Telstra's mobile plans just got more expensive - how do they compare?

Telstra's latest price increase is now in effect, with prices going up between $2 and $4 per month on its mainline Upfront plans. Data allowances haven't increased with prices, but Telstra's entry-level Upfront plan is now potentially faster.

Here's the new range of Upfront plans:

$74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan

50GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get $10 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Basic Mobile Plan with code PROMO. New services only. Ends 02.11.26

$64.00/mth

Min. cost $64

Link not supplied

$64.00/mth

Min. cost $64

Link not supplied

$84 Essential Upfront SIM Plan

180GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices

$84.00/mth

Min. cost $84

Link not supplied

$84.00/mth

Min. cost $84

Link not supplied

$99 Premium Upfront SIM Plan

300GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices

$99.00/mth

Min. cost $99

Link not supplied

$99.00/mth

Min. cost $99

Link not supplied

These mobile plans can also be paired with a new phone.

Telstra's most affordable "Basic" plan was previously $62 per month and capped to speeds of 250Mbps. It's now $65 per month, with no speed cap. This means you can achieve download speeds as fast as network conditions allow. In our testing, we've seen these hit close to 1Gbps in some 5G areas.

Changes on other Telstra Upfront plans are much smaller. The $72 per month "Essential" plan with 180GB is now $75 per month. The $95 per month "Premium" plan with 300GB is $99 month. Customers with a bundle plan will now pay $52 per month, up from $50 per month.

This pricing kicks in from today for new customers. Existing Telstra customers will pay the new price from their first bill issued today. All Telstra Upfront plans are contract-free, and you can change your plan month-to-month, even if you're paying off a new phone.

Just note that if you're paying off a phone and want to leave Telstra, you'll need to pay out the remaining value of your phone in one lump sum to do so.

So with that in mind, how do Telstra's new plans compare?

While Optus and Vodafone have also put up prices this year, Telstra is unsurprisingly still the most expensive option:

$60 Optus Choice Plus Plan

100GB data
Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device
Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply.

$39.00/mth

Min. cost $39

Go to Site

$39.00/mth

Min. cost $39

Go to Site

$58 Small SIM Only Plan

65GB data
Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Includes $13/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply.

$45.00/mth

Min. cost $45

Link not supplied

$45.00/mth

Min. cost $45

Link not supplied

$74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan

50GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Get $10 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Basic Mobile Plan with code PROMO. New services only. Ends 02.11.26

$64.00/mth

Min. cost $64

Link not supplied

$64.00/mth

Min. cost $64

Link not supplied

Looking at entry-level plans, all three providers have a 50GB option as a starting point. Vodafone charges $49 per month, while Optus charges $52 per month. In both cases, that's significantly cheaper than Telstra's $65 per month option.

The playing field stays much the same when you step up in price:

$68 Medium SIM Only Plan

220GB data
Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices
Deal: Includes $18/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply.

$50.00/mth

Min. cost $50

Link not supplied

$50.00/mth

Min. cost $50

Link not supplied

$69 Optus Promo Plan

360GB data
Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device
Deal: Get up to $10/mth SubHub credit to use on your favourite subscriptions for 12 months. T&Cs apply.

$69.00/mth

Min. cost $69

Go to Site

$69.00/mth

Min. cost $69

Go to Site

$84 Essential Upfront SIM Plan

180GB data
Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices

$84.00/mth

Min. cost $84

Link not supplied

$84.00/mth

Min. cost $84

Link not supplied

All three telcos also have 180GB plans, and we see the same kind of price disparity continue. Vodafone is the cheapest at $59 per month, Optus follows at $62 per month, and Telstra sits at the top at $75 per month.

If you compare Big T to Telstra MVNOs, you have plenty of cheaper options. Here's how Telstra's cheapest Upfront plan compares to postpaid plans with at least 40GB:

#1	Belong	Belong 25GB Mobile Plan 85GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Includes 60GB monthly bonus data for first 12 months when you activate your new service by 04.11.26. T&Cs apply. $34.00/mth Min. cost $34 Link not supplied	$34.00/mth Min. cost $34	Link not supplied
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 50GB 5G Mobile SIM 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $18/mth for 4 months then $36/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $36.00/mth Min. cost $18 Go to Site	$36.00/mth Min. cost $18	Go to Site
#3	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile $40 SIM Only 70GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: Get 10% off an eligible Woolworths shop in store every month when you link your Everyday Rewards card. T&Cs apply $40.00/mth Min. cost $40 Link not supplied	$40.00/mth Min. cost $40	Link not supplied
#4	More	More 50GB 5G Mobile SIM 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses Telstra Wholesale 4G/5G mobile networks Deal: Get $10/mth off new mobile plans for 36mths, then $4/mth ongoing when you sign up with a CommBank debit or credit card. Ends 31.3.27 $40.00/mth Min. cost $40 Link not supplied	$40.00/mth Min. cost $40	Link not supplied
#5	Telstra	Telstra $74 Basic Upfront SIM Plan 50GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get $10 off for first 12 months on new Upfront Basic Mobile Plan with code PROMO. New services only. Ends 02.11.26 $64.00/mth Min. cost $64 Link not supplied	$64.00/mth Min. cost $64	Link not supplied

Telstra's budget brand Belong is one of your best bets right now thanks to a double data deal. $35 per month will get you 60GB for your first year, after which you'll drop down to 40GB. This offer ends today, however.

Telstra will increase the price of its prepaid mobile plans on October 22.

Looking for a new mobile plan?

These are the most popular SIM-only mobile plans with WhistleOut users this week:

#1	SpinTel	SpinTel $23 Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT WhistleOut Special: Enjoy $11 off for the first 6 months for new customers - $12/mth for first 6 months, then $23/mth $12.00/mth Min. cost $12 Go to Site	$12.00/mth Min. cost $12	Go to Site
#2	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 30GB 5G Mobile SIM 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $15/mth for 4 months then $30/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#3	Optus	Optus $60 Optus Choice Plus Plan 100GB data Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: $39/mth and 100GB/mth for first 12 months, then 60GB/mth and $60/mth or as notified. New services. Ends 12.11.26. Terms apply. $39.00/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39.00/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#4	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $39 Prepaid 60GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 60GB data on first 6 recharges, then 30GB from 7th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 02.11.26 $39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$39.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small - 365 Day Flex Plan 220GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 220GB data for only $149 (incl. $30.90 off + 80GB bonus data) on the Small 365 Day Flex Plan. Offer ends 18.10.26 $149.00 Per 365 Day Renewal Go to Site	$149.00 Per 365 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Moose Mobile	Moose Mobile Moose 23 SIM Only 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 30GB for $14 – Includes $9 off for first 6 months, then reverts to $23. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#7	Dodo	Dodo Medium Mobile Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device Deal: 50% off for first 4 mths! Get the Medium Mobile Plan for $15/mth for first 4 mths. New and returning mobile customers only. Ends 27.10 $30.00/mth Min. cost $15 Go to Site	$30.00/mth Min. cost $15	Go to Site
#8	Swoop	Swoop 30GB SIM Only 5G 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $11 off for first 6 months - $14/mth for first 6 months then $25/mth after that. Offer ends 30.06.27 $14.00/mth Min. cost $14 Go to Site	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Go to Site
#9	amaysim	amaysim UNLIMITED 240GB Long Expiry 240GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Get 240GB for $199 (includes $121 off) on first renewal. Offer ends 31.10.26. New online services only. T&Cs apply. $199.00 Per 365 Day Renewal Go to Site	$199.00 Per 365 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#10	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Saver 5G Plan 15GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: FREE 2nd recharge for existing Superloop broadband customers or new customers signing up for a mobile & broadband service $30.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

Alex Choros

Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor | X | Instagram | Threads | LinkedIn

Alex Choros is the Managing Editor of WhistleOut Australia and an award-winning journalist. He's been writing about consumer technology for over a decade and is an expert on the Australian telco sector, to the point where he knows far too many phone and internet plans by heart. In addition to leading the WhistleOut editorial team, Alex is responsible for ruining the office Sonos with his troubled taste in music.

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