Mobile - Best Pre-Paid Plans

Hey Ozbargain,

Who are we using these days for pre paid plans? I purchase my phones outright and just use pre paid plans and will continue to do so.

Currently with Boost using the $40 plan.
- Unlimited Calls and TXT in Aus (Zero interest in international calls).
- 5gb per month with 1 gb extra per weekend (up to 9gb total per month), no data banking (accrual of downloads from month to month).
- Telstra network.
- Credit lasts 28 days so your tricked into 13 recharges per year :(
Had to deal with Boosts customer service recently and really not happy with them any more.

Important features 5gb downloads. Unlimited Calls/TXT'x (though honestly I dont call that many people and most messages fall under imessage so are data). Telstra is preferable.

Thanks team!

Comments

  • you want to read this page

  • +1

    Any reason why prepaid over a SIM Plan? If there's credit issues then fair enough, but preference alone should have you rethinking this.

    Virgin Mobile (not the absolute cheapest, but usually the cheapest of the B&M stores):

    $30 12M SIM w20% off = $24/m
    5GB data
    UNLTD Calls + Text in Aus
    Full Optus Coverage

    Your 12M cost is $288 vs current cost of $520

    If a better deal arises on the $30 12M SIM mid-contract then Virgin let you switch over if you wish, without renewing the 12M. Or you can go higher at any point, also without re-contracting.
    If you decide you want a phone on a plan then you can upgrade for free.

    If you decide you want to cancel, then its 25% of the plan cost * months remaining. So, with 6 months left, that's 6*7.5 or $45 cancellation fee, which you haven't really 'paid' since in the 6 months you are on the SIM Plan, you've save $16/m relative to your Boost prepaid, totalling $96.

  • If you want Telstra network your options are limited- Telstra + the eight Telstra MVNO's. You pay a hefty premium for the privilege.

    ALDI Mobile
    Boost Mobile
    C Mobile
    Lycamobile
    Southern Phone
    TeleChoice
    Think Mobile
    Woolworths Mobile
    

    At least it makes searching quicker.

    https://www.canstarblue.com.au/phone-internet/phone/mobile-p…

  • I like my Beyond plan. It is technically post-paid but acts like prepaid.

    $30=5GB, $45=15GB

    You can switch between these whenever you like

    Your data carries over - so I predict I will occasionally switch to $45 then back to $30 if my data gets low

    Data costs half as much as with other post-paid providers - $10/2GB instead of $10/1GB

    You don't get charged for extra data automatically, you can choose to top up if you wish

    If you run out of data you can still use the internet, but shaped!!!! So no need to worry about getting lost and running out of data, you can still access google maps.

    No contract! If you find a better deal with prepaid or postpaid you're free to switch.

    Basically all the benefits of prepaid, plus 1 (shaped data after it runs out), minus 1 (you don't get to shop around for cheap sims with the same provider - I am not sure if you can do sim replacements like you can with Optus or others. I count this as a bit of a blessing actually, it's one less monthly annoyance).

    I was staunchly against postpaid until I signed up for this deal, I didn't like them being able to take my money without my permission. But the disadvantages are mitigated with this deal.

    Edit : oh and you can buy sims at jb hi fi, so you can use any vouchers you've accumulated

    • Do you mean Belong Mobile? I am quite interested in switching. Have you had any issues with them?

      • Oops yes I did mean Belong!.
        Haven't had any problems yet, in fact the coverage is slightly better than Optus (with had no signal in the bathrooms at my work, but Belong (Telstra) does). But I've only been with them a few weeks.

  • Anyone been able to get a Sim card anywhere ?? Like Coles has their signs up but dont sell them it seems?

    • Ooops I mean Belong ☺

  • I was looking at belong. The data allowance is great not to mention telstra network… Gotta look up to see if it says monthly or 28 day

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