Vodafone mobile and 5G coverage: How it compares?

By Kate Reynolds

Last updated 14 November 2023

Contents

In this guide:

Vodafone mobile network coverage
What about Vodafone MVNOs?
How does the Vodafone 5G rollout compare?
What you need to know about Vodafone 5G
Vodafone 5G devices

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. And in Australia, Vodafone can feel like a bit of an underdog out of the Big Three (Telstra and Optus being the other two). But what may be surprised to learn the Vodafone network actually reaches a whopping 96% of our population.

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 for comparison:

#1	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 25GB Small Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off - $12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#2	iiNet	iiNet 25GB Small Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off - $12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#3	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Medium - 365 Day Flex Plan 200GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 200GB data for only $190 on the Medium 365 Day Flex Plan. Offer ends 30.11.25 $190 Per 365 Day Renewal Go to Site	$190 Per 365 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#4	felix mobile	felix mobile felix 25GB Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $12.50/mth for first 3 mths, then $25/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T&Cs apply $25 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$25 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Vodafone	Vodafone $49 Small SIM Only Plan 100GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply. $39/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#6	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $19.90 Extra Small Plan 10GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: $19.90 SIM for $8 online until 04.05.25 New customers only. T&Cs apply. $19.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$19.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

Vodafone mobile network coverage

Vodafone's website has coverage maps, where you can compare it's 3G, 4G and 5G coverage. A suburb is represented, however, as a rather broad umbrella. So just because a suburb has 5G doesn't mean all of it has 5G.

However, by using WhistleOut's interactive coverage checker tool, you can also compare 5G coverage to 4G and 3G coverage 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 and 3G 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 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 even the Vodafone network can't reach. So even though its maps generally colour in whole suburbs, you shouldn't expect coverage to completely blanket the entire area shown.

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

To compare, Optus reaches a 98.5% of the population, and Telstra's coverage reaches 99.6%. So while Vodafone might have the smallest reach of Australia's three major networks, it’s still a sizeable amount of coverage.

The 4% who don’t get Vodafone coverage tend to be in rural areas, rather than big cities and regional hubs. So if you’re living in or travelling to a fairly well-populated area, then you should be right as rain with Vodafone coverage.

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 less 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 fall under the 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 2024

At the time of writing, WhistleOut monitors the plans of 5 major MVNOs that use the Vodafone network. These providers 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 with a 28 to 30-day expiry:

#1	iiNet	iiNet 25GB Small Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off - $12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#2	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 25GB Small Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: 50% off - $12.50/mth for first 6 months, then $25/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$12.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#3	iiNet	iiNet 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#4	TPG Editor's Pick	TPG Editor's Pick 50GB Medium Plan 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: 50% off - $17.50/mth for first 6 months, then $35/mth ongoing. Available until withdrawn. T&Cs apply. $17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#5	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $19.90 Extra Small Plan 10GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: $19.90 SIM for $8 online until 04.05.25 New customers only. T&Cs apply. $19.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$19.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Kogan Mobile Editor's Pick	Kogan Mobile Editor's Pick Small Monthly Plan 15GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network $20 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$20 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#7	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 Go to Site	$22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#8	TPG	TPG 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 Go to Site	$22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site
#9	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $24.90 Small Plan 40GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Includes 15GB bonus data for first 3 recharges + 200 bonus std mins to selected countries when you activate by 11.08.25 $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#10	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Medium Monthly Plan 40GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 50GB for $10 for first month (includes $15 off + 10GB bonus data), then 40GB for $25 thereafter, valid until 27.04.25 $25 Per 1 Month Renewal Go to Site	$25 Per 1 Month Renewal	Go to Site

What you need to know about Vodafone 5G

At this stage, Vodafone has the youngest 5G network in Australia, and as such, the smallest amount of coverage so far. In our testing, we found the Vodafone 5G network to be the most inconsistent. Download speeds can range as high as 500Mbps, but as low as 40Mbps.

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

#1	Vodafone	Vodafone $49 Small SIM Only Plan 100GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 100GB for $39 (incl. 50GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $49 Small plan. T&Cs apply. $39/mth Min. cost $39 Go to Site	$39/mth Min. cost $39	Go to Site
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $59 Medium SIM Only Plan 360GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 360GB for $49 (incl. 180GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $59 Medium plan. T&Cs apply. $49/mth Min. cost $49 Go to Site	$49/mth Min. cost $49	Go to Site
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone $69 Large SIM Only Plan 720GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 720GB for $59 (incl. 360GB bonus + $10/mth off) on the $69 Large plan. T&Cs apply. $59/mth Min. cost $59 Go to Site	$59/mth Min. cost $59	Go to Site

And here are Vodafone's prepaid plans:

#1	Vodafone	Vodafone $35 Prepaid Plus Recharge 25GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get $5 off every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge $35 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$35 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	Vodafone	Vodafone $45 Prepaid Plus Recharge 35GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get $5 off every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge $45 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$45 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	Vodafone	Vodafone $55 Prepaid Plus Recharge 50GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get $5 off every Automatic Recharge when you opt-in to Automatic Recharge $55 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$55 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Vodafone	Vodafone $160 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack 140GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $160 SIM for $119 + 50GB bonus data on activation + Extra 30GB on every Automatic Recharge $119 Per 185 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$119 Per 185 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	Vodafone	Vodafone $320 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack 320GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $320 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack discounted to $199 + Incl. 100GB bonus data for 3 recharges + Extra 100GB on every Auto Recharge $199 Per 365 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$199 Per 365 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	Vodafone	Vodafone $250 Prepaid Plus Starter Pack 220GB data Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 70GB bonus data on activation + Extra 50GB on every Automatic Recharge $250 Per 365 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$250 Per 365 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

Vodafone also offer 5G-powered home internet solutions.

How does the Vodafone 5G rollout compare?

Telstra's 5G network coverage now includes over 85% of the Australian population, with the goal of hitting 95% of the population in 2025. Coverage spans Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart.

Optus' 5G network coverage has 1,000 live sites that cover over 1.4 million households in Australia, and coverage is available in a number of locations, including parts of Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Vodafone's 5G network coverage is smaller than Telstra and Optus but the carrier's 5G footprint is available in over 2,500 suburbs across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Perth, the Gold Coast, the Central Coast, Wollongong, and the Sunshine Coast. Vodafone also plans to upgrade approximately 250 sites to 5G in non-metro areas as well. This means the Vodafone 5G network will end up covering between 81% and 90% of the Australian population.

Vodafone expects to finish building its 5G network in 2026.

Vodafone 5G devices

As 5G is rolled out across the country, Vodafone is no exception. You can compare the 5G speeds of Optus, Telstra and Vodafone here.

The following 5G devices are available through Vodafone. As you can see, as is the case with other telcos, there are a number of iPhone and Samsung Galaxy options available:

Samsung