Exetel the first telco in Australia to offer just eSIM for mobile plans

Dylan Crismale - Digital Content Editor

Last updated 29 September 2025

Nearly three months after reducing its NBN plan range to just "One Plan" Exetel has now done the same to its mobile range. The new plan is only available as eSIM, making Exetel the first mobile provider in Australia to stop offering physical SIM cards. This means you'll need an eSIM-capable device if you want to sign up to Exetel's mobile plan.

eSIM (or embedded SIM) is built into newer phones, usually alongside a physical SIM card tray. Most flagship devices from the last few years support new eSIM technology and support physical SIMs. This includes most iPhone models, Google Pixel, and Samsung devices.

Notably, the new iPhone Air launched in Australia as eSIM only. While iPhones in the United States have been eSIM only since the iPhone 14, iPhone 17 models sold in Australia still have physical SIMs.

You can quickly check if your phone is eSIM-enabled by entering "*#06#" on your device's phone keypad. If your phone supports eSIM, it will display a 32-digit EID number.

One of the key differences with eSIM is you can't just pop the SIM card out to put it in a new phone. The procedure may vary from provider to provider. To transfer your Exetel eSIM to another device, you'll first need to install the Exetel app on your new device, log in and follow the instructions while connected over WiFi.

So what does the new plan look like? After a refresh in July, Exetel was offering just one 4G mobile plan for $20 per 30-day recharge and one 5G option at $40 per 30-day recharge. The 4G plan has been effectively subsumed into the 5G plan, which has seen an increase in data.

The new Plus One plan comes with 5G connectivity on the Telstra wholesale network, 100GB of data with speeds capped to 150Mbps and a 1,000GB data bank, all for $40 with a 30-day prepaid recharge cycle. This does mean you're looking at recharging a total of 13 times across a year, however.

Exetel confirmed to WhistleOut that existing customers can remain on their legacy plans if they so choose. However, if they wish to migrate to the new plan, they'll need to order it separately via the website. Exetel does plan to include a migration pathway in the future.

Telstra's wholesale network covers 98.8% of the Australian population, second only to the 99.7% coverage you'll get on a Telstra or Boost Mobile plan. As such, Telstra MVNO plans tend to be more expensive than those on the Optus or Vodafone networks.

Here's a look at its new plan:

Plus One eSIM Plan

130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps
Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks

$40.00

Per 30 Day Renewal

Go to Site

$40.00

Per 30 Day Renewal

Go to Site

And here's how it compares to other prepaid plans in WhistleOut's database with at least 40GB of data on the Telstra network:

#1	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $34 Mobile Plan 45GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $34.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$34.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#2	Everyday Mobile	Everyday Mobile Pre-paid Mobile $35 Recharge 50GB 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 $35.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$35.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $39 Mobile Plan 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $39.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$39.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#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	Exetel	Exetel Plus One eSIM Plan 130GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#6	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Choice 5G Plan 75GB 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 $40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$40.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#7	Telstra	Telstra $44 Pre-Paid Mobile 50GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 30GB activation bonus for first 3 recharges, 20GB from your fourth. Ends 01.01.2027 $44.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$44.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#8	ALDI mobile	ALDI mobile $49 Mobile Plan 120GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Uses parts of Telstra’s 5G and 4G mobile networks $49.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$49.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#9	Boost Mobile	Boost Mobile $49 Prepaid 75GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Telstra 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Online only. Grab a $49 SIM for $17 – save $32. Hurry! Offer ends 19.10.26. Terms Apply $49.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Go to Site	$49.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#10	Superloop	Superloop SuperSim Plus 5G Plan 130GB 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 $50.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$50.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site

At a glance, it might be hard to pick a winner plan, but if we look at the value per GB of data then Exetel's new plan is a strong contender. With 100GB for $40 per recharge, you're looking at a low $0.40 per GB. Anything less than a dollar per GB is generally good value, but the lower the better. If you don't need that much data, then ALDI's plan tracks as a close second. It also has data rollover (with no cap) and has a $0.52 per GB value.

As we've mentioned, Optus and Vodafone network plans tend to be cheaper. Here's a look at prepaid plans on these networks with at least 40GB of data:

#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 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 Link not supplied	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#3	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 Link not supplied	$17.50 Per 1 Month Renewal	Link not supplied
#4	Lyca Mobile	Lyca Mobile Unlimited Plan M 120GB data at download speeds up to 100Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: $20 for first 6 renewals + includes 40GB bonus data on activation and first 11 renewals. Offer ends 31.12.26 $20.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$20.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#5	OnePass mobile	OnePass mobile 28 Day Plan - 65GB 65GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Optus 5G in selected areas with 5G devices ex. NT Deal: Save $20 - Get 65GB for only $20 for the first 6 recharges! Recharges $40/65GB. New customers only. T&Cs apply $20.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$20.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#6	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
#7	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
#8	Kogan Mobile	Kogan Mobile Medium Monthly Plan 60GB data On the Vodafone 4G Mobile Network Deal: Get 60GB for $12 (includes $13 off for first month + 20GB bonus data for 3 months), then 40GB for $25 thereafter, valid until 11.10.26 $29.00 Per 30 Day Renewal Go to Site	$29.00 Per 30 Day Renewal	Go to Site
#9	Yomojo	Yomojo Essential 42GB Plan 42GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps On the Optus 4G Plus Mobile Network $29.90 Per 30 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$29.90 Per 30 Day Renewal	Link not supplied
#10	Lebara Mobile	Lebara Mobile $30 SIM Plan 70GB data at download speeds up to 150Mbps Vodafone 5G Network in selected areas with 5G devices Deal: Includes 35GB bonus data for first 3 recharges when you activate by 03.11.26 $30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal Link not supplied	$30.00 Per 28 Day Renewal	Link not supplied

Out of these plans, it's TPG or iiNet's 100GB plans that have the best value per GB at just $0.22 per GB, while the plan is priced at $22.50 for the first six months and then $0.45 per GB once you're paying the full ongoing price of $45 per month.

While these plans come with download speeds up to 250Mbps, they don't come with data rollover, making Exetel the better option.

Editor's note 30 September: We updated this story after confirming that existing Exetel customers can remain on their current plans.

Dylan Crismale

Digital Content Editor

Dylan Crismale is a Digital Content Editor at WhistleOut, has been writing for almost a decade across a variety of Australian publications. He previously worked as a writer at Finder covering energy, internet and mobile plans. Dylan is passionate about finding the best deals to save people money and educating people about tech. When he's not sat at his desk Dylan loves working out, bingeing TV and hanging out with friends.

Read full bio