Telstra’s post-paid mobile plans now consist of just five options, after the telco completely overhauled its phone and internet offerings. The new plans are all month-to-month with no lock-in and no excess data fees, and are identical aside from the amount of included data.
The streamlined plan structure makes for relatively clear value propositions. The medium $60 plan gets you exactly one gigabyte per dollar, while you get less value for money on the two lower plans. You get much more value for money on the two higher plans, up to 150GB for $100.
Since the previous $49 plan got you 10GB, the new least expensive option arguably isn’t that much extra value with 2GB for $40 (and in any event Telstra says you can only get this plan if you explicitly ask for it). On the other hand the $60 and above plans offer a lot more bang for your buck compared to previous Telstra plans, or current Optus ones.
Each plan gets you unlimited calls and text messages within Australia, as well as unlimited Apple Music streaming and video data from certain Telstra partners, and you can switch to a different Telstra plan once per month. You also get free access to Telstra’s 5G network, if you have a compatible device and are in the coverage area, until June 30 2020. If you exceed your monthly data allowance your network speeds will be slowed to a crawl.
Keeping it simple
Telstra has slimmed down its post-paid plan options in a bid to retain its existing customers and lure new ones. Here’s the new lineup:
Small: 15GB data for $50 a month.
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Medium: 60GB data for $60 a month.
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Large: 100GB data for $80 a month.
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Extra Large: 150GB data for $100 a month.
Since the previous $49 plan got you 10GB, the new least expensive option arguably isn’t that much extra value with 2GB for $40 (and in any event Telstra says you can only get this plan if you explicitly ask for it). On the other hand the $60 and above plans offer a lot more bang for your buck compared to previous Telstra plans, or current Optus ones.
Each plan gets you unlimited calls and text messages within Australia, as well as unlimited Apple Music streaming and video data from certain Telstra partners, and you can switch to a different Telstra plan once per month. You also get free access to Telstra’s 5G network, if you have a compatible device and are in the coverage area, until June 30 2020. If you exceed your monthly data allowance your network speeds will be slowed to a crawl.
There are, of course, added extras you can sprinkle on top. For an additional $10 per month you get unlimited international calls and texts from Australia, and from July next year you’ll need to pay $15 per month for 5G access.
If you’d like a new phone with your mobile plan you can pay it off over 24 or 36 months, with prices differing between phones. For example over 36 months a Samsung Galaxy S10 5G 256GB is $56 per month, an iPhone XS 64GB is $45.33 per month, and a Pixel 3 64GB is $32 per month.
Since these prices add on to any of the six standard plans, it should be simple to work out which phone and data allowance can fit in your monthly budget. While there are no early termination fees if you decide to leave Telstra before the 24 or 36 months are up, you do have to pay for the remainder of the phone. Telstra no longer offers “leasing” plans.
Outside of post-paid mobile, Telstra has new plans for mobile data only SIMs, eSIMs, home phone and broadband. As with the mobile plans, these are structured so that you choose a tier and then have the option to pay off a new device (such as a tablet) over 24 or 36 months.
To see the full inclusions for each plan, click on our interactive table below:
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