Vodafone mobile and 5G coverage: How it compares?

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 23 May 2025

Contents

In this guide:

Vodafone mobile network coverage
What about Vodafone MVNOs?
What you need to know about Vodafone 5G

When you’re choosing a mobile phone plan, coverage is an important factor. No one wants to pay for a nice new phone and plan, only to receive dodgy reception.

In Australia, Vodafone used to be a bit of an underdog, but its coverage has greatly expanded this year. Vodafone's network now reaches 98.4% of the population thanks to a network sharing deal with Optus. That's just 0.1% less than Optus itself.

Before we jump into exactly where Vodafone's coverage reaches and how it compares, here are the most popular SIM-only and prepaid plans available on the Vodafone network, including Vodafone's own for comparison:

#1	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#3	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 11.10.26 $149.00 Per 365 Day Renewal Go to Site	$149.00 Per 365 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	Vodafone	Vodafone $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 Go to Site	$45.00/mth Min. cost $45	Go to Site
#5	iiNet	iiNet 100GB Large Plan 100GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $22.50/mth for first 6 months, then $45/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $25 SIM Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

Vodafone mobile network coverage

By using WhistleOut's interactive coverage checker tool, you can also compare 4G and 5G around Australia from the Big Three telcos all at once. This helps you make a more informed decision about which mobile network you should choose. Simply tick the box of the type of connection you want to see.

The map will show you what kind of coverage you have in your area. 5G coverage is highlighted using the darkest shade of purple, but unticking 4G can help make it clearer. Then select which provider you want to check out by selecting it from the drop-down menu below the map.

Click to Activate Interactive Map

Coverage information is collected from carriers and other third party sources. This is approximate coverage only and does not include indoor coverage. Actual speed and performance depends on your location and device. Local conditions and things like natural and artificial physical features of an area all affect your reception. Coverage © Mosaik

How mobile network coverage maps work

Keep in mind that mobile network coverage works off population, it doesn't consider the actual geographic coverage. While population coverage is essential, this does, however, mean there are parts of Australia that the Vodafone network can't reach.

Coverage maps are only approximate, only show outdoor coverage, and may be impacted by local conditions such as buildings.

As aforementioned, Vodafone's mobile network now reaches 98.4% of the population. For comparison, Optus' reaches 98.5%, and Telstra 99.7%. While Vodafone is the smallest network, it is now just a marginal difference.

It is worth noting that while Telstra is the biggest network, its 99.7% coverage figure factors in the use of specialised devices like external antennas and range extenders. Without these, the actual coverage customers can access is a bit smaller.

What about Vodafone MVNOs?

So you’ve checked the map and are happy with the coverage that Vodafone offers, great! But a Vodafone plan isn’t your only option.

Quite a few smaller providers actually use the same network as Vodafone. These are called Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and they give you similar access to the Vodafone network for a cheaper rate due to lower overheads and fewer extras. This means their basic plans are usually cheaper than opting for the big brand telcos.

In fact, every single mobile phone provider uses one of Big Three networks: Vodafone, Optus, and Telstra. No matter which telco you choose as your provider, you’re guaranteed to get the same network coverage as one of the Big Three.

As you can see below, there are plenty of plans available that all use the Vodafone network:

Vodafone network providers 2026

WhistleOut monitors the plans of nine MVNOs on the Vodafone network. They are:

For basic phone plans, MVNOs are a more affordable choice. But if you’re looking for perks, like international roaming and entertainment extras, then choosing Vodafone, Optus or Telstra is the better option.

And here are some of the cheapest plans in our database offered by these Vodafone MVNOs:

#1	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick	Lyca Mobile Editor's Pick Unlimited Plan S 50GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $15 for first 6 renewals when you activate this plan. Offer ends 31.12.26. T&Cs apply $15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	iiNet	iiNet 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 30GB Small Plan 30GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $15/mth for first 6 months, then $30/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Link not supplied	$15.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Small Monthly Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$23.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $25 SIM Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $15/mth for first 3 mths, then $30/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply $30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$30.00 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site

What you need to know about Vodafone 5G

Vodafone has the smallest 5G network in Australia. It says its 5G is available at more than 3,400 sites around Australia, but doesn't say how much of the population is covered.

Since the three main telcos talk about 5G coverage in different ways, a good yardstick is Opensignal's Mobile Network Experience report from October 2024. This compares geographical (not population) coverage of populated areas.

Out of 10 for 5G coverage, Opensignal gave Telstra a score of 9.5, Optus 8.3, and Vodafone 6.4.

Opensignal recorded other scores such as download speed, which Optus won with an average of 209Mbps, versus Telstra's 178Mbps, and Vodafone's 163Mbps.

Vodafone expects to finish building its 5G network in 2026, with it ultimately covering between 81% and 90% of the Australian population.

5G is available on every Vodafone mobile plan, across both postpaid and prepaid. Here are some postpaid Vodafone SIM-only plans:

#1	Vodafone	Vodafone $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 Go to Site	$45.00/mth Min. cost $45	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $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 Go to Site	$50.00/mth Min. cost $50	Go to Site
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone $78 Large SIM Only Plan 420GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes $23/mth off plan fees for first 12 months when you stay connected to this plan. Ends 29.10.26. T&Cs apply. $55.00/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55.00/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site

And here are Vodafone's prepaid plans:

#1	Vodafone	Vodafone $13 Prepaid Plus Recharge 5GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 1GB extra data on every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge $13.00 Per 7 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$13.00 Per 7 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $40 Prepaid Plus Recharge 90GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 60GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + $5 off with every Automatic Recharge $40.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$40.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone $50 Prepaid Plus Recharge 120GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 80GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + $5 off with every Automatic Recharge $50.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$50.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Vodafone	Vodafone $60 Prepaid Plus Recharge 165GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 110GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + $5 off with every Automatic Recharge $60.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$60.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	Vodafone	Vodafone $180 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack 160GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $180 SIM for $119 + 60GB bonus data on activation + Extra 30GB on every Automatic Recharge $119.00 Per 185 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$119.00 Per 185 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	Vodafone	Vodafone $350 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack 350GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $350 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack discounted to $219 + Incl. 100GB bonus data on activation + Extra 100GB on every Auto Recharge $219.00 Per 365 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$219.00 Per 365 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#7	Vodafone	Vodafone $250 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack 225GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 75GB bonus data on activation + Extra 50GB on every Automatic Recharge $250.00 Per 365 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$250.00 Per 365 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

Vodafone also offer 5G home internet as an NBN alternative.

5G Home Internet Plus Plan

5G Home Internet 50/16 Mbps
Unlimited Data
Deal: Includes $15/mth off for first 12 mths + Save $10/mth when you already have a mobile phone plan with Vodafone

$55/mth

Min. cost $55

Link not supplied

$55/mth

Min. cost $55

Link not supplied

Looking for a new NBN plan?

These are the most popular NBN 50 plans with WhistleOut users this week:

#1	Dodo Editor's Pick	Dodo All Fixed Line nbn® Editor's Pick nbn50 Unlimited Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $30/mth discount for 6 months based on the standard price $87.99/mth. Ends 08.12.26. T&Cs apply. $57.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $87.99/mth Min. cost $57.99 Go to Site*	$57.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $87.99/mth Min. cost $57.99	Go to Site
#2	amaysim	amaysim All Fixed Line nbn® NBN50 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Special Intro Offer - Includes $10/mth off for the first 6 months, $75/mth for first 6 months, then $85/mth $75/mth for first 6 mths, then $85/mth Min. cost $75 Go to Site	$75/mth for first 6 mths, then $85/mth Min. cost $75	Go to Site
#3	Belong	Belong All Fixed Line nbn® NBN Standard Plus – Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $36 off for 6 months - $55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth (Offer ends 04.11.26) + Free $80 Mobile SIM $55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth Min. cost $55 Go to Site	$55/mth for first 6 mths, then $91/mth Min. cost $55	Go to Site
#4	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom All Fixed Line nbn® Value Plus NBN 50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $25/mth off for the first 6 mths, $64.90/month for first 6 months, then $89.90/month. $64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90 Go to Site	$64.90/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.90/mth Min. cost $64.90	Go to Site
#5	Superloop	Superloop All Fixed Line nbn® Extra-value nbn50/20 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $20/mth off for 6 months! $69/mth for 6 mths, then $89/mth + Bundle & Save $69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69 Go to Site	$69/mth for first 6 mths, then $89/mth Min. cost $69	Go to Site
#6	TPG	TPG All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Unlimited Plan All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. T&Cs apply. $69.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $69.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $69.99	Link not supplied
#7	iiNet	iiNet All Fixed Line nbn® nbn50 Liimitless All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Includes $20/mth off for 6 mths – $69.99/mth for first 6 months, then $89.99/mth. Use code SAVE20FOR6 $69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99 Link not supplied	$69.99/mth + $10 Upfront for first 6 mths, then $89.99/mth Min. cost $79.99	Link not supplied
#8	Kogan Internet	Kogan Internet All Fixed Line nbn® Silver Unlimited All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $11/mth off for 12mths. $69.90/mth for first 12 months then revert back to $80.90/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $69.90/mth for first 12 mths, then $80.90/mth Min. cost $69.90 Go to Site	$69.90/mth for first 12 mths, then $80.90/mth Min. cost $69.90	Go to Site
#9	Flip	Flip All Fixed Line nbn® Unlimited Family nbn50 All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Incl. $16.90/mth off for 6 months - $68/mth for first 6mths then $84.90/mth. New customers only. Ends 31.10.26. T&Cs apply. $68/mth for first 6 mths then $84.90/mth Min. cost $68 Go to Site	$68/mth for first 6 mths then $84.90/mth Min. cost $68	Go to Site
#10	Vodafone	Vodafone All Fixed Line nbn® Essential+ nbn® All Fixed Line nbn® nbn® 50/17 Mbps Unlimited Data Deal: Save $10/mth when you bundle with a mobile plan with Vodafone. T&Cs apply. $94/mth Min. cost $94 Link not supplied	$94/mth Min. cost $94	Link not supplied

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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