A guide to choosing the right phone plan
Mobiles have become an essential part of our lives, with our device doubling as a calendar, bank card, email, notepad, camera, newspaper, personal trainer… you name it. So, when it comes to selecting the right plan to power your phone, the pressure is on.
From data to coverage, there’s a lot to consider – but the iiNet team are here to help. We’ve compiled a list of key things to consider when choosing your next mobile phone plan.
What kind of user are you?
Before starting the hunt for a new phone plan, take time to understand your mobile habits and figure out the minimum amount of data and call allowance you need. Key questions to ask include: where will you be calling – within Australia or international? How much are you willing to spend per month? How much data do you need?
The Basics
1. Type of phone plan
The first question to ask in the great phone-plan search is this: SIM Only or handset included? The difference between the two is that on a handset included plan will include an extra amount for buying or leasing a phone, whereas on a SIM Only plan you BYO mobile and only pay for the monthly cost of data, calls, and text.
The better option for you comes down to, well, you. If you’re happy with your current handset or don’t like to be locked into contracts – opt for a SIM Only Plan. Alternatively, if you are someone who likes to have the latest tech, a handset included plan may be the most cost-effective way to do so.
2. Data
Data is the primary concern for many of us when signing up to a new plan. Unsurprisingly, video streaming uses the most data, followed by social media and music streaming, so if you find yourself using your phone for many of those activities, a plan with 40GB or more would be your best bet.
On the other hand, if you keep data usage to a minimum, choose a plan with a lower monthly gigabyte (GB) limit. You’ll find that an 8GB plan covers most web browsing, and instant messaging – especially if you are connected to WiFi most of the time.
3. Calls and Text
Good news: all iiNet SIM only plans come with unlimited talk and text to standard Australian numbers. Need to contact family or friends overseas? An Extra Large SIM Only plan will give you 100 monthly minutes for international calls (excluding selected countries*).
3. Coverage
iiNet mobile plans operate through Vodafone’s nation-wide network, which now covers over 23 million Australians. You can check if you’re covered here.
NEW Mobile Plans from iiNet.
Our new range of four mobile plans covers everyone from light users to the data-hungry. See them here.
*Excluding calls to Afghanistan, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Guinea, Iran, Liberia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tonga, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
23 comments
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I have a VIVO mobile iinet993da9 wifi Was in touch if you could give my phone a connection to the number that came with a sim card. It could not be done at the time even while the simcard my son put in was from the provider you were using at the time
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Already on a $10 Plan, not always used in the month. Is there anything better, just keep
A mobile in case of emergency. On a Pension
A WASTED TEN DOLLARS OFTEN?
THANK yo -
Since I communicate with only a hundred or so individuals, coverage of x million is irrelevant. Of greater concern to me is what percentage of the country is covered – since map coverage, navigation, and operation in rural areas are a major concern to me.
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I just use my phone to chat and sms in Australia, but I occasionally sms to canada. What is the best plan for me?
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when will you provide esims or dual sims for wearable devices?
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I am with Shirley Garrett on this. $10 per month is enough for a small amount of usage.
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Hey Leo, I refer to your answer to Judy. Are you sure sms text to overseas is available? and charged at 50c per message? I could do this previously when iiNet used Optus, but since the change to Vodaphone, I cannot send?
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I have my own phone and Internet at home.
I want data only for when i’m not home, My phone can take TWO sim cards . what prices have you for basic data. I am a iinet(Adam) customer
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I’m looking at data for mum ,she is 90 years of age and wanting to put Netflix on , she is on a pension and I think it would be great for her she with the colder mths Coming, what is the cheapest price for her
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Does iiNet have the equivalent of Telstra’s global roaming package ($5 a day in NZ, $10 for the rest of the world) for using the phone overseas?
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Sorry but Vodafone country coverage is not that great. I often only have 3G coverage at times
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When you switched to Vodaphone, my mobile stopped getting reception in my house in Lilyfield Sydney. Fine outside, in the car, in other homes. Not my home. I’m wasting my money.
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Since we received Vodafone sims, the coverage has been extremely poor (2 bars at most). Is Canberra in a glitch area for vodaphone coverage? Tradesmen and visiting friends find the internet coverage very slow and despite being on an unlimited data plan, the Apple TV drops out frequently. Why Vodafone? iiNet was fine.
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Just travelled throughout central Qld and vodaphone coverage is shocking or should I say no exiting, will be changing our service to another provider.
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Since our IINET mobile phone carrier changed to Vodaphone the coverage especially in our home has been appalling. IINET wake up!!!!
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I received my invoice and receipt for my mobile phone plan but I can’t find the list of the numbers I have called,
can you please help.
I’m on the small plan
Thankyou