What mobile plan speed do you need?

Alex Choros - Managing Editor + Group Telco Editor

Last updated 02 December 2024

Contents

In this guide:

20Mbps mobile plans
100Mbps - 150Mbps mobile plans
250Mbps mobile plans
Uncapped mobile plans

Mobile plans are changing. There's now a large number of phone plans in Australia that have a speed limit, or speed cap. That is, a maximum speed they're capable of.

This is a big shift in the way that mobile plans are sold, and makes them similar to the NBN. You're not just picking a data allowance, you're picking your speed too.

This is a brave new world for mobile plans, so we're taking a look at the main speeds on offer to help you work out which is right for you.

What are Mbps?

Mbps stands for megabits per second, and is a universal method used to measure how fast data travels along the network. More Mbps means a faster connection, less means a slower one.

20Mbps mobile plans

20Mbps mobile plans are the slowest you'll get in Australia, but this speed is offered by just one provider: felix mobile. felix has a plan where you genuinely get unlimited data, but the catch is the 20Mbps speed cap.

While 20Mbps is slower than the speeds 4G is capable of (at least 50Mbps in metro areas), it's still fast enough for almost everything you'd want to do on your phone. You won't have any issues scrolling through socials or streaming video.

20Mbps might feel a bit slow if you're regularly downloading apps on the go or using your phone as a portable hotspot.

Here is felix's unlimited plan plan:

felix Unlimited Mobile Plan

Unlimited data at download speeds up to 40Mbps
On the Vodafone 5G/4G Mobile Network
Deal: Get 50% off your first 3 mths when you switch to felix. $20/mth for first 3 mths, then $40/mth. Use promo code FELIX50. T+Cs apply

$40.00

Per 1 Month Renewal

Go to Site

$40.00

Per 1 Month Renewal

Go to Site

100Mbps - 150Mbps mobile plans

100Mbps and 150Mbps plans have become the standard for almost every provider powered by the Telstra network. Cheaper plans from telcos like Superloop, Exetel, and Everyday Mobile are all subject to a 100Mbps speed cap.

You can get a little more speed by opting for a prepaid plan from Telstra, Belong, Boost Mobile, Tangerine, or More. Most of these plans are capped to 150Mbps.

Optus also limits the majority of its prepaid plans to 150Mbps. On the Optus MVNO front, Southern Phone's 5G SIM-only plans and all of amaysim's plans are capped at 100Mbps, as are most Swoop and Moose Mobile plans. Aussie Broadband and Yomojo have faster 150Mbps plans available.

These plans have speeds equivalent to or faster than an NBN 100 plan, making them plenty fast for almost any mobile use case - especially given you're typically only using your phone for one thing at a time.

If you see a plan with speeds capped to 100Mbps or 150Mbps, don't be put off by this. It will still be more than fast enough for anything you can do on your phone.

Here's a selection of plans with either a 100Mbps or 150Mbps speed cap:

#1	SpinTel Editor's Pick	SpinTel Editor's Pick $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	OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 22GB 22GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $12.50 - Get 22GB for only $12.50 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $25/22GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$12.50 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	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 Link not supplied	$14.00/mth Min. cost $14	Link not supplied
#4	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
#5	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
#6	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
#7	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
#8	Yomojo	Yomojo Starter 29GB Plan 29GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$24.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#9	Dodo	Dodo Small Mobile Plan 25GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas (exc NT) with a 5G device $25.00/mth Min. cost $25 Go to Site	$25.00/mth Min. cost $25	Go to Site
#10	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

250Mbps mobile plans

250Mbps plans have become a "premium" option on Telstra-powered providers, as well as the speed cap on Telstra's entry-level Upfront plan. Optus' most expensive 28-day prepaid recharge also has a 250Mbps speed cap, as do the most expensive recharges from iiNet and TPG.

In general, most of us won't benefit from upgrading from a 100Mbps or 150Mbps plan to a 250Mbps plan - at least in terms of speed. The main reason we'd take the higher speed plan is if you also need the larger data allowance it comes with.

Mobile broadband plans on smaller Telstra network providers also tend to be capped to 250Mbps.

Here's a selection of mobile plans with a 250Mbps speed cap:

#1	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
#2	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 Link not supplied	$22.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	EZEE Mobile	EZEE Mobile 160GB Mobile SIM Plan 160GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Uses part of the Telstra 5G Mobile Network in selected areas $55.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$55.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Belong	Belong 160GB Mobile Plan 220GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps 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. $59.00/mth Min. cost $59 Link not supplied	$59.00/mth Min. cost $59	Link not supplied
#5	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $59 Mobile Plan 175GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $59.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$59.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $59 Prepaid 105GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 105GB data on first 6 recharges, then 55GB from 7th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 02.11.26 $59.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$59.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#7	Aussie Broadband	Aussie Broadband Premium 5G SIM Plan 180GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $60.00/mth Min. cost $60 Link not supplied	$60.00/mth Min. cost $60	Link not supplied
#8	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile $60 SIM Only 165GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps 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 $60.00/mth Min. cost $60 Link not supplied	$60.00/mth Min. cost $60	Link not supplied
#9	Tangerine Telecom	Tangerine Telecom 160GB 5G Mobile SIM 160GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks Deal: 50% off plan fees for 4 months - $30/mth for 4 months then $60/mth. Offer available until withdrawn. $60.00/mth Min. cost $30 Go to Site	$60.00/mth Min. cost $30	Go to Site
#10	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Max 5G Plan 160GB data at download speeds up to 250Mbps 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 $60.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$60.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

Uncapped mobile plans

Until recently, uncapped plans were the industry standard. An uncapped plan allows download speeds as fast as your network type and network coverage allow. For example, we've seen speeds over 1Gbps on the Telstra 5G network.

The speeds you get on an uncapped plan will depend on your provider, your coverage, and your device. While an uncapped Telstra plan can get stupidly fast speeds on 5G, an uncapped plan from Vodafone with a 4G-only device might only get you speeds as fast as 100Mbps, for example.

If you're picking between a plan with a speed cap and an uncapped plan on the same provider, we'd typically recommend the capped plan - unless you need the extra data on offer from uncapped plan.

Here's a selection of uncapped mobile plans with at least 20GB:

#1	Pivotel	Pivotel 25GB Mobile Swift Plan 25GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Incl. 50% off - $11.45/mth for first 6 months, then $22.90/mth ongoing. Offer ends 31.10.2026. T&Cs apply. $11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45 Go to Site	$11.45/mth Min. cost $11.45	Go to Site
#2	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
#3	Coles Mobile	Coles Mobile Prepaid $25 for 28 Days 22GB data On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$25.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	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
#5	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
#6	SpinTel	SpinTel $50 Mobile Plan 200GB data Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT $50.00/mth Min. cost $50 Go to Site	$50.00/mth Min. cost $50	Go to Site
#7	Telstra	Telstra $74 Pre-Paid Mobile 155GB data Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 75GB activation bonus for first 3 recharges, 80GB from your fourth. Ends 01.01.2027 $74.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$74.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#8	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $74 Prepaid 150GB Uncapped download speed Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Get 150GB data on first 6 recharges, then 100GB from 7th recharge. New customers only. Activate by 02.11.26 $74.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$74.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#9	OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 365 Day Plan - 200GB 350GB data Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network in available areas Deal: Save $51! 350GB for $149 for the first 365 days! Recharges $200/200GB. New customers only. Offer ends 20.10.26 $149.00 Per 365 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$149.00 Per 365 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

How to check your current mobile internet speed?

You can use the tool below to find out what internet speeds you're currently receiving on your phone. Just make sure you disconnect from your WiFi so you're actually testing your mobile connection, rather than your internet.

Internet Speed Test

Is your internet fast enough? Test internet speeds at your location with a single click.

What affects mobile internet speeds?

Mobile internet speeds are far more prone to fluctuation than NBN speeds. Just because you're paying for a 100Mbps plan doesn't mean you'll see 100Mbps all the time.

By and large, two main factors impact mobile internet speeds: coverage and congestion.

If you're in a poor coverage area or too far away from a mobile tower, you're going to see slower speeds than you would in ideal conditions. Similarly, if too many people are using your mobile network of choice at the same time, you might experience slower speeds due to congestion.

The device you're using and whether you're connected to a 4G or 5G network will also impact your mobile speeds.

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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