OzBargainer Choice of Mobile Service Provider

spacebanana on 27/11/2014 - 11:51

Now that Vaya or LC no longer represent great value, and tbh I just don't really like Vaya any more after increasing the price before my 24 months was up, Who does everyone use for their mobile provider?

I was on the Vaya 17 Power plan which I was super happy with but now its 27 which I have continued to pay.
But now I am thinking of getting a 4G phone and would like to move away from Vaya.

perhaps SpinTel? amaysim?

I am looking for something around $30~ mark with unlimited text, 2-3GB of 4g data (4G non-essential) and a decent amount of calls, if anyone has any ideas.

I feel like most ozbargainers used vaya or LC, so now I am interested just to see who everyone uses :)

Mobile

Comments

  • IdBuyThat4aDollar on 28/11/2014 - 20:52
    +1

    Telechoice $20 kogan offer.

    No complaints

  • No on 28/11/2014 - 22:37
    +1

    I need a data only plan / prepaid for my car. When my vodafone runs out I'm going to go with these guys:

    https://www.globalgig.com/au/en/plans

    $9 per month for 1GB. Does anyone know of a better plan for about this much data?

    • yokumoku on 30/11/2014 - 09:04
      +3

      What about lycamobile 2gb for $10 per month?

      • No on 30/11/2014 - 10:31

        Perfect thanks! I take it I can do the data pack without having credit for calls etc on there?

        • yokumoku on 30/11/2014 - 10:55

          Yes i reckon, but internet teethering/ data sharing won't work with lyca.

        • No on 30/11/2014 - 11:00

          @yokumoku: So I couldn't put the sim in a 3g wifi modem?

        • yokumoku on 01/12/2014 - 07:57

          @daveaus: Sadly no..

        • bigticket on 01/12/2014 - 13:05

          @daveaus:
          I had success with the sim working in an old Huawei E220 modem that has to be tethered by cable. That modem only works on 2100mHz though.
          On the other hand it didn't work on the 'Vodafone pocket wifi.

        • No on 01/12/2014 - 13:18

          @bigticket: I have the MF70 which is the USB / wifi stick. Do you think it would work? Only costs $10 to try I guess.

        • bigticket on 02/12/2014 - 00:50

          @daveaus: Sorry I don't know if it will work or not. I can only tell you what actually worked for me.
          Also note that data is really slow as I believe its all routed through the UK. I would not recommend it if you are expected good data speeds.

  • pheasant_plucker on 28/11/2014 - 23:47
    +2

    Boost. $40 pm for unlimited calls/texts and 1.5 gig on 4G (with sim trick)

    • ozash on 29/11/2014 - 00:13
      +1

      What is the sim trick?

      • matt_will_fix_it on 29/11/2014 - 22:30
        +3

        Boost is supposed to be 3g only. However I think the trick is if you go into a Telstra shop and get a new SIM issued (just say your old one broke), you'll be on Boost with 4g.

        • pheasant_plucker on 30/11/2014 - 12:02

          Doesn't even have to be a case of saying your sim broke. Just say your new phone utilises (insert required sim size) but your old phone used a different size sim. Either that or go to a JB hi fi and be straight up blunt about it and just say 'I need a blank Telstra sim'.

          Do the changeover online through Boost and bam it's done.

        • Chef-Johnson on 30/11/2014 - 16:03

          and they will have no dramas sorting it out for me? what an awesome idea this is

        • pheasant_plucker on 06/12/2014 - 23:43

          @Chef-Johnson:

          Correct weight. Did it as recent as last week for my wife's phone when she got her new device. Good luck!

    • Super8Tab on 04/12/2014 - 00:13

      Can I do this with lycamobile sim to get 4G as well ?

  • [Deactivated] on 29/11/2014 - 09:07

    The problem with these third party users is that they will have a fair use policy limiting your data use per day and for users such as myself that limit could be easily achieved as i need a mobile connection for workdo a lot of research and work.

    I'm with optus but pay a fair bit but I am not limited on how much I can burn through.

    • SirFlibbled on 30/11/2014 - 09:15

      These plans aren't designed for you though. These are for the average non-business user.

      • [Deactivated] on 30/11/2014 - 22:24

        But still like those on kogan they got disconnected with minimal notice for using I belive it was 200 to300 mb not sure if it was day or week.
        anyway third party service providers are not for all but you just have to make sure its right for you regardless.

        one thing I have noticed a lot lately is that prepaid is getting a lot of rewards like funny money and roll overs plus data for a cheap price, I know the call rates are high but yehmight be worth looking into as well.

  • Diji1 on 29/11/2014 - 09:50
    +1

    So first up I hate telcos as a general life principle. :|

    For me the network performance of Optus and Vodafone is just too bad so I won't use them. Which of course leaves me to be ****** by Telstra. So it's Telstra and Boost all the way and constantly looking for and stocking up on starter sim special baby.

    Did I tell you I hate telcos?

  • Food on 29/11/2014 - 17:28

    Telstra simplicity

    • Azn310 on 29/11/2014 - 20:50

      Telstra simplicity + budget = aldi mobile, at least for now before they get cut off like kogan.

      I found aldi suits me well. I spend $10 a month on one cheap phone to call and $15 for 3 months (or more) for 3G on smart phone (thats how i use phones at the moment). So works out $15 a month or less, using Telstra call and data network. Sweet.

      • srhardy on 04/12/2014 - 08:00

        Or get 4G and do a LONG LIFE recharge and then just swap to SIMPLICITY & you get the 12 month credit but use at the MUCH LOWER RATE of simplicity

        You can use your recharge credit to buy googleplay apps and bonus packs (like talk or data) and you get data at 4G rates, cant do that with aldi

  • yokumoku on 29/11/2014 - 17:57
    +2

    Spintel flexi for me.

  • [Deactivated] on 29/11/2014 - 19:36
    +6

    I'm with Vaya. Their customer service is the WORST OF THE WORST.

    • [Deactivated] on 01/12/2014 - 17:46
      +1

      ..but price wise, it's ok, as long as you can deal with their frustrating call centres.

      Seriously, I did not get the 'frustrating' call centre stereotype, until these guys.

      Vaya is cheap, yes, but I have difficulty recommending them to others, based on their service.

  • gregorian on 29/11/2014 - 19:51

    Agree, I moved from Live Connected and my partner from Vaya to Optus. I had been charged $200 by Live Connected over the usage of excess data and I had to send 18 emails to discuss over this going in circles. In the end I had to take them to TIO and they accepted their mistake of not following the guidelines of notifying data usage at 80% and 100%. The rep on TIO team acknowledged and that made LC refund. Optus on the other hand have been great and helpful and under the similar circumstance they would just charge $10 for 1GB automatically.

  • Thenarrator on 29/11/2014 - 20:55
    +1

    I use vaya $17 a month, 650credit, 1.5gb

  • Kevan2 on 29/11/2014 - 21:18

    For what it is worth I use Westnet, and on heritage plan and never to leave it. However the latest offerings are worth looking at. The carrier is yes optus. Some dead zones but may just be my 2g old Samsung boost not unlocked but working? My daughter has Samsung 2 or 3 and has not an issue apart from parts of West Australia and even top of range lumina had same issue. So in Melbourne should do well and look to see whom the group is. Luck on the package and I would not have locked in plan with technology running the way it is.

  • Marrk on 29/11/2014 - 21:46

    Telstra Encore $50 recharge. You can get up to 3.8GB of data with plus packs when necessary, and can also spend the $50 credit (not cap credit) on Google Play, Google All Access Music, MOG etc.

    There is also the fact that Telstra offers the best coverage across Australia, as well as the most 4G towers.

    • Chef-Johnson on 30/11/2014 - 16:05

      I wonder if you could release a track or ebook and charge it at $49 and buy it from yourself every month?

      • Marrk on 01/12/2014 - 00:06
        +2

        Each transaction cannot exceed $20, though you could do multiple transactions. This has crossed my mind, can't see any reason why not.

        • Chef-Johnson on 01/12/2014 - 09:49

          haha yeah give it a crack

    • srhardy on 30/11/2014 - 18:29

      why do people post caps that you cant get anymore!!!???!!!

  • [Deactivated] on 29/11/2014 - 22:21
    +2

    I'm on a legacy Woolworths/Optus deal. $25 per 45 days, 5gb data and $500 worth of calls, 250 + 250

  • fritz and sauce on 29/11/2014 - 22:39

    If you dont use your phone much, Amayson Pay AS YOU GO if nearly free. You get a bill each month, but if you dont spend much, they dont send it and add it on to the next one.

  • scrimshaw on 29/11/2014 - 22:44

    Old plan — Live Connected $19.90 a month

    1.5GB data
    $650 of calls

  • [Deactivated] on 29/11/2014 - 23:00
    +1

    I use lots of data with almost no texting and several short calls a month.

    Currently use the old tpg with 500++ network cap and 1gb for 17 dollars.

    I almost never use my network cap and would be very comfortable with 1.5gb of data (sometimes 1gb is just a bit too little).

    Would love any recommendations for higher data less network cap, same price. I doubt it though.

    • yokumoku on 30/11/2014 - 10:59

      lycamobile prepaid with 2gb per month data for $10? but no teethering and coverage issues.

      • Franconian on 30/11/2014 - 13:39

        Coverage issues? I thought they are using the Telstar network?

      • srhardy on 30/11/2014 - 18:29
        +1

        how can they stop or monitor tethering for crying out loud?

        • spacebanana on 01/12/2014 - 11:27

          It must come up on their system when you tether, Vaya turns tethering off automatically, and it just disappeared off my phone. But when I called them they can reactivate

        • ESEMCE on 01/12/2014 - 12:14

          @camoqs:
          Presumably on iPhone, cause this definitely doesn't happen on Android.
          Yet another one of those awesome features iOS has I guess…

        • spacebanana on 01/12/2014 - 14:52

          @scubacoles:
          Yep the trust old iPhone, wouldnt have it any other way!

  • ironplus on 30/11/2014 - 04:09

    Vaya $18, me and mum. Easy, 4g almost everywhere I go nowadays. No complaints so far…. Oh except when you try to use your iphone as a wifi hotspot then you might get a headache.

  • Kikkoman56 on 30/11/2014 - 10:27

    I have a dual Sim phone so I have a yatango Sim for data and get 1gb / month for $11. Since I rarely text and call I went with aldi PAYG for those services. Especially since I still have a ton of free online texts available from the SMSGlobal freebie posted here ages ago and they even have an android app.

  • Alan Laz on 30/11/2014 - 11:33

    We use Lebara $29.99 National unlimited calls plan, data used in 1MB chunks and the Voda network still sucks in the Melbourne city centre. For the kids or the suburbs it's a great unlimited plan.

  • demiurge on 30/11/2014 - 15:08
    +2

    Buy some telstra $30 starter kits for $15, then activate for long life and switch to simplicity. This will usually last me 2 months. Then port to Amaysim for $5 with referral from my mother's account. This gives $10 bonus for both me and her, conveniently extending her credits for another 3 months. When Amaysim runs out port to telstra again with a starter kit.

    • srhardy on 30/11/2014 - 18:31
      +5

      thats a LOT of hard work but i admire your OZBARGIN spirit!

    • superm86 on 02/12/2014 - 13:22

      So can you go back to Amaysim after that? and get the referral again?

      • demiurge on 05/12/2014 - 07:45

        yes, just keep cycling.

  • infinite on 30/11/2014 - 15:08
    +3

    I'd recommended JeeNee Mobile, personally.

    Their one of the best value providers out there, you get 3G/4G data speeds (what ever you can get from your nearest tower) as part of the basic service, their on the Optus network & their customer service is all based here in Australia - no foreign call center garbage to deal with. They have one of the lowest flagfall charges and fee-per-minute cost on both mobile & lan lines, and unlike most other providers the texts to international numbers are not charged additionally - they are part of the unlimited texts. They also do the right thing in regards to data billing, where by they charge per KB of use, not just assign you a MB every time you connect & charge like a wounded bull from there on. No contracts at all with them & it's a one-off $10 setup fee which includes your sim card express posted out via courier.

    $25pm plan = $500 calls (calls to Optus network free), Unlimited text & 1.5gig data
    $35pm plan = $650 calls (calls to Optus network free), Unlimited text, 3gig data

  • srhardy on 30/11/2014 - 18:34
    +1

    IF your a consession card holder & OPTUS coverage is adequate then checkout BETTERLIFE

    https://www.betterlife.org.au/mobile-plans

    $33 UNLIMITED + 3gb
    $44 UNLIMITED + 6gb
    $55 UNLIMITED + 9gb

  • ihfree on 30/11/2014 - 20:05

    Using Boost $40 plan. Found the network performance to be the best of the networks (compared to a tablet on Optus a few months ago/partner's phone on Vodafone).

    Use about 2gb each month data. Doubt I make use of the unlimited calls/sms. Will reevaluate after I run out of recharge coupons. Currently find 3g sufficient, although have been tempted to upgrade to a 4G phone/plan.

  • CVonC on 30/11/2014 - 22:01

    any sims that include international calls in the cap besides TPG?

  • Ahan on 01/12/2014 - 09:00

    I am with Telstra staff plan minimum $10 a month. I got it from iPhone 5 deal. I think it's no longer available but if it comes out again I suggest everyone consider getting one.

    Best network. Fastest widest coverage,24/7 service.
    For only $10, I get unlimited calls on the same bill two mobiles, both on this plan and a landline.
    1 gb data. Not great but can be added on. So every time when I am about to finish quota. I just add a $5 data pack which is charged daily on pro rata basis ($5/30). When the month end I just cancel the data pack.

    We use one Skype account for all our phone usage.

    If u r happy to pay full amount $39, u get $400 worth of credit which can also be applied against data usage.

    We also got two cheap iPhones from that deal.

    • PVA on 01/12/2014 - 18:43

      There hasnt been iphones on the $39 staff cap for years, not even when iphone 4 was new. and it isnt unlimited calls, nor a landline is included.
      exaggerating a little here.

      • Ahan on 01/12/2014 - 20:10

        Incorrect.

        Original deal was removed. This is the forum discussion thread: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/133972

        For as little as $10+$10, you get a iPhone 5 16GB. I got a 32GB instead for which I pay $15 a month.

        My bad, didn't explain things properly. Unlimited calls only apply to mobile/land numbers on the same bill (family members).

        • PVA on 01/12/2014 - 20:51

          ah, I do remember now. the iphone 5 was offered as it wasnt for sale anymore (old model) so was flogged off to staff. Forgot about that as I didnt think it was a great deal for $10 compared to all the new phones.

        • Ahan on 01/12/2014 - 21:03

          @PVA:
          It's great for people who don't have access to staff plans :)

  • [Deactivated] on 01/12/2014 - 09:04

    Telstra, but for the single reason that anything else in regional areas is still a waste of time.

  • Talonparty on 01/12/2014 - 14:14
    +1

    I'm on the amaysim flexi plan.

    I stick with amaysim because they price their calls in cents which relates directly to the amount of money you pay.

    None of this '50 for 1000 of calls' crap. So frustrating that that's still a thing.

  • inherentchoice on 01/12/2014 - 16:48
    +1

    Very surprised no one has mentioned pennysim from pennytel. Their go global plan works out to about $12 a month for me. 1gb data is included. Byo phone of course.

  • watson4884 on 01/12/2014 - 18:28
    +2

    I'm using lycamobile
    $29.9~ mark with unlimited text and calls, 2GB of 3g data
    telstra network
    recharge online and get 10% extra………
    quite happy with that

  • Cheeper on 01/12/2014 - 18:38

    Amaysim..
    Don't use the phone much so use Amaysim as you go plan… have to make one 12c phone call every 3 mths so around 50c per yr to have a live # for incoming.
    No thieving flag fall rates either when you do make calls, you just pay for the time the call takes at 12c min.
    If you want data just 5c mb as you go rate or just slap on a one off data pack @ 1g/$10.

  • econzune on 01/12/2014 - 20:46

    Dual Sim phone with Aldi 365 long expiry Sim on Telstra (I hardly ever make calls, but I have a feeling that Aldi does not get full network access, sometimes no reception where data Sim does) and Globalgig 1GB data Sim for 9 bucks a month (Viber a lot). Data is even counting in US and UK, and cheap data rates globally.

    • kev98 on 02/12/2014 - 00:29

      Aldi only has access to Telstra's wholesale network which is not 100% of the full network

  • Jrimbo on 02/12/2014 - 13:07

    I am on Yatango, no complaint at all.

  • BoomTetrisForJeff on 02/12/2014 - 18:06

    Vaya 18 is incredible value been on it for the past 6 months since tpg deciced to up their prices and reduce the value

  • ChatCPT on 02/12/2014 - 18:21

    TPG $16/month x whole family

    $600 cap 1GB

  • tohara on 02/12/2014 - 20:44

    I signed up to Amaysin a month ago from Vodafone. I now pay $45 a month for unlimited call and text and 5gb of data on the optus 3G network. I was paying $85 a month for $500 talk and text and 4gb of data on their shitty 4g network. I am a heavy data user. I had been with vodafone for years and didn't change because i though it was all too hard, I don't remember a time where there wasn't something wrong with my service or the network.

    Since going to amaysin i have no complaints, the process was super easy i have the same number and pay half the cost of vodafone for more. Only minor downsides are 3g network only and they don't have visual voicemail for the iphone which is shit.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/12/2014 - 00:30

    I'm still on the TPG $1 PAYG plan :D

  • BargainCowboy on 03/12/2014 - 11:41
    +3

    This should be a poll.

    • spacebanana on 03/12/2014 - 16:16

      ahhhh it totally should have been! dammit!

  • veritas_mendax on 03/12/2014 - 13:53
    +1

    I am on Telstra.

    Before clicking on that '-' button, here me out!

    I was able to take advantage of the 'Valued Customer Bonus' which I found out about on Whirlpool, so essentially I am getting the $95 'L' plan for $75. The phone component costs me $3 a month extra (iPhone 6 128GB), so total $78 a month

    Over 24 months I'll pay (24 x $78) = $1872. If I were to buy the phone outright - let's say from Kogan - it would cost me $1079. Subtracting this from the total over 24 months: $1872-$1079 = $793. To work out how much I pay for my mobile plan - divide by 24 months: $793/24 = $33.04 a month.

    This gives me
    * 3.5GB data (normally 2.5GB but there was a special promotion for 1GB extra a month for the term of your contract)
    * $950 worth of calls
    * unlimited calls on weekends
    * unlimited calls between 7pm and 7am everyday
    * unlimited SMS
    * Telstra 4G mobile network

    Mind you, I was on an existing contract which had just expired - I don't think you can get the Valued Customer Bonus unless you were an existing customer.

    • birdmaster on 03/12/2014 - 16:28

      Sadly Telstra Probably start doing this now as too many customers started leaving them because of Very rude staff at the most of the Shops at Westfield and the customer service who were not willing to give any extra bit to customers to make them happy, i personally had 2 contract plans and just kicked Telstra out of my life because 1st Too expensive 2nd Too Rude Customer service not willing to help or hear customer out.

      Yes I agree they are prime service but end of the day customer looks at whats in the pocket and what i am getting is worth paying in this scenario Telstra is not the choice for most at least as an ozbargainer.

    • srhardy on 04/12/2014 - 08:19
      +1

      You can get this with amway caps, as they are just T$ caps -25% too
      http://www.telstra.com.au/amway/mobile-plans/index.htm?switc…

      Just sign up for free first as a VIP or join as an IBO and make some money with your IBO
      http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2003042

      • veritas_mendax on 04/12/2014 - 09:54

        Nice, I hadn't heard of this. Good heads up for anyone looking at Tel$tra

  • kati on 03/12/2014 - 13:56
    +1

    I'm very happy on Vaya $7 per month but sadly my time will probably be up within the next 2 months.

    I did note that they have a promo at the moment if anyone is thinking of joining them.
    https://www.facebook.com/Vaya.Australia/photos/a.13976440611…

  • doubleclutching on 03/12/2014 - 17:00
    +1

    +1 for Telechoice, I've been with them for about 12 months and have had 0 issues. I was with Vaya before that and they had the worst customer service ever.

  • tanksinatra on 03/12/2014 - 23:35
    +1

    Spintel. Unlimited calls. 2.5GB 4G data. KB billing. $31/month. No contract.

    • Aussie89 on 07/12/2014 - 22:52
      • just ported over to Spintel from Vaya.
        The thing I really like about Spintel is you can just put yourself on their lowest plan and they will automatically bump you up to the next level once you use up the amount of data/calls/text for that level.
        You can then keep resetting it back every month too. That way you only pay for what you use whereas on some providers you pay for 3GB but some months you may only use 500mb..
      • Super8Tab on 12/12/2014 - 15:38

        what network does spintel use ?

        • Aussie89 on 12/12/2014 - 23:54

          They use Optus 4G

  • Nero on 04/12/2014 - 03:45

    Jeenee mobile
    $35 a month no contract, Unlimited calls and text within Australia. 3GB by the KB. I'm in it for the data.

  • Reverse Snorkel on 04/12/2014 - 08:11

    Virgin Mobile is pretty average. They use Optus network. Even on my new phone reception is average.

  • MagicTsukai on 05/12/2014 - 13:29

    old live connected plan.

    was 11$
    for 650$ credit and 1.5gib data

    now 20$ for it grandfathered.

    • srhardy on 08/12/2014 - 09:34

      my dads VAYA $11 cap has remained unchanged although i did recall an email from them but nothings changed and he is lucky to use more than $20-50 a month in talk and 0 data, so guess he was overlooked - lucky sod!

  • Super8Tab on 12/12/2014 - 15:37

    Had the old woolworths plan $26 for some call credit and 5 gb for 45 days, switched to lycamobile as optus 3g speed is disgrasful where I live.

    Lycamobile prepaid supersave $29.90 unlimited calls and txt and 2 gb of data and SUPERFAST telstra network>

    got about 20 mbbs download speed when tested almost on par with my broadband.

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