive range of postpaid mobile plans. Dodo’s mobile arm includes a small selection of plans on month-to-month, no lock-in contracts. All plans include unlimited data banking along with 5G network access (although speeds are capped at 150Mbps) and all plans include some international call credit (although the amount varies between plans). Plans also include no excess data charges: if you use up your data allowance, you can keep using data at the capped speed of 256Kbps, although this may be too slow for some usage needs.

What’s good about Dodo:

• Unlimited data banking on all plans
• International call credit on all plans 
• No excess data charges

Look out for:

• Data speeds are capped at 150Mbps across all plans
• The speed cap on data (after you’ve used up your data allowance) might be too slow for certain activities
• The international call credit is more generous on the more expensive plans

Moose Mobile

Moose Mobile is typically one of the cheapest Optus network providers, and has won several Canstar awards for Most Satisfied Customers and Outstanding Value over the years. It offers a simple range of no lock-in month-to-month plans, typically offering good value for money. All plans include unlimited standard national calls and SMS, 5G access and up to 200GB of data banking.

What’s good about Moose Mobile:

• Up to 200GB data banking included on all plans
• 5G network access on all plans
• Parental control features available on the Moose Mobile app

Look out for:

• 5G speeds are capped at 100Mbps on all plans except the most expensive plan (which is uncapped)
• International call and SMS inclusions are only available on the most expensive plan
• eSIM not currently available

Southern Phone

Southern Phone was founded in 2002 with an ethos around serving regional communities, however in recent years it was bought by energy and telecommunications provider, AGL. It offers a range of SIM-only postpaid phone plans with 5G network access along with the option to add plans bundled with a new smartphone outright or on a 24-month contract. All of its SIM-only postpaid plans come with unlimited standard national calls and texts, along with international call credit.

What’s good about Southern Phone:

• 5G access on all plans
• International call credit on all plans, which can be used for standard calls to any country
• International roaming packs available to add on

Look out for:

• 5G speeds are capped at 100Mbps (4G speeds are uncapped)
• International roaming is automatically switched on and needs to be disabled if you want it switched off
• Only a small selection of phones are available and some devices are only available to purchase by calling

Pros and cons of Optus network providers

Choosing to sign up to a Optus MVNO can get you a great deal, but not all providers are created equal. Here are some pros and cons to consider when looking at Optus MVNOs:

Pros

• Plans often have better value for money data inclusions at cheaper prices than Optus
• Access to the full Optus network available
• Range of features including 5G access, eSIM and data banking offered by many providers

Cons

• Less customer services options available from MVNOs
• 5G access is often with capped speeds
• If you want a new smartphone, there are very few telcos to choose from, with only Optus and Southern Phone offering new phones on a plan and Amaysim offering refurbished phones.

Optus mobile plans

Optus has a wide range of phone plans. Whether you’re after a new phone bundled with a plan or a simple prepaid plan — there are plenty of options to choose from.

Optus postpaid plans

Optus offers a range of month-to-month SIM-only postpaid plans, all of which include unlimited standard national talk and text, plus no excess data charges. This means after you use up your data allowance, you’ll get ‘unlimited’ data capped at 1.5Mbps speeds. All plans include uncapped 5G network access, access to $5 per day global roaming, and some international call and SMS inclusions on select plans, plus access to Optus SubHub subscription bundling, which includes discounts for multiple services bundled. 

Optus prepaid plans

Optus offers its Flex Plus prepaid plans across a range of expiry periods, including seven days, 28 days and long expiry plans across 186 days and 365 days. All plans include unlimited standard national calls and SMS, the option to rollover up to 200GB of unused data, along with 5G network access (with speeds capped on select plans) and international call inclusions on select plans.

Optus mobile phone on a plan

Optus offers a wide range of phones to bundle with a plan. There are plenty of new devices to choose from including Apple iPhones, Samsung, Google, Nothing and Motorola smartphones. You’ll be able to select either 12, 24 or 36 months for your phone payments and the monthly phone cost will differ depending on your contract length — but you will pay the same amount in total. You’ll need to bundle your phone with a month-to-month postpaid plan. 

While your mobile plan is technically month-to-month, you will need to remain on an Optus plan for the length of your device payment period, otherwise you’ll have to pay off the remainder of your handset. Optus also offers the option to buy select phones outright, but you’ll still need to bundle with an Optus phone plan.

Optus phone plans pros and cons

Pros

• Offers a range of plan types to suit different needs
• A wide range of new mobile phones available to bundle on a plan
• Optus SubHub subscription bundling allows you to save on subscription costs for the more subscriptions you bundle

Cons

• Plans are typically more expensive than plans you’ll get from Optus MVNOs
• More of the extra value is offered on postpaid plans
• Select prepaid plans have 5G speed caps

What are the best mobile plans on the Optus network?

Choosing the best Optus mobile plan — whether that’s through Optus itself or an Optus network MVNO — will depend on what you want from a plan. If you prioritise cheap mobile plans with smaller data inclusions, a plan from an MVNO might be better suited. If you want a plan with more features or the ability to buy a phone on a plan, this may limit your choice to only Optus.

If network coverage is more of a concern, choosing a plan from an MVNO may limit your data speed and 5G access. Ultimately, you’ll need to consider a few things to find the best value for money plan for your needs.

• Cost: Are you after a cheap plan or do you have a bigger budget?
• Data: How much data do you need on your plan?
• Network coverage: Do you need the full network and faster 5G speeds, or will a smaller provider still suit your needs? 
• Extras and other inclusions: What extra features are going to add value to a plan for you — international calls, good-value global roaming inclusions, subscription bundling, a new smartphone on a plan, etc.