Telstra network coverage: How does it work?
Telstra owns and operates Australia’s largest 4G and 5G networks. Its 4G network reaches 99.7% of the Australian population, while its 5G network covers around 95% of the population.
A range of smaller mobile plan providers, known as Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs), also use the Telstra mobile network to deliver mobile services. Most of these providers have access to the Telstra wholesale network, which uses parts of the network to deliver 4G and 5G service to more than 98.8% of the population — although a small range of providers have access to the full network. While you won’t get access to the full Telstra network with most of these smaller providers, most people will still find good network coverage.
Telstra coverage map
To check if you’ll have access to the Telstra network where you live and any places you frequently visit, you can check the coverage map on the Telstra website, or on the website of any Telstra MVNO you’re looking at.
What are the ‘black spots’ in Telstra’s mobile coverage?
Mobile black spots refer to areas without network coverage. These are typically rural and remote parts of the country where a telco provider’s infrastructure is lacking, places where signals can’t reach, or where phone signals are obstructed. The Australian Government and the big three telcos which own and operate the networks have collaborated on the Mobile Black Spot Program, which aims to reduce the number of areas with limited or no service in Australia. This means that some parts of the country without Telstra network coverage might receive infrastructure upgrades in the future.
Which providers use the Telstra network?
There are a wide range of providers offering Telstra network coverage — often for less than what you’ll get from plans directly from Telstra. Here is a selection of some of the more popular Telstra network providers:Â
- ALDI Mobile
- Belong Mobile
- Boost Mobile
- Everyday Mobile
- Exetel
- Ezee Mobile
- Konec Mobile
- Mate
- More
- Pennytel
- Superloop
- Tangerine
- TeleChoice
- Telstra
ALDI Mobile
ALDI Mobile offers a solid range of prepaid phone plans, including pay-as-you-go options and family packs. Its main range of mobile plans include a selection of 30-day plans with unlimited standard national calls and SMS, data rollover and 5G network access on select plans (speed caps apply).
What’s good about ALDI Mobile:
- Range of plans to suit different users including 30-day prepaid plans, family plans, 365-day plans and pay-as-you-go plans
- Data rollover available across a range of plans
- Choice between eSIM and physical SIM card
Look out for:
- 5G not included on the cheapest 30-day plan and all plans have speed caps
- Only one 365-day plan to choose from
- Family plans include shared data that you’ll need to ration between services
Belong
As a direct Telstra subsidiary, Belong offers a simple approach to its no lock-in postpaid plans, offering four SIM-only plans with 5G access and the choice between eSIM and a physical SIM. All plans feature unlimited national calls and texts, international call inclusions, data banking, data gifting and access to the 5G network. Although Belong is owned by Telstra, it still operates on the Telstra wholesale network, meaning you won’t get access to the full network.
What’s good about Belong:
- Unlimited data banking for as long as you stay connected and pay on time
- Data gifting with other Belong customers (which can count towards your data bank)
- 5G access on all plans
Look out for:
- 5G speeds are capped on all plans (150Mbps or 250Mbps, depending on plan)
- International calls only included on the most expensive plan (costs extra to add on to other plans)
- Data gifting can only be sent five times per month and only in 1GB installments, while the sender needs a minimum of 1.3GB in their data bank
Boost Mobile
A prepaid service provider that, historically, has marketed to a younger demographic, Boost Mobile has ‘matured’ a little since the early 2000s, growing into a great-value telco across the board. It ceased using the Optus network for phone plans in 2013, and jumped ship to Telstra. Currently, Boost is the only MVNO to make full use of the Telstra 4G and 5G networks and as of 2024, Boost Mobile is now wholly owned by Telstra.
Boost Mobile offers a range of prepaid plans running across different expiry periods, with the main offerings running on 28-day cycles. Plans include unlimited standard national calls and SMS, data rollover, 5G access and international call and SMS inclusions on select plans, along with the option to go with an eSIM or physical SIM. You can also choose from a range of refurbished phones to buy outright from Boost.
What’s good about Boost Mobile:
- Access to the full Telstra networkÂ
- Range of prepaid expiry periods including seven days, 28 days and 12-months
- Data rollover on select plans
Look out for:
- 5G speeds are capped at 150Mbps on most plans, with a 250Mbps cap and uncapped access on the two most expensive 28-day plans
- No international call inclusions on the cheapest 28-day plan
- Plans are on shorter 28-day expiry compared to prepaid plans from other providers on 30-day expiry
Everyday Mobile (formerly Woolworths Mobile)
As one of the grocery giants in the mobile phone market, Everyday Mobile, formerly Woolworths Mobile, offers a range of mobile plans including SIM-only postpaid plans, 30-day prepaid plans and long-expiry prepaid plans across 180 and 365-day expiry periods, all available with a physical SIM or eSIM. You’ll have access to unlimited standard national calls and SMS, data gifting, data banking (up to either 500GB or 1000GB depending on your plan) and 5G network access. Select plans also include discounts on a monthly in-store Woolworths grocery shop when your phone account is paired with an Everyday Rewards account.
What’s good about Everyday Mobile:
- 5G included on all postpaid plans and select 30-day and long expiry prepaid plans
- Data banking is available on all plans, even the long-expiry plans
- Saved 10% off an in-store Woolworths shop every month (on select plans) when you link your Everyday Rewards card
Look out for:
- 5G access is limited to select plans and includes speed caps (150Mbps or 250Mbps depending on your plan)
- Long expiry plans don’t include the 10% shopping discount
- You’ll need to add an international call pack on to the long-expiry plans for an additional cost
Pros and cons of Telstra network providers
Choosing to sign up to a Telstra MVNO can have its advantages, but not all providers are created equal. If you’re unsure about whether a Telstra network provider is better for you than signing up to Telstra itself, here are some pros and cons to consider:
Pros
- Plans often have better value for money data inclusions at cheaper prices than Telstra
- Can choose between prepaid or postpaid providers
- Range of features including 5G access, eSIM and data banking offered by many providers
Cons
- Most providers only use the Telstra wholesale network, with slightly less Telstra network coverage
- 5G access is often with capped speeds
- If you want a new smartphone, there are very few telcos to choose from, with TeleChoice and Telstra offering new phones on a plan and Boost Mobile and TeleChoice offering refurbished phones
Telstra mobile plans
Telstra phone plans are available in a wider range of plans than what most other providers offer, including the range of MVNOs using the network.
Telstra postpaid plans
There is a small range of SIM-only month-to-month postpaid plans that, while you pay for them upfront, are billed monthly. All plans include unlimited standard national calls and SMS, along with a set data allowance. There are also no excess data charges (data speeds are capped at 1.5Mbps when you use up your data allowance), while 5G network access has uncapped speeds. Customers with an Upfront SIM-only plan are also eligible for Telstra Plus rewards.
Telstra prepaid plans
Telstra offers two types of prepaid phone plans. Its range of standard prepaid plans are available over a seven-day, 28-day, six-month or 12-month expiry period. You’ll get unlimited standard national calls and SMS, a set data allowance and continuous data rollover up to 200GB. However, some plans will have capped data speeds.
The ‘Casual’ plan has a six-month expiry period with a small amount of inclusions, ideal for customers who need a plan for their phone over a longer period, but with light usage needs.
Telstra mobile phone on a plan
Telstra offers a wide range of new phones including the latest iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones and Google Pixel devices, which can be bundled with a phone plan. You’ll have the choice of a 12, 24 or 36-month device payment period, or you can choose to buy your phone outright. Whichever payment period you choose, you’ll need to add on one of the Upfront plans, and if you choose to cancel your plan before your payment period ends, you’ll need to pay off the remaining device costs.
Telstra mobile plan pros and cons
Pros
- Offers choice between SIM-only ‘Upfront’ plans billed monthly and a range of prepaid plans
- A wide range of smartphones are available to buy bundled on a plan
- Eligible customers can access Telstra Plus rewards
Cons
- Phone plans are comparatively the most expensive on the marketÂ
- Some plans include capped data speeds
- Plan prices increase typically each year
What are the best mobile plans on the Telstra network?
Choosing the best Telstra mobile plans ultimately depends on what you need on a phone plan. If you’re set on a provider with Telstra network coverage but don’t mind going with a smaller brand, then you have a wider range of plans to choose from than just Telstra itself.
Because Telstra owns and operates its own network, it has higher running costs than the smaller providers, so you’ll find Telstra’s phone plans are significantly more expensive. However, you will get access to the full Telstra network, which many of the smaller providers don’t offer (with the exception of Boost Mobile).
Ultimately, you’ll need to consider your mobile plan preferences to help you decide which plan and Telstra network provider is going to offer you the best value for money.
- 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, or will a smaller provider have enough coverage?Â
- Extras and other inclusions: What extra features are going to add value to a plan for you — international calls, good-value global roaming inclusions, rewards points, a new smartphone on a plan, supermarket discounts, etc.
